Some lives shine beyond the pages of history, becoming spiritual beacons that illuminate hearts across generations. For Shia Muslims, Imamate is a central belief. "Imamate refers to the leadership of religion and the world, the leadership of matter and meanings. Matter refers to the politics and governance of a country, or the governance of a state." "It isn’t merely the governance of physical bodies, nor is it just the administration of people's worldly, everyday lives. It’s the management of hearts, and it’s helping souls and spirits to reach completion.[1]" "Imamate means to bring the message of prophets to fruition in the hearts of the people, in their thoughts, and in their actions and deeds. This is the meaning of Imamate." Therefore, "The appointment of the Imams by the Prophet was actually an appointment by Almighty God. It was God's will that individuals who are perfect in spirituality, religion, ethics, and virtue and who possess profound insight, courage, a self-sacrificing nature, and tender human emotions alongside spiritual stability and inner strength be placed in this position."[2]
Among this family of Imamate was Imam Musa al-Kazim (pbuh), the seventh Imam, and his daughter Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) – a woman whose life of devotion, migration, and scholarship made her a revered figure. She was the sister of the eighth Imam, Ali al-Reza (pbuh), a radiant lantern kindled by the boundless sun of the Imamate, carrying its divine light to illuminate hearts and places far and wide. And today, her birthday is commemorated in Iran as National Girls’ Day.
A spiritual legacy rooted in courage and faith
Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) lived during the oppressive rule of the Abbasids, when the Infallible Imams faced immense persecution. Despite the hostility of the era, her life reflected profound piety, scholarship, and loyalty to the Ahl al-Bayt [the Household of the Prophet (pbut)]. She emerged as a scholar of Islamic sciences and a trusted narrator of hadith. Shia historians record that Lady Fatimah Masumah ranks among the highest transmitters of hadith from her family, giving her the title of Muhaddithah (the one who transmits hadiths).[3] History records that her scholarly stature was so eminent that when a group of Muslims traveled to Medina to ask their religious questions from Imam al-Kazim (pbuh) and were unable to meet him, they instead posed their questions to this learned daughter. On their way back, when they encountered Imam al-Kazim (pbuh), they presented him with the written answers she had provided. The Imam kissed the paper and said: "May her father be her sacrifice; she is a scholar without being taught, and a knowledgeable narrator of divine wisdom."[4]
Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) was a spiritual authority in her own right. Her decision to travel from Medina to Iran’s Khorasan to join her brother in the face of political turmoil, is a demonstration of her courage and dedication to the cause of divine truth. However, she fell ill en route and passed away in Qom, where her burial site transformed the city into a spiritual and intellectual epicenter of Shia Islam.
At the time of Lady Fatimah Masumah’s (sa) migration to Iran, the political climate was extremely volatile. Ma’mun came to power after a civil war with his brother Amin, which weakened the Abbasid caliphate and created factional tensions among Abbasid loyalists and the broader Muslim populace. To stabilize his rule, Ma’mun sought to appeal to various groups, including the Shias, who were influential in regions like Khorasan. So, he forcibly summoned Imam Ali al-Reza (pbuh) from Medina to Khorasan in an attempt to consolidate his fragile rule by naming the Imam as his successor. This move was widely perceived as a political maneuver rather than a genuine endorsement of the Imam’s spiritual authority. By doing this Ma’mun aimed to legitimize his rule by associating it with the revered Infallible Imam who held significant support among the Shia community and other groups dissatisfied with Abbasid rule. The Imam's reluctant acceptance under duress created discontent among Abbasid loyalists and posed a direct challenge to the political status quo.
Against this backdrop, the migration of Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) and other family members of the Imam (pbuh) from Medina towards Khorasan was deeply significant. Their migration symbolized solidarity with the Imam and was perceived as a quiet but potent act of defiance against the Abbasid regime. The arrival of Imam Kazim’s (pbuh) descendants in Iranian cities like Qom and Shiraz strengthened the Shia presence there, laying the foundations for what would become one of the greatest centers of Shia learning in later centuries.
Contemporary scholars have affirmed the vital role of Lady Fatimah Masumah’s presence in Qom in shaping the city’s future. What was once a quiet town, transformed into a renowned center of scholarship thanks to her blessings. As Ayatollah Khamenei has accurately noted:
"Without a doubt, the role of Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) in making Qom what it is, and in elevating the grandeur of this ancient, religious, and historical city, is beyond dispute. This noble woman, this young girl nurtured in the lap of the Prophet’s Household, through her journey alongside the supporters, companions and friends of the Imams (pbut), her passing through various cities, and her sowing of the seeds of knowledge and Wilayat among the people along the way – and then arriving in this region and her settling in Qom – caused this city to shine as a primary center of the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (pbut) during that dark and oppressive era of tyrannical rule. It became a stronghold from which the lights of knowledge and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (pbut) were transmitted across the eastern and western regions of the Islamic world."
Lady Fatima Masumah’s shrine is more than just a monument. It is a sanctuary for seekers of divine proximity. Millions visit each year to recite her ziyarah (visitation prayer) – a supplication that reflects both reverence and deep theological recognition. This was the very place where the Islamic Revolution of Iran was founded. Her shrine was and continues to be the spiritual support for thousands of fighters who were martyred defending the Islamic government in Iran, and are now fighting against imperialism in West Asia region. It was also the place where prominent figures, such as Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, studied Islam and internalized its teachings, and changed the course of history.
A feminine ideal beyond time
Lady Masumah (sa) was honored with many titles: al-Ḥamīda (the praised one), al-Taqiyyah (the pious), al-Rashidah (the wise), al-Raḍhiyyah (the contented), al-Marḍhiyyah (the one with whom God is pleased), al-Ṭāhirah (the pure one), al-Siddiqah (the truthful one), and Ukht al-Reza (the sister of al-Reza). These weren’t honorary – they were reflections of a character that inspired both reverence and emulation. Her very title, Masumah (the pure one) was granted by her brother, Imam Ali al-Reza (pbuh), highlighting her spiritual stature.
She is often compared to Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (pbuh), the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), not just because of her lineage, but because she embodied the same virtues of modesty, strength, and spiritual insight.
Why National Girls’ Day?
In a modern world that often measures worth by appearance or material success, the celebration of Lady Masumah’s birth as National Girls’ Day is a cultural reminder of what truly defines dignity. She commanded no army, and held no political positions, yet through her faith, she changed the trajectory of a city and the hearts of generations.
Her example reminds us that greatness is not always loud. Sometimes, it walks quietly with God, radiating strength that does not dominate, but elevates. For young Muslim girls around the world, she offers a timeless standard – one that doesn’t fade with fashion, but grows with faith.
Islam itself honors girls with profound reverence. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "Whoever has a daughter, raises her well, and does not favor his sons over her, God will admit him to Paradise. "[5] This teaching, alongside Fatimah Masumah’s example as a scholar and a spiritual exemplar, underscores that girls are cherished as bearers of divine potential, capable of spiritual greatness equal to any man. Her life inspires Muslim girls to pursue knowledge and piety, knowing their worth is celebrated in the eyes of God.
Lady Fatimah Masumah (sa) is a window into a theology where women are not peripheral, but central to spiritual and communal elevation. Her shrine remains a lighthouse for hearts that are in search of the truth, her supplication a bridge to divine mercy, and her legacy a lesson in courage, knowledge, and unwavering devotion. For millions worldwide, she is Qom’s guiding star and the spirit of a legacy that still illuminates the way towards God.
[1] From Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech on March 3, 2002
[2] From Ayatollah Khamenei’s speech on December 29, 2007
[3] Yūsuf ‘Alī Yūsufī, Shahīdat-e Ghurbat, pp. 142–143
[4] Ṣāliḥ ibn ʿArandas al-Ḥillī. (n.d.). Kashf al-laʾālī.
[5]Mustadrak al-Wasā’il, Vol. 15, p. 118
