Fatima was a special person even before she was born because she was conceived from the fruits of paradise.
The Prophet (p.b.u.h.&h.h.) says: "That before she was conceived the Arch-Angel Gabriel came down from the heavens with a plate containing a cluster of dates and a bunch of grapes ordering me to eat them.
After I ate them I was ordered to go to Khadija and thus Fatima was conceived from the fruits of paradise." Khadija was now pregnant with Fatima and as she says, it was an easy pregnancy because the embryo would speak to her from inside her womb.
Khadija did not inform the Prophet about this miraculous occurrence, but one-day when she was home alone, he found Khadija speaking to someone.
He inquired as to whom she was speaking to, she replied, "That which is in my womb, surely it speaks to me". The Prophet then cheerfully said, "Rejoice Khadija, for this is the girl whom Allah has made to be the mother of eleven of my successors who will come after me and after their father". So for the duration of the pregnancy, Fatima was comforting her mother who had been deserted by the women of Quraysh because she married the poor orphan, Mohammad.
When Fatima's delivery came near, Khadija sent for the qurayshi midwives, who still refused to help her.
But by the grace of Allah, four of the most beautiful women came to help her in this time of need, as she says, "When Fatima's delivery came near, I sent for the qurayshi midwives who refused to help me because of Mohammad.
During childbirth four ladies whose beauty and brilliance were indescribable entered the house; each one began to introduce herself.
The first one said, "I am your mother Eve". The second one said, "I am Asiya bint Muzahim, Firauns wife". The third one said, "I am Kulthum Musa's sister", and the fourth one said, "I am Mariam bint Imran, Isa's mother, we have come to deliver your child". So with the help of these heavenly ladies, Fatima was delivered.
She was born on the 20th Jamadi al-Akhir. She fell to the ground in the position of prostration and the brightness and brilliance of her face illuminated the skies from east to west, and for this reason she was named "Al-Zahra", lady of light. Al-Zahra is known by nine names, such as Fatima. She was named Fatima because she and her followers are protected from hell.
She is also Al-Siddiqa meaning she is a woman who has scrupulous honesty and sincerity, believing in the commands of Allah and his Prophet, never doubting for one moment.
She is also Al-Mubaraka, which means the blessed one because abundant blessings originated from her, such as the necklace that fed a hungry man, satisfied a poor man and freed a slave.
Jabir bin Abdullah Al-Ansari relates that an old man weak from hunger came to the Prophet and asked to be fed and clothed.
The Prophet did not have anything to give him so he sent him to Fatima's house.
When he arrived he asked the same of her, so she gave him a necklace.
He took the necklace and went to the mosque and showed the Prophet. The Prophet said, "sell it for Allah will grant you a solution to your problems because it was given to you by the Mistress of All Women.
Meanwhile Ammar bin Yasir asked the Prophet if he had permission to buy it.
The Prophet gave him permission so Ammar paid generously for it and then he gave the necklace to Sahim, his slave and said give it to the Prophet and tell him that I give you to him also.
The Prophet said to the slave, take this necklace and give it to Fatima and tell her that I gave you to her.
When the slave reached Fatima, she took the necklace and told the slave that he was free.
Upon hearing this, the slave laughed.
Fatima asked him the reason that made him laugh. He answered: "I smiled when I thought of the abundance put in this necklace; it fed a hungry man, freed a slave and returned to its original owner.
We now understand why she was Mubaraka.
Some other names she is known by, are Al-Tahera, meaning she was virtuous and pure, cleansed from all sin, and she was Al-Batool, meaning she was chaste and pure, safeguarded from menstruation and childbirth bleeding.
She is also Al-Zakiya, meaning the chaste and Al-Radhiyah, the satisfied or gratified one, and of course Al-Mardhiya which means she who pleases Allah.