[Machine] "In the end of this statement, the Imam Abu Bakr means that my best daughters are among my best daughters, because the news is proven to be correct from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that Fatimah, upon her be peace, is the leader of the women of this nation. It is also confirmed from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that he said, 'Fatimah is the leader of the women of the people of Paradise, except for Maryam, the daughter of Imran.' And I have also clarified in my writings that the Arabs may say 'afdal,' intending 'from the best,' but in my books, there are the rich and sufficient (explanations), if Allah, the Almighty, wills. And the Imam Abu Bakr has already clarified in his explanation of this statement, and we do not add to what he says, as he is the Imam who deserves it. However, beneath this word, there is a letter that leads to another meaning different from what he said, which is that knowledge encompasses that Zainab is older than Fatimah in age, as she was born before her. And it can be said that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, intended by his saying 'afdal' that Zainab is the greatest and oldest of my children. And Allah knows best."  

الْإِمَامُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي آخِرِ هَذِهِ اللَّفْظَةِ أَفْضَلُ بَنَاتِي مَعْنَاهُ أَيْ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ بَنَاتِي لِأَنَّ الْأَخْبَارَ ثَابِتَةٌ صَحِيحَةٌ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلَامُ سَيِّدَةُ نِسَاءِ هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ وَكَذَلِكَ ثَابِتٌ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ قَالَ «فَاطِمَةُ سَيِّدَةُ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ إِلَّا مَرْيَمَ بِنْتَ عِمْرَانَ» وَقَدْ أُمْلِيتُ مِنْ هَذَا الْجِنْسِ أَنَّ الْعَرَبَ قَدْ تَقُولُ أَفْضَلُ تُرِيدُ مِنْ أَفْضَلَ وَفِي كُتُبِي مَا فِيهِ الْغَنِيَّةُ وَالْكِفَايَةُ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ﷻ وَقَدْ شَفَى الْإِمَامُ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي بَيَانِ هَذِهِ اللَّفْظَةِ وَلَا نَزِيدُ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُهُ إِذْ هُوَ الْإِمَامُ الْمُقَدَّمُ حَقًّا لَكِنْ تَحْتَ هَذِهِ الْكَلِمَةِ حَرْفٌ يُؤَدِّي إِلَى مَعْنًى آخَرَ غَيْرِ مَا قَالَهُ وَهُوَ أَنَّ الْعِلْمَ مُحِيطٌ بِأَنَّ زَيْنَبَ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ سِنًّا وُلِدَتْ قَبْلَهَا وَيُمْكِنُ أَنْ يُقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَرَادَ بِقَوْلِهِ أَفْضَلُ أَيْ أَكْبَرُ وَأَقْدَمُ أَوْلَادِي وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ