To what extent is the story true about the Jewish woman's healing through the blessed ablution water of Sayyida Nafisah and her family's conversion to Islam, what was the reason for Sayyida Nafisah's arrival in Egypt, and did the Umayyads persecute the Household of the Prophet?

Sayyida Nafisah is Nafisah bint Abi Muhammad al-Hasan. She was a devout worshiper, an ascetic, and a benefactress to people. When she passed away, the people of Egypt prevented her husband from transporting her to Medina, so she was buried in her home in Egypt. The common people exaggerated in her regard, to the extent that they uttered phrases about her that could lead to polytheism (shirk), whereas one should believe in her in a manner befitting righteous women. The origin of idol worship is exaggeration regarding graves and their occupants. Exaggeration regarding human beings is forbidden, and whoever claims that she can free someone from wood [i.e., from paralysis or affliction] or that she can benefit or harm is a polytheist (mushrik).

The exact reason for her migration to Egypt is not known, and the claim that the persecution by the Umayyads was the cause has no evidence. The Umayyad state had virtues and suffered injustices, and among the worst injustices was the alienation of Ali ibn Abi Talib and his household. However, this injustice was not a pervasive characteristic of their rule. Indeed, Muawiyah used to honor al-Hasan and al-Husayn and give them gifts.

As for the story of the healing of the paralyzed Jewish girl by means of her ablution water, it has no basis and is an fabrication by the ignorant to spread polytheism and innovation (bid'ah).