Allah had gifted Sayyida Fatima Zahra
(s.a.) the intellectual maturity and integrity of conduct. Her religious faculties
and literary knowledge was matchless. History has not witnessed any other woman
who has achieved the supreme knowledge and social graces that she achieved although
she did not attend any school other than the school of Revelation under the
sacred guidance of her father, the Noble Messenger of Islam (s.a.w.a.s.)
One year after the Migration to Madinah,
the proposals of marriage for Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) began to be received by the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) who politely refused saying that it was the will
of Allah and he was awaiting Allah’s decree in that regard.
Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) was the model
of Prophet’s teachings for women just as the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.) was
the perfect embodiment of Islamic teachings and the supreme and matchless
masculine and noble qualities he possessed. They were the most suitable couple
to be united in the matrimonial bonds, but he was too modest to speak about it.
After some persuasions from the companions, he finally went to the Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) and proposed for the
marriage. He (s.a.w.a.s.) discussed it with Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)
saying: “Fatima, you know Ali ibne Abi Talib’s relationship with us;
his devotion and faithfulness to Islam. I asked Allah to give you in marriage
to the best of His creatures, and the most beloved to Him; and Ali
has declared his wish to marry you; what do you say?” She (s.a.) did
not reply, nor did she show any signs of rejection or resentment, so He (s.a.w.a.s.)
stood up and said “Allah is the greatest! Her silence is her approval”.
He inquired from Imam Ali (a.s.) about his material standing for the wedding. As
this marriage was be remembered and will be of profound influence for
generations to come. Imam Ali (a.s.) replied that he owned a sword, a shield
and a camel. As advised by him (s.a.w.a.s.), he sold his shield of armor for
500 Dirham and brought the money to him (s.a.w.a.s.) who added similar amount
and asked his companions to buy household goods to setup home for this Unique
Family.
Ahmad Ibne Yousuf Ad-Demishqi and
other narrators of traditions report that Sayyida Fatima said to her father “I
ask you to kindly give the dowry back and supplicate to Allah, to make my dowry
the right to intercede for the sinners of Muslim Ummah” It showed her
greatness, honor and excellence of the Lady of Paradise.The marriage
was solemnized by the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) himself and after the marriage the
couple moved to a separate house next to the Masjid-al-Nabavi.
Ibne Ta’uoos narrates that he
(s.a.w.a.s.) had purchased a new dress for her wedding. On her wedding night, a
needy person knocked at the door and requested for any old clothes. She (s.a.) was
about to give her old dress with patches on it, when she remembered the
Qur’anic verse of Surah al-Imran Ayah 92 “You can never have extended virtue
and righteousness unless you spend part of what you dearly love”. She gave the
poor man her wedding dress. Consequently, the Jibra’il descended and said, “O
Muhammad, Allah sends His blessings to you; He commanded me to greet Fatima and
give her the gift He sent her which is a dress from Paradise, made of silk, and
brocade.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
asked Imam Ali (a.s.) to hold a feast as Allah is pleased with those who do so;
for the social good it does: such as bringing people together and implementing
love and harmony among Muslims.
When Imam Ali (a.s.) reached the
mosque, he found it filled with hundreds of Muslims. Imam Ali’s generosity and
nobility did not allow him to invite selected people. Hence, he invited
everyone present in the mosque. Due to his (s.a.w.a.s.) presence, there was
barakah in the food, hence not only everyone ate but he (s.a.w.a.s.) sent some
of the food to the companion’s homes. Then he (s.a.w.a.s.) ordered his wives to
prepare, perfume and assist her wear the special dress from Paradise.
Ibne Abbas narrates that when
Sayyida Fatima was taken to Imam Ali’s house on the wedding night, the
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) preceded her, Jibra’il was on her right side, and
Meka’il was on left side and seventy thousand angels followed her. These angels
praised and glorified Allah until dawn.Upon arriving, the Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) gave Sayyida Fatima’s hand into Imam Ali’s hand and said “May
Allah bless His Messenger’s daughter; Ali! This is Fatima, you are responsible
for her. Ali! what an excellent wife Fatima is! Fatima, what an excellent
husband Ali is! O Allah bless them, bless their lives, bless their children. O
Allah, surely, they are the most beloved to me in Your creatures, so love them
too, and assign for them a guardian. I place them and their progeny under your
protection from the cursed devil”
This sacred marriage also took
place at the fourth heaven when angels gathered and Allah ordered one of the
angels named Rahil to ascend the Pulpit (Mimber) of Light and
praise and glorify His Names. After enumerating His Mercy and Benevolence, he
continued as “Allah, the Omnipotent
king, chose the one who was bestowed with special Divine Honor, and the
worshipper of His Greatness, for His worshipper, the Mistress of women, and the
daughter of the best of Prophets, the Master of all Messengers, and the Imam of
the pious; so He brought into relations with a man from his kin, One who is his
believing companion, and was prompt in answering his call- Ali the devout, with
Fatima, the splendid and the daughter of the Messenger. “Then, Jibra’il added
the following words on behalf of Allah: “Praise is My garment, Greatness is My
Magnificence, All the creatures are My slaves, men and women. I give Fatima, My
Worshipper in marriage to Ali My chosen worshipper. So, bear witness O My
angels.” (Bihar ul Anwaar)
It is to be noted that the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) performed the marriage ceremony in the mosque and announced the
dowry. For the Dowry, he said “Avoid
exaggerations in (the amounts of) dowries, because this causes enmity (between you)” Then he
(s.a.w.a.s) also assigned the desirable practice of limiting the dowry to 500
Dirhams. He and the Infallible Imams never exceeded this amount of dowry in
marriages.
Next day, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) visited the couple and
asked Imam Ali (a.s.), “Ali how did you find your wife?” Imam Ali (a.s.)
replied, “The best companion in giving service to the Creator!”
Sources:
Fatima the Gracious by Abu Muhammad
Ordoni
A Restatement of the History of
Islam by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy
Fatima, the Daughter of Muhammad
(s.a.w.a.s.) by Yasin T. Jibouri
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