(163)

THE MATRIMONY

Fatimah al-Zahra’ (a.s) was born to Khadijah al-Kubra and was the dearest daughter of the Prophet (a.s). Her birth took place at Makkah in the fifth year of the Annunciation of the Prophet (a.s). When she was only five years old her beloved mother, Khadijah, died. The entire responsibility of her upbringing became the responsibility of the Prophet (a.s). Despite his very busy schedule, he gave good attention to her education and training. His attention and her personal innate capability resulted in her accomplishments that became an example for the womenfolk of the world. While she was a replica of the Prophet (a.s) in her looks and personality, she was also a reflection of his qualities of head and heart. When she walked, it felt as if the Prophet (a.s) was walking. When she spoke, she modulated the words the same way as her father did. She achieved such heights in learning that the Prophet (a.s) gave her the titles of `adilat maryam (the equivalent of Mary) and sayyidat nisa’ al-`alamin (the Doyenne of the women of the world). Whenever she came to the presence of the Prophet (a.s), he used to stand up in respect. `A’ishah says:

“Whenever Fatimah came to The Prophet (a.s), he used to stand up, kiss her, welcome her and guide her with his own hands to sit on his carpet.”[1]

After arrival in al-Madinah, Lady Fatimah attained the age of maturity. At this time, the elite of Quraysh and other important persons sent in proposals for her hand in marriage. One person was very proud of his wealth. He offered excessive dowry if the Prophet (a.s) acceded to his request for marriage with his daughter. The Prophet (a.s) turned away his face when this proposal was mooted before him. He told some other persons, “Fatimah’s matter is in the hands of Allah! He will fix a match for her!” When none of the proposals received the assent of the Prophet (a.s), some of the Companions asked `Ali (a.s) to stake his claim. They said that there is no reason that he proposed and got a refusal from the Prophet (a.s). He said that

(164)

he felt shy to make the proposal to the Prophet (a.s). When those persons insisted, he promised to moot the subject with the Prophet (a.s) at an appropriate time. Therefore, one day after completing the important tasks, he went to the presence of the Prophet (a.s) and sat quietly in a corner. When he saw him sitting quietly, the Prophet (a.s) understood that he wished to make some important request. He said, “`Ali! Do you wish to say something?” He replied, “Yes!” The Prophet (a.s) asked, “Then! Tell me!” A blush crossed the face of `Ali (a.s). He kept his eyes down and said in low tone, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! You have brought me up from my childhood. And your kindnesses on me were more than those of my own parents! Now I am approaching you for more kindnesses!” The Prophet (a.s) understood the intent of `Ali (a.s) and happiness reflected from his face. He asked `Ali (a.s) to wait for sometime and went to the inner chamber of his house. He asked Fatimah al-Zahra’, “My daughter! `Ali (a.s) has made a proposal for your hand. What is your opinion about it?” Fatimah al-Zahra’ sat with her head bowed down and did not reply. The Prophet (a.s) said, “Quietness is acceptance!” he came out with a smiling face and told `Ali (a.s) that the proposal for marriage with his daughter was accepted. He asked `Ali (a.s) to arrange money for the dowry. `Ali (a.s) said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! Except for armor, a sword, and a camel, I have nothing else!” The Prophet (a.s) said, “Keep the camel and the sword with you and sell the armor to raise the money for dowry and other expenses.” `Ali (a.s) sold the armor to `Uthman for a consideration of four hundred and eighty dirhams and presented it to the Prophet as the dowry. He gave some dirhams from that money to Abū-Bakr and asked `Ammar ibn Yasir and some other companions to accompany him and buy the household utensils etc from the bazaar. He gave some dirhams to Bilal to buy perfumes etc.

It was the month of Dhul-Qa`dah of 2 A.H. In the al-Masjid al-Nabawi (the Holy Prophet’s Mosque) the group to witness the Marriage Covenant between the bride (Fatimah al-Zahra’) and the groom (`Ali) had assembled. The Companions of the Prophet (a.s) were there in numbers. The Prophet (a.s) delivered the Sermon. It was a speech of erudition and knowledge. The covenanting parties gave their assent. Then this happy occasion was concluded with a prayer by the Prophet (a.s) for the couples’ happiness and prosperity. In the month of Dhul-Hijjah 2 A.H., the bride shifted to the residence of the groom. The Prophet (a.s) got together the Wedding Reception.

(165)

He ordered meat and bread and the groom, `Ali (a.s), arranged for cooking oil and dates. The reception was an open house for all the inhabitants in al-Madinah. All the Muhajirūn and the Ansar attended the reception. All the guests ate to their fill. After service of the dinner, lot of food remained. One portion of the food was reserved for `Ali (a.s) and Fatimah. Food was also sent to the homes of the Prophet’s wives.

The dowry that was given to the daughter of the Prophet (a.s) and the richest lady of Arabia, Khadijah, consisted of the following:

One dress
One Scarf
One Black Headgear from Khaybar
One cot knit with date fiber
Two mattresses-one filled with wool and the other with date fiber
Four pillows made of Ta’if Leather
One mat
One curtain of silk and cotton waste
One millstone
One small pitcher of bronze
One big water-skin
One pot
One big tumbler
One spouted Jug
Some small earthen bowls

The approximate total cost of all these things was about eighty dirhams.

When the Prophet (a.s) saw his daughter’s dowry, he had tears in his eyes. He looked at the materials, lifted his head towards the sky and said:

“O Allah! Give them prosperity whose utensils are mostly earthen.”

When dusk was around, and the shadows darkened, the Prophet (a.s) helped Lady Fatimah (a.s) mount the mule, al-shahba’, and the atmosphere of al-Madinah reverberated with the calls of “allahu-akbar”. From every side came sounds of prayers. The women of Ansar and Muhajirūn accompanied the wedding procession singing. Salman al-Farisi was holding the reins of the

(166)

mule and walked in front of it. The Prophet (a.s) and all the men of Banū-Hashim carried unsheathed swords in their hands. The procession went round the Prophet’s Mosque and reached its destination. The Prophet (a.s) took the hand of his daughter in his hand and put it in the hand of the groom, `Ali (a.s) and said:

“`Ali! May the daughter of the Prophet (a.s) be auspicious for you!”

The Prophet (a.s) then called for a tumbler of water, took a mouthful of the water in his mouth, put it back in the tumbler and then sprinkled the water from the tumbler on the chests of `Ali (a.s) and Fatimah. Then he said:

O Allah! Give prosperity to both of them! Give prosperity to their progeny as well![1]

After giving his blessings, when the Prophet (a.s) entered the home of `Ali (a.s) and Fatimah, he again prayed for their happiness and prosperity! Seeing the daughter of Khadijah settle in her new home, the Prophet (a.s) returned home happily!