Marriage of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) - Dhul-Hijjah 2 A.H.

Whilst alluding to the progeny of the Holy Prophet(sa), the name of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) has already been mentioned. According to the records of all historians, Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) was the youngest child of the Holy Prophet(sa), from among the children he was blessed with from Ḥaḍrat Khadijah(ra).1 The Holy Prophet(sa) held Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) most dear to himself,2 and on account of her personal merit, she was undoubtedly most worthy of this distinct love. Now, her age had more or less reached fifteen, and she had begun to receive proposals of marriage. It was Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr(ra) who was the very first to make a request for Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) but the Holy Prophet(sa) apologized. Then, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) made a proposal, but his request was not accepted either.3 After this, upon judging that the intention of the Holy Prophet(sa) seemed to be with respect to Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra), both these honourable men approached Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) and encouraged him to make a proposal with regards to Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra). Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) who was perhaps already desirous, but was silent out of modesty, immediately presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) and submitted a proposal.4 The Holy Prophet(sa) had already received an indication by way of divine revelation that the marriage of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) should take place with Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra). Hence, when Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) presented a request, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “I have already received a divine indication in this respect.”5 Then, the Holy Prophet(sa) sought the consent of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra), who remained silent out of modesty.6 In a way, this was also an expression of acceptance. Therefore, the Holy Prophet(sa) gathered a community of the Muhājirīn and Anṣār, and formally announced the marriage of Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) and Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra).7 This event took place in the beginning or middle of 2 A.H. Afterwards, when the Battle of Badr had taken place8 it was proposed that the Rukhsatānah be held in the month of Dhul-Hijjah 2 A.H.9 The Holy Prophet(sa) called upon Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) and inquired of him as to whether he had anything to pay the dowry. Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) submitted, “O Messenger of Allāh! I have nothing.” The Holy Prophet(sa) responded, “What about that coat of mail10 I gave to you on that day (i.e., from the spoils of Badr)?” Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) responded, “That I do have.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “That shall suffice, bring it.”11 Hence, this coat of mail was sold for 480 dirhams and the Holy Prophet(sa) arranged for the expenses of the wedding from this very amount.12 The dowry which the Holy Prophet(sa) gave to Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) consisted of an embroidered shawl, a cushion made of hide which had been filled with dry date palm leaves, and a water-skin.13 It is also related in one narration that the Holy Prophet(sa) also gave Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) a hand-mill as part of her dowry.14 When these items had been arranged for, there was a need to obtain a home. Until now, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) perhaps lived with the Holy Prophet(sa) in an apartment built next to the mosque. However, a separate abode was now required, where husband and wife could reside after marriage. Therefore, the Holy Prophet(sa) instructed Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) to find a place where both of them could reside. Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) temporarily arranged for a home and the Rukhsatānah of Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) took place.15 On the very same day, after the Rukhsatānah, the Holy Prophet(sa) visited their new home and called for some water to be brought to him, prayed on it and then sprinkled it on both Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) and Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra), whilst repeating the following words:

Meaning, “O my Allāh! Bless the mutual relations of both of them, and bless those relations of both which are built with others and bless their progeny.”16

After this, the Holy Prophet(sa) left the newly wedded couple alone and returned. Afterwards, one day, when the Holy Prophet(sa) came to visit Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra), she submitted to the Holy Prophet(sa) that Ḥārithah bin Nu‘mān Anṣārī(ra) was in possession of a few homes, and asked if the Holy Prophet(sa) would request him to vacate one of them. The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “He has already vacated so many homes for our sake. Now I feel embarrassed in requesting more of him.” In some way or another, when Ḥārithah(ra) happened to find out about this, he came running to the Holy Prophet(sa) and submitted, “O Messenger of Allāh! Everything I own belongs to you my Master. By God, whatever you accept of me causes me greater joy then that which remains with me.” Then, this faithful Companion insisted and vacated one of his homes, and presented it to the Holy Prophet(sa). After this, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) and Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) moved to this home.17

At this instance, it would not be inappropriate to mention that among all the progeny of the Holy Prophet(sa), it was only Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) who remained alive until after his demise. All of the other children of the Holy Prophet(sa) passed away in his lifetime. Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) also possesses the distinction that from among all the children of the Holy Prophet(sa), only her progeny continued.18 As such, the people known as ‘Sādāt’ among the Muslims are from her very progeny. Ḥaḍrat Fāṭimah(ra) passed away six months after the demise of the Holy Prophet(sa).19