It is not easy to define the extent of the Prophet's love for Fatima (A) for she occupied a special place in his heart like no other person did. The Prophet's love for Fatima was mixed with respect and exaltation; and in addition to being motivated by the father/daughter relationship, this love was granted to her for the special talents and noble traits Fatima enjoyed.

The following are various reports that illustrate the love and respect the Prophet (S) held for Lady Fatima (A):

1. Bihar v. 10 Imam Sadiq (A) reported that Fatima (A) said: "When the following verse was revealed:

‘Deem not Summons of the Apostle among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another,' (24: 63)

‘I feared to call the Messenger of Allah, `Father'; so I began calling him Messenger of Allah. He ignored me two or three times and finally said:

'Fatima, this verse was not revealed about you or your family, nor does it include your progeny; for you are from me and I am from you. Rather, this verse was revealed regarding the vain and crude Quraish who are arrogant and spendthrifts. Call me Father; it surely is better for the heart and more satisfying to the Lord.’”

2. Aisha Bint Talha quoted Aisha as saying:

"I have not seen anyone more similar to the Messenger in speech and dialogue than Fatima. Whenever she entered the house, he would greet her, kiss her hands and ask her to sit near him. Likewise, when he entered the house, she would greet him, kiss his hands and etc….."

3. Khawarizmi wrote in his book Maqtal Al Hussain that Huthiefa said:
"The Messenger of Allah used to kiss Fatima all over her face before he went to sleep ...."

4. Ibn Umar said:
"Once the Prophet (S) kissed Fatima's head and said: `May your father be your sacrifice; stay as you are ....”

5. According to Dhakhear Al Uqbi, Aisha said:
"Once the Messenger of Allah kissed Fatima's throat so I said, Messenger of Allah! You have done something which you have not done before!”
The Prophet answered: “Aisha, whenever I long for Paradise, I kiss Fatima's throat."

6. Qandouzi reported that Aisha said:
"Whenever the Prophet returned from a trip, he would kiss Fatima's throat and say:
“From her, I do smell the fragrance of Paradise."

Furthermore, the following narrations have been reported by both Shiite and Sunni scholars:

1. The Messenger of Allah said:
"The best of women of Paradise are: Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, Asia Bint Muzahim (Pharaoh's wife) and Maryam Bint Imran."

2. He also said:
"The best of the women of the world are four: Maryam Bint Imran, Asia Bint Muzahim, Khadija Bint Khowailid, and Fatima Bint Muhammad."
(These two narrations have been reported in Musnad Ahmad v.2, p.293)

3. The Prophet (S) also said:
“Among the women of world, the following are among (the best): Maryam Bint Imran, Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, and Asia?Pharaoh's wife.”
(AlEsti'ab and Al?Isabah)

These three narrations name the four best women but do not specify the best of them. However, there are many authentic narrations, which clearly state that Fatima was the best of all women, including these honorable ladies.

Among the sayings of Sunni scholars who reported narrations to this effect are:

1. Masrouq reports that Aisha told him:
"We, the Prophet's wives, were gathered around him when Fatima walked towards us; by Allah her walk is exactly the same as that of the Messenger of Allah when he saw her, he greeted her by saying: `Welcome my daughter.' He then asked her to sit to his right or left. He then whispered something to her that caused her to cry; when he saw her sadness, he whispered something else to her which caused her to laugh. (When I saw this) I said to her: `The Messenger of Allah bestowed you with a special secret, yet you cry?'
When the Prophet left I exclaimed: "What did he whisper to you?"
Fatima answered: `I would not announce the secret of the Messenger of Allah!'
After the Prophet's death, I said to her: `I insist on you by my right over you to tell me (what he told you)!'
She said: ‘Yes, I will tell you now. The first time he whispered to me, he told me that Gabriel used to review the Quran with him once a year, but this year he reviewed it twice. So, he said, I think the time of my departure is near. Therefore, fear Allah and be patient, for I will be a good (person) to proceed you.' Fatima added: `so I cried, as you saw. When he noticed my sadness, he once again said to me: 'Fatima, is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of believing women (or the Mistress of the women of my Ummah)?"

a. Baghawi in his book Masabeh AsSunna writes that the Prophet said to Fatima:
"Is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of the women of the world?"

b. Hakim Nishabouri reported in his book Mustadrakthat he said to Fatima:
"Is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of the women of the world, this Ummah and believing women?"

Although there is a large number of narrations, which state that Fatima (A) was the Mistress of all women. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal mentions at the end of the first narration that he also informed Fatima (A) that she was the first one to follow him after his death.

2. Bukhari reported in v.5, p.21 and 29 of his Sahih that Allah's Messenger said:
"Fatima is part of me, he who harms her harms me."
This narration has been reported with a variety of words which all have the same meaning; it has been reported by more than fifty narrators.

3. Bihar v.10: Imam Ja’far Ibn Muhammad (A) and Jabir Ibn Abdullah Al Ansari said:
"Once the Prophet saw Fatima wearing a cloak of camel skin while grinding (grain) with her hands; and holding her child. Tears came from the Prophet's eyes and he said:
‘Daughter! Bear with the hardships of this world and later you will enjoy the blessings of the Hereafter.'
Fatima replied: `Messenger of Allah, praise be to Allah for His benefactions and thanks be to Him for his gifts.' (It was then that) Allah revealed:
`And soon will the Guardian Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well pleased."
Source: Fatima (A.S.) The Gracious (Abu Muhammad Ordoni)