Welcome to this week's episode of the series "Iranian Family". The superior role models of the community are an assuring source for identification and discovery of the principles and strategies of life; and abidance by them stabilizes and reinforces the foundations of family.

Family is the initial core of the community and the success of the society is tied to stability and reinforcement of family. This sacred unit can play an effective role in the growth and elevation of the society upon solidification and consolidation of its foundation.

It was said that the 1^st Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam's Household, Imam Ali (AS), and the venerable daughter of Prophet Mohammad, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) are an exemplary case of a superior Quranic family, while enumerating some of the features of their exemplary and successful life.

The behavior of this couple is one of the especial advantages of this family.  The manners of Hazrat Zahra (SA), as of her childhood, was abundant with courtesy and modesty. She maintained a highly emotional, amicable, respectful and modest bond with her infallible father, Prophet Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

Shia Muslims point out a hadith that has been cited from Hazrat Fatemeh (SA), known as the Hadith of Cloak, which refers to the virtues of the Prophet of Islam, and his Infallible Household, displaying the highly appropriate and virtuous behavior of this Quranic family. The event of the Hadith of Cloak took place at the home of the Prophet of Islam's wife, Umm-e Salamah.

Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) has been cited as saying that one day her infallible father, Prophet Mohammad approached and greeted her. She greeted him back. The Prophet of Islam went on to point out that he felt physically frail and fragile. Hazrat Fatemeh, in response, prayed for the divine protection of her infallible father, Prophet Mohammad, and his recovery.

In further remarks, Prophet Mohammad called on Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) to bring his Yemeni cloak and to cover him with it. Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) did as her father said, while glancing at the countenance of her infallible father, which was glowing like the full moon. In a short while, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) infallible son, Imam Hassan (AS) arrived, greeting his venerable mother. Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) greeted him back. In response Imam Hassan (AS) noted that he sensed a good scent from his mother, resembling the scent of his infallible grandfather, Prophet Mohammad. Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) in response pointed out that her son's grandfather, Prophet Mohammad, was under the cloak. Imam Hassan (AS) asked for the permission of his grandfather, to join the latter under the cloak. Prophet Mohammad greeted his grandson and permitted him to do so. After a while, the other infallible son of Hazrat Fatemeh (SA), Imam Hussein (AS) arrived, greeting his infallible grandfather, Prophet Mohammad, and asking for his permission to join him under the cloak. Prophet Mohammad greeted his grandson and permitted him to join him under the cloak. At this point in time, Imam Ali (AS) arrived, telling his venerable wife, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) that he sensed a good scent from her, which resembles the scent of the Prophet of Islam. Hazrat Fatemeh (SA), in response, noted that Imam Ali's infallible sons were under the cloak of the Prophet of Islam. Imam Ali greeted the Prophet of Islam, and asked for Prophet Mohammad's permission to joint them under the cloak. Prophet Mohammad permitted Imam Ali to join them under the cloak. Afterwards, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) asked for the permission of her infallible father, Prophet Mohamad, to join them under the cloak. Prophet of Islam allowed her. After five of them gathered under the cloak, Prophet Mohammad got hold of the two sides of his cloak, pointing toward the sky with his right hand, and praying for his Infallible Household … At this point in time, the Verse of Purification was descended in the honor of Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), and his Infallible Household (PBUT).

This hadith mentions five important religious figures; each of which played a highly important and fateful role in the fate of Islam and the history of the
World of Islam.  Their bond has been established within the framework of a family. The important point of this hadith is the appropriate and exemplary manners, courtesy, and modesty of the member of this virtuous family toward each other. This virtuous family consists of three generations. Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) shapes a bond between the first and second generations.

 This family has distanced itself from the era of patriarchy. The man of the house initially greets his venerable wife, and then enters the house. The infallible grandfather, Prophet Mohammad, highly honors and respects his venerable daughter, Hazrat Fatemeh (SA). This takes place in a land, where at the time girls were buried alive by their ruthless fathers.

Obviously, if members of a family abide by this appropriate manners, they would be immune from many vulnerabilities and threats, and would reinforce the foundations of family, while the community would also benefit from the presence of healthy, effective, and moralistic individuals.

MR/ME