Claimants to Fatima’s AlaihisSalam hand
Among the Faithful followers of the Holy Prophet were two, Abu Bakr and Umar, who were most anxious to marry Fatima AlaihisSalam and so cement and strengthen their relations with the Holy Prophet ﷺ; but when they appro- ached Nabi Pakﷺ (may peace be upon him) separately on the subject, the Apostle of God silenced them, saying that he had yet to wait for God’s command. From this they inferred that their suit was rejected and this left the field open to Ali AlaihisSalam, the only other person amongst the companions of the Holy Prophet ﷺ who might be con- sidered fit for such a match. Ali AlaihisSalam himself was hesitant, about approaching his master on the subject, because of sheer poverty, saying to Abu Bakr and Umar, when
matter. they discussed the matter with him, “Since both of you have been refused this honour, how can a poor person like me have the courage to address the Apostle in the This discussion, which was to have an import- ant effect on Ali’s life took place in an orchard where Ali was feeding his camel. Full of fraternal feelings, Abu Bakr and Umar had resolved to have a heart-to-heart talk with the young man and they urged him to press his suit. His objections they met by saying, “Because you are the first cousin of the Prophet you have a better claim than any one else. Moreover the Holy Prophet, who loves his daughter with all his heart would like to give her to a pious and upright man of your calibre.” Thus encouraged Ali, who had long admired Fatima resolved to see the Holy Prophet and ask for her in marriage.
Acceptance of Ali’s suit
In the interview that followed Ali’s usual bold courage deserted him and he found himself scarcely capable of utterance. Finally he overcame his bash- fulness sufficiently to say with down-cast eyes, “O Lord! Since you have fathered me from infancy, fed me, clothed me, educated me, and above all instructed me to follow the right path of Islam, it behoves you now to see me settled in life. “At this the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, “Since it is my daughter’s hand that you seek in marriage, I cannot say anything until I have consulted her.” Forthwith the Holy Prophet ﷺ went to Fatima and said, “My dear daughter, you are well acquainted with our blood relationship with Ali, his prowess and valour, his uncommon intelligence and his active loyal service to the cause of Islam. I have prayed to God to give me a son-in-law who may be a chosen friend of God- man whom He may hold dear. Now Ali asked me for your hand. Give me, your views on the matter.” Fatima, however, could not find words to reply, where- upon the Apostle of God stood up and said that her –
silence could be considered as tantamount to consent. Even to-day a bride in the East gives her consent by silence, a tradition that dates from the behaviour of Fatima on this occasion. The one of traditions say that, at this juncture, the angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad ﷺ (may peace be upon him) saying that God had performed Fatima’s marriage with Ali in Heaven and that He now ordered His Apostle to perform the same on this earth.
Alf’s dower
Having accepted Ali’s suit, the Holy Prophet ﷺ next asked him, “What dower can you bestow upon Fatima ?” Ali said “I own a camel and a coat of mail and these are all the earthly possessions which I can call my own.” The Holy Prophet then said, “Surely a camel is an indis- pensable necessity for a warrior and it would be unwise to part with it. The armour is an equally essential requisite, but should you agree to sell it, the proceeds of the sale will be acceptable as dower money.” This settled the terms of the marriage contract. 31
The Sale of the Armour
Ali then went to Uthman, who was renowned for his wealth among the Muslims and offered his armour for sale. Uthman agreed to buy it for 280 dirhems according to one account and for 500 dirhems according to another and paid the amount in cash then and there. After the transaction, Uthman said to Ali, “Since you have completed the sale of the coat of mail I have become its legal owner. Now I can dispose of it as I like best.” To this Ali replied “Undoubtedly you can”. Uthman then said, “You have a better claim upon this armour
than I or any one else. I give it to you as a free gift. It will be a souvenir from me. Please accept it.” Ali then went to the Holy Prophet and told him what had occurred, and the Apostle of God is said to have prayed to God to multiply his blessings on Uthman.
Preparations for the Wedding
Ali gave the money from the sale of the armour to the Holy Prophet, who instructed Abu Bakr to purchase with it, on his behalf, the articles necessary for Fatima’s dowry. Abu Bakr, accompanied by Ummar Yasir and Bilal, the famous Muezzin of Islam, went shopping. They purchased bed-clothes, a mattress, two pillows having leather covers, a cloth sheet, a bed, two earthen bowls, two earthen pitchers, a hand mill, a sieve, a leather bag, a mat for offering prayers, a leather bucket for drawing water and dress. Such money as remained was returned to the Holy Prophet, who spent it on per- fumes for the ceremony.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 