Allah had gifted Sayyida Fatima the intellectual maturity and integrity of conduct. Her religious feelings and literary knowledge were boundless. History has not witnessed any other woman who had achieved the elevated level of education, 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 the 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 this 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 best embodiment of his teachings and the supreme and matchless
masculine and noble qualities that he possessed. They were the most suitable
couple to be united into the matrimonial bonds, but he was too modest to speak
about it. After some persuasions from his companions, he finally went to see
the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) in the mosque and proposed for the marriage. The
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) discussed it with Sayyida Fatima (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?” Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) did not
reply, nor did she show any signs of rejection or resentment, so the Messenger
(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 state of
preparedness to fulfill the requirements needed for the marriage. This marriage
would 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 the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), he sold his shield of armor for five
hundred Dirham and brought the money to the Messenger (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 is evident from the
above tradition the greatness, honor and excellence of the Lady of Paradise,
Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.)
Marriage was solemnized by
the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) himself and after the marriage the couple went to
live in a separate house next to the house of the Messenger, near the
Masjid-e-Nabawi. The Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) arranged the wedding gifts of basic
simple items of daily use.
Ibne Tawoos narrates that The
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had purchased a new dress for Sayyida Fatima for her
marriage. On her wedding night, a needy person knocked at the door and
requested for any old clothes. Sayyida Fatima was about to give her old dress
having patches on it, when she remembered the Qur’anic verse “By no means ye
shall attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye
love.” She gave the needy her wedding dress. Consequently, the Jibril descended
to the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and said, “O Muhammad, Allah sends His blessings
upon you; He commanded me to greet Fatima and (give her the gift He sent her)
which was a dress from Paradise, made of silk and brocade.”
The Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked
Imam Ali (a.s.) to hold a dinner 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 to invite
the people, 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 the presence of the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.),
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 Sayyida Fatima, perfume her 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, Gabriel was on her right side, and Mika’il was on left side, and seventy thousand angels followed her. These angels praised and glorified Allah (s.w.t.) till the dawn. On arriving, the Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) placed Sayyida Fatima’s hand in 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 from among 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 (s.w.t.) 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 on angels, Allah, the Omnipotent, chose the one who was
bestowed with special Divine Honor, and the worshiper of His Greatness, for His
worshiper, 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 vicegerent and was prompt in
answering his call- Ali the devout, with Fatima, the splendid and the daughter
of the Messenger.”
Then, Gabriel 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 Worshiper in
marriage to Ali My chosen worshiper. So, bear witness O My angels.” (Bihar
ul Anwar)
It is to be noted that the 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 five hundred Dirham. He and the Infallible Imams never exceeded this amount of dowry in marriages.
Sources used:
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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