Islam Guidance

3. Marriage to ‘Alī

3. Marriage to ‘AlÄ«

 Many proposals came for Fātima to the Prophet but he always rejected them saying that he was waiting for the divine commandment. Finally, ‘AlÄ« bin Abi Tālib approached the Prophet for Fātima’s hand in marriage. The Prophet went inside the house and asked Fātima about ‘AlÄ«’s proposal. Fātima just bowed her head in modesty. According to Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, “The face of Fātima bloomed with joy and her silence was so suggestive that the Prophet stood up saying ‘Allāhu Akbar, Fātima’s silence is her acceptance.’”

 The Prophet asked ‘AlÄ« about the mahr (dowry; marriage gift given by the groom to the bride). ‘AlÄ« said he just had three things from the possessions of this world: a sword, a shield and a camel which he used for watering the farms. The Prophet said that you need your sword for jihād and your camel for your livelihood, so go and sell the shield. ‘AlÄ« sold the shield for about 500 dirhams and gave the money to the Prophet as mahr. The Prophet used a portion of the mahr to buy jahÄ«z (the household necessities given to the bride by her family).

 The jahiz of the Mistress of the Women consisted of the following: 1. a shirt, 2. a large veil, 3. a black plush cloak, 4. a bed, 5. two mattresses, one filled with wool and another with palm tree fiber, 6. four cushions stuffed with good smelling leaves, 7. a curtain made of wool, 8. a mat, 9. a few jugs and bowls, 10. waterbag made of leather, and a few other simple items.

 This is how simple the marriage of ‘AlÄ« and Fātima was! It should serve as a lesson for those who think that one must have “all” before making the decision of marriage!

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