1st ZilHijjah 1432 A.H. - Marriage of Imam Ali(a.s.) with Bibi Fatima(s.a.)

[ZiaraatDotCom]

As Salam-o-alaikum,

1st ZilHijjah 1432 A.H. - Anniversary of the marriage of Imam
Ali(a.s.) and Bibi Fatima Zahra(s.a.)

I wish to extend my felicitations to the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw), his
Ahl-e-Bait(a.s.) and to all Momineen and Mominaat on this occasion of
happiness in the household of the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw).

A detailed account of the marriage ceremony is now available on the
site in the main page.

Here I present an extract from that account:

<< All proposals rejected >>
============================
When Hazrat Fatima(s.a.) attained the age of maturity and was ready to
get married, the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) started receiving proposals
from various people for her daughter. Hazrat Salman Farsi(r.a.) and
Hazrat Umm-e-Salma(r.a.) narrate that "When Hazrat Fatima(s.a.)
attained the marriageable age, the important people among the tribe of
Quraish started sending proposals to the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) but
the Prophet (sawaw) did not accept any proposal saying that he was
waiting for the order of Allah(swt) to decide this matter". Among the
aspirants for the marriage was Umar ibn-e-Khattab as well but he
received the same reply.

<< Imam Ali(a.s.) makes the proposal >>
=======================================
Hazrat Umm-e-Salma(r.a.) narrates that : One day Imam Ali(a.s.)
approached the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) at his house. Imam Ali(a.s.)
entered and greeted the Prophet(sawaw) and the Prophet(sawaw) replied
in the same kind manner. Imam Ali(a.s.) sat down and he was so much
shy that he continued staring at the ground and could not utter a
word. The Prophet(sawaw) smiled and said to Imam Ali(a.s.) that he
knew what Imam Ali(a.s.) had to say but he wanted to hear it from him.
He told Imam Ali(a.s.) that he does not need to be shy and to say
whatever he wanted to say.

With this encouragement and soft tone from the Prophet(sawaw), Imam
Ali(a.s.) said "My parents be ransom for you, you know that since my
childhood, I have dedicated myself for your service. You have educated
me from the beginning and brought me to this status. It was because of
your influence and training that Allah(swt) saved me from all sins and
guided me to the Sirat-e-Mustaqeem. It is because of your
encouragement that I feel this courage in myself to express my
heartfelt wish that you give me the honor of becoming your son-in-law.
I have concealed his wish in my heart for a long time thinking that
this might not be according to your wishes. Is there a possibility
that this could happen?".

<< Proposal accepted >>
=======================
Hazrat Umm-e-Salma(r.a.) narrates that "I was watching this affair
from a distance and I saw that as soon as Imam Ali(a.s.) completed his
request, the face of Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) lit up and he asked Imam
Ali(a.s.) - what have you got to realize this act?". Imam Ali(a.s.)
said "O Prophet of Allah(swt), you know my condition very well, I have
only a sword, an armor and a camel". Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) said:
"Ali, you definitely need your sword for fighting Jihad and camel for
traveling, however, you armor could work. O Abul Hassan(a.s.), I want
to give you the good news that Allah(swt) has made the decision and
already recited your Nikah with my daughter Fatima(s.a.) in the Arsh.
Just before your arrival, Allah(swt) sent an angel to give me this
good news."

This event has been narrated in "Maarij an-Nabuwwah" of Moeen Kashfi,
"Sifwatul Safada" of ibn-e-Jozi, "Madarij an-Nabywwah" on 2:75 of Shah
Abdul Haq Dehalvi.

<< Nikah recited on the Arsh >>
===============================
"Maarij an-Nabuwwah" also states that Hazrat Jabreel(a.s.) narrated
the story of the Nikah recited on the Arsh. He said "O Prophet of
Allah(swt), Allah(swt) has chosen you and made you the most respected
and high among his creatures and has selected Ali(a.s.) as your
brother and has decided that the Nikah of your daughter and the
servant of Allah(swt), Fatima(s.a.) would be with Ali(a.s.).
Allah(swt) arranged for their Nikah in such a manner that he addressed
the dwellers of Jannah to dress themselves with ornaments of Jannah
and then ordered all the angels to assemble together on the 4th Sky.
He then filled the 4th sky with Noor and then appointed Hazrat
Adam(a.s.) to recite Khutba to begin the Nikah ceremony. After khutba
of Hazrat Adam(a.s.), Allah(swt) ordered an angel named Raheel to
recite Hamd. Raheel is the most beautiful of angels and possesses the
most beautiful voice. After recitation of Hamd, Allah(swt) informed me
(Jabreel(a.s.)) that He has performed the Nikah of His servant Hazrat
Fatima(s.a.) with His chosen person Imam Ali(a.s.) and that I should
spread this news among the angels. I acted accordingly and made all
the angels testify the event. Allah(swt) then ordered me to write all
this event on this silk cloth of Jannah and present it to you."

After mentioning this event, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) said "O Abul
Hasan(a.s.), the order of Allah(swt) has been served and I invite you
to come to the mosque so that this Aqd should be formalized on the
earth as well among witnesses."

Such was the importance of this marriage that Allah(swt) arranged the
ceremony on Arsh and then Himself decided and recited the Nikah of
Imam al-Muttaqeen, Ami-ul-momineen Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib(a.s.) with the
leader of the women of this world and in paradise Hazrat Fatima(s.a.).

The above event has been mentioned in various other books as follows:

- Muaraj an-Nabuwwah
- Al asaba fee tameez as-Sahaba
- Sawaeq-e-muharriqa by Ibn-e-Hajr Makki
- Al Bayan wal Bateen by Allam Jaahiz
- Nuzhat-ul-Majalis by Allama Abdur Rehman Safori
- Riyaz un-Nazrah fee Manaqib-ul-Ashra by Allama Muhib Tabri

<< Nikah recited on Earth >>
============================
Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) led Imam Ali(a.s.) into the mosque and asked
him to sell off his armor and present that money to the
Prophet(sawaw). The dress was sold in 400 dirhams according to some
traditions, and the proceeds were presented to the Prophet
Mohammmd(sawaw) who gave them to Hazrat Salman Farsi(a.r.) and Hazrat
Bilal(a.r.) and asked them to buy some articles of use from the
market. They went to the market and bought the following items as
jahez (dowry) of Hazrat Fatima(s.a.)

- Two mattresses made of Egyptian canvas. (One stuffed with fiber and
the other with sheep wool).
- A leather mat.
- A pillow made of skin, filled with palm tree fiber.
- A Khaibarion cloak.
- An animal skin for water.
- Some jugs and jars also for water.
- A pitcher painted with tar.
- A thin curtain made of wool.
- A shirt costing seven (7) dirhams.
- A veil costing four (4) dirhams.
- Black plush cloak.
- A bed embellished with ,ribbon.
- Four cushions made of skin imported from Ta ‘ef stuffed with a good
smelling plant.
- A mat from Hajar.
- A hand-mill.
- A special copper container used for dyestuff
- A pestle for grinding coffee.
- A (water) skin.


When the items of Jahez were received, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) went to
Hazrat Fatima(s.a.) and said "Your Nikah has been recited on the Arsh
by Allah(swt) with my cousin Ali(a.s.) and He(swt) has ordered me to
recite your Nikah on the earth as well. I have gathered my companions
to do so and now seek your agreement and permission to recite this
Nikah." Hearing this, Hazrat Fatima Zahra(s.a.) bowed her head with
shyness which indicated her agreement. The Prophet(sawaw) came out of
her hujra and ordered Hazrat Bilal(a.r.) to gather all Ansaar and
Muhajireen. Once the companions were gathered, Prophet Mohammad(sawaw)
recited Hamd of Allah(swt) and narrated to his companions that
Jibreel(a.s.) had informed him that Allah(swt) has performed the Nikah
of Hazrat Ali(a.s.) with his daughter on the Arsh and has ordered him
to recite the same on the earth as well. He asked Imam Ali(a.s.) to
formally request for the marriage in front of the witnesse. After
reciting greatness of Allah(swt) and presenting his profound gratitude
to him and reciting darood for Prophet Mohammad(sawaw), Imam Ali(a.s.)
formally requested for the marriage. Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) accepted
the request and made all the companions witnesses. Upon hearing this
all the companions greeted Imam Ali(a.s.) and the Prophet(sawaw).

Prophet Mohammad(sawaw) recited the Nikah himself and asked Imam
Ali(a.s.) if he accepted the Nikah for a Mehr of 400 Misqaal of
Silver. Imam Ali(a.s.) accepted and then the Nikah was formally
concluded. Both offered Sajda-e-Shukr to Allah(swt) and all the
companions present there congratulated and greeted both Imam Ali(a.s.)
and the Prophet Mohammad(sawaw).

<< Marriage and move of Hazrat Fatima(s.a.) >>
==============================================
A non-planned period of time elapsed between the nikah and the wedding
ceremony, because Imam Ali(a.s.) was too shy to ask the Prophet to
assign a day for the wedding, while He(sawaw) wanted to protect
Fatima’s pride by refraining from asking Imam Ali(a.s.) to do so.

A month or more passed by before Imam Ali(a.s.) said anything
regarding the wedding. Aqeel (Imam Ali(a.s.)’s brother) asked him
about the reason for the delay in holding the wedding ceremony and
encouraged him to prepare for the wedding and to ask the
Prophet(sawaw) to assign a date for it. Despite Imam Ali(a.s.)’s
shyness, he accompanied Aqeel to the Prophet’s house to fulfill his
wishes. On their way to the Prophet’s house, they met Um Ayman(r.a.)
who, when told the reason for their visit, asked them to leave the
matter to her. She, in turn, informed Um Salama(r.a.) who brought the
matter to the attention of the Prophet(sawaw) who called for Imam
Ali(a.s.) and asked his opinion. Imam Ali(a.s.) expressed his desire
to bring Hazrat Fatima(s.a.) to his home which was donated by one of
his followers. The Prophet(sawaw) asked Imam Ali(a.s.) to hold a
dinner (walima) because Allah(swt) is pleased with those who do so;
for the social good it does-such as bringing people together and
implementing love and harmony among them.

Imam Ali(a.s.) arranged for the dinner and invited the people to the
feast. Men and women from all around Medina gathered in the house.
They ate, drank and even took food to their homes. The blessings of
the Prophet(sawaw) were obvious on that day, for not only the food was
enough to feed everyone, but also it did not decrease at all. The
Prophet(sawaw) asked for food containers to be brought and filled them
and sent them to his wives and left a special container for Hazrat
Fatima(s.a.) and her husband.

By sunset, the wedding night had begun; it was time for Hazrat
Fatima(s.a.) to depart to her new home. Everything went well, for the
Prophet(sawaw) had made all the necessary preparation for the wedding.
Despite the simplicity and modesty of her wedding, Hazrat
Fatima(s.a.)’s marriage ceremony was surrounded by signs of greatness,
excellence, and beauty.

The Messenger of Allah(sawaw) ordered his wives to embellish Hazrat
Fatima(s.a.) before the wedding; they perfumed and dressed her with
jewelry. They all helped her to get ready; some combed her hair while
others embellished and dressed her in the dress brought by Gabriel
from the Paradise. Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi in Tareekh Baghdad V.5, P.7,
Al-Hamvini in Durar Al-Simtain, Al-Dhahabi in Mizan Al-Etedal, Garani
in Akhbar Al-Dowal, and Qandouzi in Yanabi’ Al-Mawaddah have narrated
that Ibn Abbas said:
‘When Fatima was taken to Ali’s house on her wedding night, the
Prophet(sawaw) preceded her, Jibraeel was on her right, and Mikaeel on
her left, and seventy thousand angels followed her. These angels
praised and glorified Allah(swt) until dawn!

The Hashemite men, Abdul Muttalib’s daughters, and Muhajarin 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(sawaw) placed Hazrat Fatima(s.a.)’s hand in
Imam Ali(a.s.)’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."


-----------------------------------------------------------
This newsletter is sent to 15,411 direct members at the site
and 59,874 indirect members through discussion and news groups
-----------------------------------------------------------