A Reflection on a Distinctive Statement by Imam Khomeini: Gabriel Also Descended Upon Fatimah al-Zahra After the Prophet

On the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet’s esteemed daughter and the birth anniversary of Imam Khomeini, we asked about the belief that Gabriel also descended upon Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) during those 75 or 90 days.

Asr-e Iran – On the birth anniversary of the esteemed daughter of the Noble Prophet of Islam and the birth anniversary of the late leader of the Revolution, we asked about this statement by Imam Khomeini that after the passing of the Prophet and during the 75 days that Her Holiness Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) lived in this world in the absence of her father, Gabriel also descended upon her. Given that the esteemed lady of Islam did not hold the station of prophethood, how did the descent of the angel of revelation occur?

The response of the professor of advanced jurisprudence and principles at the Qom Seminary and the director of the Contemporary Jurisprudence Research Institute to this question is as follows:

Yes, the Imam stated that among all the virtues mentioned for Her Holiness Zahra (peace be upon her), the highest virtue is the coming and going of Gabriel to Her Holiness Zahra during the 75 days after the passing of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). He says this is the highest virtue. Because Gabriel, who only descended upon the great divine prophets and frequented them, would come to her.

He states: “I have not seen this happen for any of the Imams.” The Imam cites a narration in Al-Kafi. He says that Gabriel going to the presence of Her Holiness Zahra is not possible except through the proportionality and affinity of the spirit of Her Holiness Zahra with the Greatest Spirit (meaning Gabriel) and connection with it; meaning, if there were no proportionality between the spirit of Fatimah al-Zahra and the Greatest Spirit, this would not have happened.

What is more interesting is that he says: “Even here there is a difference of opinion as to whether God commanded him to go to Fatimah al-Zahra and speak with her, to inform her of the future and tell her matters about the future (which Amir al-Mu’minin would write down; meaning Fatimah al-Zahra would dictate and Amir al-Mu’minin would write it), or whether it was by the will of Her Holiness Zahra herself that she would bring Gabriel down to a lower realm.” The Imam says: “The literalists say God commanded him, but the researchers believe that Her Holiness Zahra (peace be upon her) herself would bring Gabriel down; meaning she would will it, and this would happen.” What does this mean? This means that Her Holiness Zahra holds a position and status in the universe, and her spirit is so expansive and great, or more accurately, she possesses such spiritual greatness and spiritual power that she can do this, even though she is a servant among the servants of God. One should not consider it improbable; when ascetics acquire extraordinary powers with a little asceticism, someone like Fatimah al-Zahra with that great spirit is incomparable, therefore it should not be considered improbable.

Despite all this, it must not be forgotten that she is a human being and an earthly creature with all the natural needs of a human being, and for this very reason, she can be a role model. Angels can never be role models for human beings, because they do not comprehend matter and material inclinations. I said this to make it clear that such spiritual power in the existence of a human being is a sign of the unimaginable capabilities of a human being, and for this reason, some human beings are referred to as the “perfect human.”