Allah had gifted Bibi Fatima the intellectual maturity and
integrity of conduct. Bibi Fatima’s religious feelings and literary knowledge
were unlimited. History has not witnessed any other woman who has achieved the
high level of education, knowledge and social graces that Bibi Fatima achieved
regardless of the fact that she did not attend any school other than the school
of Revelation
One year after the Migration to Madina, proposals for Bibi
Fatima (s.a.) began to be received by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) who politely
refused saying that it is in the hands of Allah and he was awaiting Allah’s
decree in this matter.
Bibi Fatima 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 manly qualities among men. They were the most suitable couple
to be married, but he was too modest to speak about it. After some persuasions
from his friends, he finally went to see the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) in the mosque
and proposed for the marriage. The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) told Bibi Fatima (s.a.) “Fatima ,
you know Ali ibne Abitalib’s relationship to 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?” Bibi Fatima did not reply, nor did she show any sign of rejection
or resentment, so the Prophet (s.a.w.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 wedding,
because legally and traditionally there has to be a dowry. This marriage would
be remembered and be of great influence for generations to come. Imam Ali
(a.s.) replied that he owned a sword, a shield and a camel. As advised by the
Prophet (s.a.w.s.), he sold his shield of armor for 500 Dirham and brought the
money to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) who added similar amount and asked his
companions to buy household goods to setup home for the unique Holy Family.
Ahmad Ibne Yousuf Ad-Demishqi and other narrators of
traditions report that Bibi 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 among Muslims” It is apparent from the above tradition the
greatness, honor and excellence of the Lady of Paradise, Bibi Fatima Zahra
(s.a.)
Marriage was
solemnized by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) himself and after the marriage the
couple went to live in a separate house next to the house of the Prophet, near
the Masjid-e-Nabavi. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) arranged the wedding gifts of
basic simple items of daily use.
Ibne Tauoos narrates that The
Prophet had purchased a new dress for Fatima for her
marriage. On her wedding night, a needy person knocked at the door and
requested for any old clothes. Bibi 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 poor man her wedding dress. Consequently, the Jibra’il descended 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 is a dress from Paradise ,
made of silk, brocade etc.”
The Holy Prophet(s.a.w.s.) asked
Imam Ali(a.s.) to hold a dinner as Allah is pleased with those who do so; from
the social good it does: such as bringing people together and implementing love
and harmony among them.
When Imam Ali(a.s.) reached the
mosque, he found it to be filled with hundreds of people. Imam Ali’s generosity
and noble heartedness did not allow him to invite selected people. Hence he
invited every one present in the mosque. Due to the presence of the Holy
Prophet, not only every one ate but the Prophet sent some of the food to the
companion’s homes. The Holy Prophet ordered his wives to prepare Fatima ,
perfume her and assist her wear the special dress from Paradise .
Ibne Abbas narrates that when Bibi
Fatima was taken to Imam Ali’s house on the wedding night, the Prophet 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 till
dawn.
Upon arriving, the Holy Prophet
placed Bibi 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 ordered one of the angels named Rahil to ascend
the Mimber of Light and praise and glorify His Names. After enumerating His
Mercy and Benevolence on angels, 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 the Prophet 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:
“Prays 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 Holy Prophet (s.a.w.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)”
The Prophet (s.a.w.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.
MashAllah
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