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 has achieved the high level of education,
knowledge and social graces that she achieved regardless of the fact that 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 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 Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), he sold his shield of
armor for 500 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 apparent 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
Tauoos 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 is 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
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 king,
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 the Prophet 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
500 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
MashAllah
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