View source for Mushaf of Fatima (a)

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What is the Book of Fatimah (Mushaf of Fatimah)? Is it also known as the "Sister of the Qur'an"?
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'''The Book of Fatimah''' or '''Mushaf of Fatimah''' is a compilation dictated to [[Lady Fatimah (PBUH)]] by the [[angel Gabriel]] after the demise of the [[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]], and transcribed by [[Imam Ali (PBUH)]]. According to narrations, the existence of this book is undisputed.

References to ''Mushaf of Fatimah'' are found in early [[Shi'a]] sources, such as ''[[Basa'ir al-Darajat]]'' and ''[[al-Kafi]]''. These narrations assert that the book has remained exclusively with the [[Imams of the Shi'a (PBUT)]] and has never been accessible to others. The most extensive discussions of this book appear in ''[[Bihar al-Anwar]]'' by [[Allama Majlisi]] in the sections addressing the knowledge of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT)]].

The contents of ''Mushaf of Fatimah'' reportedly include future events and the destinies of Fatimah's progeny. While the existence of this book is widely accepted within Shi'a traditions, variations and occasional contradictions in the narrations regarding its details have led to differing scholarly interpretations. Furthermore, no reliable source confirms that this book has been referred to as the "Sister of the Qur'an."

== Description and Characteristics ==
The narrations of [[the Ahl al-Bayt (PBUT)]] speak of Mushaf of Fatimah as a divinely inspired book.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād, Mohammad-‘Ali. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S),” in Dāneshnāme-ye Fātimī, ed. by ‘Ali-Akbar Roshad. Vol. 3, p. 64. Tehran: Intishārāt-e Puzhuheshgāh-e Farhang va Andishe-ye Eslāmī, 1393 SH.</ref> Some of these narrations are considered authentic, solidifying the consensus on its existence.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād, Mohammad-‘Ali. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S),” in Dāneshnāme-ye Fātimī, ed. by ‘Ali-Akbar Roshad. Vol. 3, p. 64. Tehran: Intishārāt-e Puzhuheshgāh-e Farhang va Andishe-ye Eslāmī, 1393 SH.</ref> One reliable narration, attributed to [[Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (PBUH)]], describes the book as having been dictated during the 75 days following [[the Prophet's]] passing.<ref>Kulaynī, Mohammad b. Ya‘qûb. Al-Kāfī. Vol. 1, pp. 599–600. Qom: Dār al-Hadīth, 1429 H.</ref>

The earliest references to Mushaf of Fatimah are found in [[Basa'ir al-Darajat]]<ref>Safār Qummī, Mohammad b. al-Hasan. Basā’ir al-Darajāt fī Fazā’il āl Mohammad (S), ed. by Mohsen b. ‘Abbās‘alī Kuche-Bāghī. pp. 170–181. Qom: Maktabat āyat Allāh al-Mar‘ashī al-Najafī, 1404 H.</ref> and [[al-Kafi]].<ref>Al-Kulaynī. Al-Kāfī. Vol. 1, pp. 592–602.</ref> [[Allama Majlisi]] has provided the most extensive treatment of these narrations in [[Bihar al-Anwar]].<ref>Majlisī, Mohammad-Bāqir. Bihār al-Anwār al-Jāmi‘a li Durar Akhbār al-A’imma al-Athār. Vol. 26, p. 49. Beirut: Mu’assasat al-Wafā’, 1403 H.</ref> According to the narrations, the book is said to be three times the size of the [[Qur'an]] and remains preserved with the [[Imams of the Shi'a (PBUT)]].<ref>Kulaynī, Mohammad b. Ya‘qûb. Al-Kāfī. Vol. 1, p. 593. Qom: Dār al-Hadīth, 1429 H.</ref>

Differences in the content and interpretation of narrations about Mushaf of Fatimah, including apparent contradictions, have led to varied scholarly assessments of its specifics.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 65.</ref>

== The Scribe and the Dictator ==
There are differing reports about who dictated the contents of Mushaf of Fatimah. Various narrations mention [[God]], an [[angel]], [[Gabriel]], or even the [[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]] as the source.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 68.</ref> [[Allama Majlisi]] reconciles these reports<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 72.</ref>, suggesting that references to the Prophet might implicitly mean Gabriel.<ref>Majlisī, Mohammad-Bāqir. Bihār al-Anwār al-Jāmi‘a li Durar Akhbār al-A’imma al-Athār. Vol. 26, p. 42.</ref> Shi'a scholars, including [[Sayyid Muhsin Amin]]<ref>Amīn, Mohsen. A‘yān al-Shī‘a. Vol. 1, p. 357. Beirut: Dār al-Ta‘āruf lil-Matbû‘āt, 1403 H.</ref>, [[Sayyid Jafar Murtada Amili]]<ref>‘āmilī, Ja‘far Mortazā. Masā’at al-Zahrā (S): Shubuhāt wa Rudûd. Vol. 1, p. 116. Beirut: Dār al-Sīra, 1418 H.</ref> , and [[Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah]]<ref>Hāshimī, Hāshim. Hiwār ma‘ Fadl-Allāh hawl al-Zahrā (S). p. 151. Beirut: Dār al-Hudā, 1422 H.</ref>, have offered further harmonization of these views.

All Shi'a scholars and narrations unanimously agree that Imam Ali (PBUH) served as the scribe of this book.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 73.</ref>

== Contents ==
The contents of Mushaf of Fatimah reportedly include:
* The status of the [[Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]] and the future of Fatimah’s progeny.<ref>Al-Saffār al-Qummī. Basā’ir al-Darajāt fī Fazā’il āl Mohammad (S), p. 174.</ref>
* Accounts of future events.<ref>Al-Fattāl al-Nīsābûrī, Mohammad b. Ahmad. Rawzat al-Wā‘izīn wa Basīrat al-Mutta‘izīn. Vol. 1, p. 211. Qom: Manshûrāt al-Ridā, 1375 SH.</ref>
* Names of all [[the prophets]], their successors, and their stories.<ref>Majlisī, Mohammad-Bāqir. Bihār al-Anwār al-Jāmi‘a li Durar Akhbār al-A’imma al-Athār. Vol. 26, p. 18.</ref>
* The names of all kings and rulers until the [[Day of Judgment]].<ref>Al-Fattāl al-Nīsābûrī. Rawzat al-Wā‘izīn wa Basīrat al-Mutta‘izīn. Vol. 1, p. 211.</ref>
* Shi'a scholar [[Abdul Husayn Sharaf al-Din]] mentions additional contents such as parables, wisdom, and admonitions<ref>Sharaf al-Dīn, ‘Abd al-Hussain. Al-Murāja‘āt. p. 603. Qom: Al-Majma‘ al-‘ālamī li Ahl al-Bayt (S), 1426 H.</ref>, though this view has been disputed by some researchers.<ref>Hāshimī. Hiwār ma‘ Fadl-Allāh hawl al-Zahrā (S), p. 172.</ref> 
* Others argue, based on narrations<ref>Kulaynī. Al-Kāfī. Vol. 7, pp. 37–41.</ref>, that the book contains detailed religious rulings and legal codes.<ref>Qazvīnī, Mohammad-Kāzem. Fātima al-Zahrā (S) min al-Mahd ilā al-Lahd. pp. 96. N.p.: N.p., n.d.</ref>) [[Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlallah]] supports this, equating Kitab of Fatimah with Mushaf of Fatimah.<ref>Hāshimī. Hiwār ma‘ Fadl-Allāh hawl al-Zahrā (S), p. 167.</ref> However, some scholars believe Kitab of Fatimah refers to another text, possibly associated with [[Fatimah bint al-Husayn (PBUH)]].<ref>Hāshimī. Hiwār ma‘ Fadl-Allāh hawl al-Zahrā (S), p. 181.</ref>
* Shi'a academic [[Sayyid Husayn Modarresi Tabataba'i]] has proposed that the book primarily comprises esoteric Shi'a ideas<ref>Modaresi Tabatabai, Hossein. Mirath-e Maktub-e Shia, p. 41.</ref>, though this interpretation has faced criticism.<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 82.</ref>
No reliable source supports the notion that Mushaf of Fatimah is referred to as the "Sister of the Qur'an."

== Controversies Surrounding Mushaf of Fatimah ==
Certain Orientalists and Sunni scholars, including Ignaz Goldziher<ref>Goldziher, Ignaz. Gerāyesh-hā-ye Tafsīrī dar Mīyān-e Mosalmānān, intro. by Seyyed Mohammad-‘Ali Ayāzī, trans. by Seyyed Nāser Tabātabā’ī. p. 256–257. Tehran: Intishārāt-e Qoqnûs, 1383 SH.</ref> and Abdullah al-Qasimi, have misconstrued the use of "Mushaf" in the title to claim that Shi'as believe in an alternate [[Qur'an]].<ref>‘Amīdī, Thāmer Hāshim Habīb. Difā‘ ‘an al-Kāfī: Dirāsa Naqdīya Muqārana li Aham al-Tu‘ûn wa al-Shubuhāt al-Muthāra Hawl Kitāb al-Kāfī li al-Sheikh al-Kulaynī. Vol. 2, p. 353. Qom: Markaz al-Ghadīr lil-Dirāsāt al-Islāmīya, 1415 H.</ref> Shi'a scholars refute this by asserting that Mushaf of Fatimah contains no Qur'anic verses<ref>Mahdavī-Rād. “Mushaf-e Fātima (S).” Vol. 3, p. 75.</ref>, a stance supported by numerous Shi'a narrations.<ref>Al-Saffār al-Qummī. Basā’ir al-Darajāt fī Fazā’il āl Mohammad (S), p. 170. Kulaynī, Mohammad. Al-Kāfī. Vol. 1, p. 595.</ref>
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