Imam Khomeini advised women to follow the footsteps and divine character of Hazrat Fatima; the daughter of the noble holy prophet of Islam.
The holy divine lady has been declared by Allah and His Prophet as a suitable role-model, a guiding light for salvation and a path to perfection.
“The best of your men is Ali Ibn Abu Talib, and the best of your women is Fatimah Binte Mohammad,” the holy prophet said on one of the occasion, adding that: “Fatimah is part of me, that which annoys her annoys me, and that which harms her harms me.”
According to holy prophet of Islam, “Fatima – the daughter of Islam--is the best of all women of the world (Sayyidatu Nesae Al A'lameen), and a role-model for all Muslim women.
Imam Khomeini frequently used to say that Hadrat Fatima divine personality had raised the status of women throughout the history. Imam Khomeini once said in historic remarks that the history of Islam is witness to the immense respect that the Prophet had for Hazrat Zahra which also powerfully reflects on the importance of women in society.
Allah revealed the Chapters of Kauthar, Qadr and Dahr in praise of Fatima and her progeny.
Imam Khomeini, the contemporary religious and spiritual leader, attached too much importance to birth anniversary and martyrdom occasion of Hadrat Zahra. Imam declared the birthday of Hadrat Fatima as "Woman's Day", and underscored the significance of following her divine character and practical conduct.
"This day is like the day of revival of real womanhood and the day of foundation-building for the important and respectable role, woman play in the society.”
On another occasion, addressing a group of women, Imam Khomeini described Hadrat Fatima as a divine symbol of piety and virtues.
"If you don't learn from her asceticism, piety, modesty and other virtues, you have not even understood the true essence of womanhood.", adding, "We must all try to follow in the footsteps of Hazrat Fatima and should try to learn from her piety and knowledge, especially since Allah has not limited knowledge to only a few but has made it available for all seekers. Also, each and every individual can attain to high degrees of piety, a quality that is again not limited to the elite."
Imam Khomeini frequently highlighted through his messages, speeches and works that the Muslim and other societies can attain salvation by following the teachings and character of the divine lady Fatimah and her pure progeny.
Zahra looked after her father Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam as devoutly as he used to call her “Umme Abiha”, i.e. the mother her father. The holy prophet of Islam faced very tough circumstances and conditions after the death of his wife, lady Khadijah, and his uncle Abu Talib.
Fatima used to dress the wounds sustained by her noble father due to the stones thrown on him by the non- believers who were against to the preaching of Islam.
The hostility and enmity of the foes and disbelievers became the strongest after the death of Abu Talib and Khadija.
The holy lady Fatima was the model of Prophet’s teaching among women just as her husband ‘Ali (peace be upon them) was the best embodiment of his instructions and manly qualities among men.
Her home environment was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty. She helped her husband in his worldly and religious affairs, and cooperated with him in achieving his exalted mission.
The special acts of respect by the holy prophet towards Fatima were to show the companions that her house and progeny have a special divine status in the way of Allah.
The following lines of poetry attributed to noble lady show her ordeal after the death of her holy father very clearly. “After the death of my father My sufferings were so great that if such hardships fell upon days, the days would turn into nights.”