ON THE WAY TO MARRIAGE
When
Fatima Zahra reached nine years of age, she was a full-grown woman who
enjoyed intellectual maturity and integrity of conduct. 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 fact, history has not witnessed any other woman who
achieved such a high level of education, knowledge, and social graces
that Fatima reached; regardless of the fact that she did not graduate
from any educational establishment save the school of Revelation and
Messengership.
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."
Shu'aib
Ibn Saab al-Misri said the following in Ar-Rawd al-Faeq:
"When the sun of her beauty shined in the
heavens of Messengership and became full on the horizon of exaltation of
the moon of her perfection, the dawns of thoughts reached towards her
and the sights of the chosen longed to observe her beauty; so the
masters of the Muhajerin and Ansar asked to many her, but the one who
was bestowed with Allah's satisfaction (the Prophet (S) rejected them
and said: `I am waiting for Allah's ordinance in her regard."'
Abu Bakr
and Umar were among those who asked to marry Fatima, but the Prophet (S)
rejected them too, and said that she was still too young for marriage.
AbdurRahman Ibn Awf also asked for her hand, but the Prophet (S) ignored
him.
Ali Ibn
Muragi reported in his book Kanz al-Umal v.2 p.99, that Anas Ibn Malik
said:
"Abu Bakr came to see the Prophet (S).
After sitting down he said:
`O
Messenger of Allah, you surely know of my devotion and long standing
service to Islam...'
The
Prophet then said: `What is it that you want?'
Abu Bakr
then said: `I want you to give me Fatima in marriage.'
When the
Prophet heard this, he did not say anything, so Abu Bakr returned to
Umar and said:
`I have ruined myself and others!!'
Umar
said: `What happened?'
Abu Bakr
replied: `I asked for Fatima's hand from the Prophet, but he ignored
me.'
Umar
said: `You stay here, and I will go ask the Prophet for the same
thing that you asked him for.'
Umar
went to the Prophet and after sitting down started saying:
`O Messenger of Allah, you surely know of
my devotion and long standing service to Islam...'
The
Prophet (S) then said: `What is it that you want?'
Umar
replied: `I want you to give me Fatima in marriage.'
But the
Prophet (S) ignored him too.
Umar
returned to Abu Bakr and said: `He is waiting for Allah's command in
her regard."'
Al-Haithami
also reported in his book Majma Az-Zawa'ed that Abu Bakr and Umar sent
their daughters to the Prophet (S) in order to ask him to give Fatima in
marriage to them; but when the daughters mentioned why they had come,
the Prophet said:
"No!
Not until Allah's command in her regard is revealed"
Perhaps
the Messenger avoided telling Abu Bakr and Umar openly that he is
keeping Fatima for the qualified man, because he did not want to declare
to them that they were unqualified to marry her, and that his daughter
was above their level. The Prophet also wanted everything to occur in
its natural order.
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.
The question of sex is not the main goal, rather 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. Tribalism and race consciousness were eradicated by the new
religion. The Prophet (S), who was still going through the stage of
building Islam, wanted to set an example through his words and deeds in
this field; for he is the exemplar and model for the people. So he
fought ignorant and infidel customs through his works and actions.
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. This is not abnormal,
for Allah had given women who are much lower than Fatima in marriage to
the Prophet For example, He gave Zainab Bint Jahsh to the Prophet in
marriage as it is stated in the Holy Quran.
"Then when Zaid had dissolved (his
marriage) with her, with the necessary (formality), We joined her in
marriage to thee." (33: 50)
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 Mygarment 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." [1]
This
narration was also reported by a group of Sunni scholars, among them
are:
1.
AbdurRahman As-Safawi in Nuzhat al-Majalis v.2, p.223, reported that
Jabir Ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"Umme Ayman came to the Prophet crying;
the Prophet asked her why she was crying?
She
replied:
"A man from the Ansar just informed me
that his daughter has just been married, and that sprinkled sweets and
almonds on her. Thus, this reminded me that when Fatima married Ali, you
did not sprinkle anything on her."
There-upon the Prophet (S) said:
"By Allah Who sent me with honor, and
gifted me with the Messengership; when Allah gave Fatima to Ali in
marriage, He ordered the nearest angels to surround the Throne-including
Gabriel, Michael and Israfil. He also commanded birds to sing and
ordered the tree of Tuba to sprinkle them with fresh pearls, white gems,
green chrysolites and red rubies."
According to another tradition, he said:
"The
marriage took place near the Lotus tree in the seventh Heaven, on the
night of Ascension. (On that occasion) Allah revealed to the tree:
`Sprinkle all that you bear on them.' So it sprinkled them with gems,
jewelry and corals."
2.
Al-Hafiz Abu Nu'aym reported in Hilyat al-awliya v.5, p.59, that
Abdullah Ibn Masoud said:
"...then Allah commanded the Tree of
Paradise to bear gems and jewelry; He then ordered it to sprinkle them
over the angels. So whoever received more than the others on that day,
will be proud of it until the Day of Resurrection."
3. This
narration was mentioned by: Kharazmi in Maqtal al-Hussain, Asqalani in
Lisan al-Mizan and Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, and Qandouzi in Yanabi' al-Mawaddah.
4. It
has been reported in Nuzhat al-Majalis that Anas Ibn Malik said:
"The Prophet (S) was in the mosque when he
said to Ali:
`Here is Gabriel informing me that Allah
gave Fatima to you in marriage, and made forty thousand angels testify
to her marriage. He also revealed to the Tree of Tuba to sprinkle them
with gems, rubies, jewelry and embellishments. When it had done this,
the Huris rushed to collect these gems, rubies, jewelry, and
embellishments to exchange them for gifts until the Day of Resurrection.
" (Suyuti reported this
narration in Tahdheer Al-Khawas.)
The
Messenger (S) performed the engagement proceedings in the mosque
while he was on the Minbar, in the presence of the Muslims, so as to
enact the practice of announcing and assigning witnesses to engagement
proceedings; and specified the amount of dowry, so that the Muslims
could follow his practice in requesting modest dowries for marriages. He
said:
"Avoid exaggeration in the (amounts of)
dowries, because this causes enmity (between you)."
The
Prophet also assigned the desirable practice of limiting dowry to five
hundred dirhams. He and the Holy Imams of Ahlul-Bayt never exceeded this
amount of dowry in their marriages.
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)..." [2]
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." [3]
The
Prophet gave Abu Bakr some money and asked him to accompany Bilal and
Salman, (or Ammar Ibn Yasir) to buy some household necessities for
Fatima's house. The Prophet said to Abu Bakr:
"Buy some appropriate household
necessities for my daughter with this money."
Abu Bakr
said: "He gave sixty-three (63) dirhams, so we went to the market and
bought the following:
1. Two mattresses made of Egyptian canvas.
(One stuffed with fiber and the other with sheep wool)
2. A leather mat
3. A pillow made of skin, filled with palm
tree fiber
4. A Khaibarion cloak
5. An animal skin for water
6. Some jugs and jars also for water
7. A pitcher painted with tar
8. A thin curtain made of wool
9. A shirt costing seven (7) dirhams
10. A veil costing four (4) dirhams
11. A black plush cloak
12. A bed embellished with ribbon
13. Four cushions made of skin imported
from Ta'ef, stuffed with a good smelling plant.
14. A mat from Hajar
15. A hand-mill
16. A special copper container used for
dyestuff
17. A pestle for grinding coffee
18. A (water) skin
When Abu
Bakr and the other companions had bought the above-mentioned articles,
they carried them to Umme Salama's house. When the Prophet (S) saw them,
he started kissing every article and supplicated to Allah, saying:
"O Allah, bless them for they are people
who the majority of their belongings are made of natural materials."
These
were all the furnishings they purchased for the daughter of the best of
all prophets and messengers. But indeed, marital happiness is not
achieved by wealth and overspending, nor can expensive wardrobes, gems,
golden ware, luxurious furniture, splendid palaces or comfortable
automobiles provide a person with marital happiness, contrary to the
beliefs of most people.
How many
wealthy women dressed in expensive wardrobes and embellished themselves
with gems and jewelry, which cover their necks, arms, and ears consider
life an unbearable misery. On the contrary, how many women are there who
live in shacks, who cook, bake bread, wash clothes, sweep floors, nurse
their children and struggle hard in light of their simple lives, yet
consider themselves happy people and their houses to be gardens of
Eden.
This
fact is also true for men. Yet, unfortunately, many young unmarried
women hold the wrong view that marital happiness can only be found
through wealth and luxuries. They consider simplicity a sign of misery
and deprivation; therefore, these miserable youths remain unmarried
waiting for marital happiness to knock on their doors, accompanied by
wealth and luxuries!!
References:
[1]
Bihar: v.5.
[2]
Bihar: v.6.
[3]
Musnad Ahmad. |