Bibi Fatimah (A), the best of all women, was the only daughter of the Holy Prophet (S). Because of the excellence of Bibi Fatimah (A), the Holy Prophet (S) received numerous offers for her hand in marriage from wealthy families and chiefs of tribes. He refused them all, saying that he was waiting for the order of Allah regarding the person to whom his daughter should be married. Allah gifted her with a brilliant mentality and cleverness, together with beauty, grace and elegance. Her talents were many and her inherited and acquired noble traits excel those of any female or male.
Fatima's religious feelings and literary knowledge were unlimited. You will come to know that she was the most knowledgeable and most honorable woman in the world.
In light of this, it is not strange that prominent companions of the Prophet asked to marry her, but he (S) rejected them by saying:
"Her affair is left to her Lord; whenever He wills, she will marry."
Therefore, some people suggested to Imam Ali (A) that he should go to the Holy Prophet (S) and place a proposal for himself. Imam Ali (A) also wished this, and he approached the Holy Prophet (S). Imam Ali (A) felt shy at his request but when the Holy Prophet (S) encouraged him to speak what was on his mind, he managed to tell him.
Imam Ali (A) was staying in the house of Saad Ibn Ma'adh (according to one historical finding) since he immigrated to Medina. One day, While Imam Ali was in one of the gardens of Medina, Saad came to him and said:
"What prevents you from asking to marry Fatima from your cousin?"
It has also been mentioned in Kanz Al?Umal that Umar came to Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and said:
"What prevents you from (marrying) Fatima?"
Imam Ali replied: "I fear that he (the Prophet) will not give her to me in marriage!"
Umar said: "If he does not give her to you in marriage, then who will she marry? Besides, you are the nearest of Allah's creatures to him ....”
Actually, Ali had never mentioned his desire to marry Fatima for two reasons; first his shyness to do so in front of the Prophet, and secondly because of his very difficult economic condition. Imam Ali owned nothing of the empherial belongings of this world?not even a house or a peace of land!! So how could he get married? And where would he live with his wife? Besides, Fatima (A) is not the type of woman who can be neglected or looked down upon!!
Nevertheless, the purpose of marriage in Islam is to establish a family. It is a matter included and taken care of by marriage. In addition, Islam came to break the chains and the blind adoption of concepts which deprived many people from marriage by making it difficult for them to acquire partners; thus, preventing them from a basic and natural necessity needed for the survival of mankind. Therefore, thanks to Islam marriage became an easy affair.
Imam Ali (A) finally approached the Prophet (S) and asked for Fatima's hand in marriage. The Messenger, who has absolute guardianship over all Muslim men and women, including his daughter, would not announce his agreement to the marriage without Fatima's consent. By this action, he (S) made it clear that it is inevitable to obtain the daughter's permission for marriage, because she is the one who is to live with the man and share his life. Indeed, giving a girl in marriage to someone without her prior approval or permission is a clear violation of her honor, degradation of her personality, disruption of her soul and a practical declaration to her that she is like an animal who can be sold or given as a gift to anyone without the right to state her opinion.
The Prophet (S) in reply to Ali said:
"Ah, many men have asked before you and she has rejected them?her resentment to marry them was clear on her face. Yet, wait until I bring you the answer."
The Prophet (S) left Ali waiting for the answer. The Prophet informed his daughter that Ali wished to marry her. Fatima did not need to ask about Ali's occupation, manners, age and other traits; because she knew all about his talents, excellent traits and long standing service to Islam. It is for this reason that the Prophet only said to her: "Fatima, you know Ali Ibn Abu Talib'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 he (Ali) has declared his wish to marry you; what do you say?"
Fatima did not reply, nor did she show a sign of rejection or resentment, so he (S) stood up and said:
“Allah is the Greatest! Her silence is her approval."
The Prophet considered Fatima's silence as her consent and approval of the marriage; because a shy, virgin girl is not expected to declare her agreement openly. Yes, disagreement and rejection of marriage can be openly expressed by her. But shyness prevents a girl from declaring her wish to marry a man, but it does not stop her from rejecting it.
The Prophet (S) went back to the waiting Ali and informed him of Fatima's approval of the marriage. He also inquired about the extent of his preparedness to fulfill the requirements needed for the wedding, because legally and traditionally there has to be a dowry. Especially in light of the fact that this marriage would be remembered and be of great influence to the future generations. Thus, it was important to observe every element and event, which would play a part of this marriage?within the limits of simplicity and modesty.
The Prophet said to Ali:
"Do you possess anything (which you can pay for the dowry) to marry Fatima?'
Imam Ali answered:
"May my parents be your sacrifice By Allah, there is not a thing of my affairs hidden from you; I own my sword, shield and the camel which 1 use for irrigation"
Indeed, this was everything that Ali possessed in this world when he was about to get married!!
The Messenger openheartedly listened to Ali and said:
"Ali you cannot do without your sword, for you have to struggle with it and defend yourself against the enemies of Allah. As for your camel you need it to irrigate palm trees and support your family, and you need it as a means of travel. But I accept the shield as a dowry from you; thus, sell it and bring me the money.”
Ali had won this shield from the booty of the battle of Badr. It was given to him by the Messenger, who named it Al?Hademah; because it destroyed all the swords, which stuck it.
The Commander of the Faithful (A) sold the shield for 480 or 500 dirhams and brought the money to the Prophet (S). They both agreed that this money would be the dowry of the most honorable girl and most exalted female of the universe. Yes, Fatima was the Mistress of the women of the world, and the daughter of the Master of Prophets and Messengers, who was the best of Allah's creatures.
Yet, he gave his daughter in marriage in return for such a modest dowry in order to teach other Muslim girls not to refrain from marriage because of modest dowries. There are many other lessons, which we can learn from Fatima's marriage, but this is not the place to mention them.
Despite Fatima's modest marriage on Earth, Allah, the Exalted, bestowed her with an honorable gift. He (Glory be to Him) gave her in marriage to Ali Ibn Abu Talib, before the Messenger himself did so.
Therefore, was it not possible for Fatima's wedding to have been celebrated in the exalted heavens, and attended by the nearest angels to Allah, the Exalted, as Prophetic traditions state? ! Indeed, this is what happened in tribute to Fatima, her Father, her husband, and her future children who are the authorities of Allah on His creatures.
The celebration took place in the fourth Heaven near Al?Bait Al?Ma'mour (the constantly attended house of Allah). It was a unique event the like of which the universe had never encountered before. Angels from all the Heavens gathered in the fourth Heaven and erected the Minbar of Honor, which is made of light. Then Allah, The Almighty, revealed to one of His angels, Rahil, to ascend the Minber and praise and glorify His names as He deserves. Rahil, who was the most eloquent of all angels, did what his Lord revealed to him and said:
"Praise be to Allah, since creation of the first (creatures); He who is ever?lasting (even) after the cessation of all beings; We praise Him for making us spiritual angels, who are submitting to His Godship, and for making us grateful to Him for His benevolence on us.
He safeguarded us from craving for lusts; and made our only pleasure and enjoyment to glorify and exalt Him.
He Who extended His Mercy (upon everything); and bestowed His benevolence (upon everyone). Exalted is His Name from the polytheism of polytheists of the dwellers of Earth, And Elevated by His Creatures from the fabrications of the atheists. 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 Gabriel added the following words, which were from Allah, the Exalted:
"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." [52]
When Ali had sold his sword, he brought the money to the Prophet; who divided it into thirds: one?third was for household necessities, one?third was for perfumes and embellishments for the wedding, and the remaining one?third he gave to Umme Salamah, who was to give it back to Ali to assist him in paying for food for the guests attending the ceremony.
Naturally, Ali's marriage to Fatima Zahra (A) raised envy and enmity in the hearts of some men; especially those who were rejected by Fatima and her father when they had asked for her hand. So it was not strange to see some Quraishans come to the Prophet and say:
"Surely you have taken a lowly dowry for Fatima from Ali."
The Prophet replied:
"It was not I who gave (Fatima to) Ali in marriage, rather Allah did so on the night of ascension near the Lotus tree (in the seventh Heaven)..." [53]
He then added: "Verily I am a man just like you, I marry (from) your women and give you my (marriageable) women in marriage, save Fatima, for her marriage was revealed in Heaven."
The night of Fatima's wedding arrived. Because every girl needs her mother on her wedding night, Fatima missed Khadija and felt very much like an orphan. With his noble and special attention to Fatima, the Prophet wished to fill Khadija's space; the Prophet called Ali (A) and Fatima, who proceeded towards him?Fatima was in her long heavenly dress overtaken with shyness. He (S) brought his gray horse and asked Fatima to ride it and ordered Salman to lead while he (S) followed them.
Yes, indeed, Fatima's wedding was attended by heavenly creatures as well as people, for she is a human huri.
Al?Mawaddah have narrated that Ibn Abbas said:
"When Fatima was taken to Ali's house on her wedding night, the Prophet proceeded her, Gabriel was on her right, and Michael on her left, and seventy thousand angels followed her. These angels praised and glorified Allah until dawn!!
The Hashemit men, Abdul Muttalib's daughters, and Muhajerin and Ansar's women all accompanied Fatima's caravan that night. The Prophet's wives joyfully led the caravan; they were also the first to enter the house.
Upon arriving, the Prophet placed Fatima's hand in Ali's hand and said:
“May Allah bless his Messenger's daughter;
Ali this is Fatima, you are responsible for her (or I entrust her to you)
Ali, what an excellent wife Fatima is!!
Fatima, what an excellent husband Ali is!!
O Allah, bless them, bless their lives, and 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 curse devil.”
Thereafter, Prophet (S) ordered the women to leave the house. They all left except Asma Bint Umais. When he (S) noticed that she had stayed behind, he exclaimed: ‘didn’t I ask you to leave?'
She answered: `Indeed, O Messenger of Allah! May my parents be your sacrifice; I did not intend to disobey you, but I promised Khadija to take her place on this night.'
The Prophet (S) was moved by this; he cried and said to Asma: ‘By Allah, is this reason that made you staying behind?’
She said: ‘Yes, by Allah!’
He (S) then said: ‘Asma, may Allah fulfill for you the needs of this world and the Hereafter.’
The Holy Prophet (S) informed his daughter of the virtues and qualities of her husband. Then he turned to Imam Ali (A) and mentioned the excellence of his daughter and said that if Imam Ali (A) had not been born, there would have been none else to match her. He then divided the duties of life between them. He told Bibi Fatimah (A) to take care of all the household affairs while he made Imam Ali (A) responsible for the outdoor duties.
From this marriage Imam Ali (A) and Bibi Fatimah (A) were blessed with two sons, Imam Hasan (A) and Imam Husain (A), and two daughters, Bibi Zainab (A) and Bibi Umme Kulthum (A).
