Marriage of
Bibi Fatimah (A.S.)
Bibi
Fatimah (A), the best of all women, was the only daughter of the Holy
Prophet (S). Whenever she came into his presence, the Holy Prophet (S)
would stand up in respect, not because she was his daughter, but because
she possessed the highest qualities of piety and faith amongst all
women.
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.
The Muslims realised that the person who married this great lady would
not need to be rich and powerful, but would have to possess her
qualities of truthfulness, piety and excellence. 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.
When the Holy Prophet (S) heard the proposal he was so pleased that he
smiled and said, "It is a welcome and happy proposal." However, he asked
Imam Ali (A) to wait till he asked his daughter. When the Holy Prophet
(S) mentioned the proposal of Imam Ali (A) to Bibi Fatimah (A), she
remained quiet due to her modesty. The Holy Prophet (S) declared, "Her
silence means her consent."
In those days, Imam Ali (A) owned nothing except his sword and battle
armour. He was advised by the Holy Prophet (S) to sell the armour to
meet the expense of marriage. With the money from the sale, the items of
dowry for Bibi Fatimah (A) were purchased.
These consisted of some perfume, a shirt, a black bath robe, a
head-dress, a bed made of wood and date palm fibre, two mattresses of
Egyptian linen, four pillows, a curtain, a mat, two millstones (for
grinding flour), a water skin, a wooden bowl for milk, a container for
water, some jars, two silver bangles and one copper vessel.
The marriage ceremony was performed by the Holy Prophet (S) in the month
of Ramadhan 2 A.H. All the Muhajireen and Ansar gathered for the
wedding, and Imam Ali (A) arranged for a feast (Walimah) in honour of
his wife.
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). |