368 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMADAba Dz'od stated, "Ishzq b. Isma'il al-Taliqai related to us, quoting 'Abda,
quoting Sa'id, from Ayyab, from 'Ikrima, from Ibn 'Abbas, who said, 'When 'Ali
married Fatima, God bless them both, the Messenger of God (SAAS) told him,
"Give her something." He replied, "I have nothing." "Where is your Hutami
chain-mail?" he was asked."'
Al-Nasz1i related this from Haran b. Ishaq, from 'Abda b. Sulayma, from
Sa'id b. Abii Wraba, from an account of Ayyiib alSakhtiymi.
Aba Da'od stated, "Kathir b. mayd al-Himsi related to us, quoting Abii
Haywa, from Shucayb b. Aba Hamza; Ghaylw b. Anas related to me, from the
people of Hims; and Muhammad b. 'Abd al-Raha b. Thawban related to me,
from one of the Companions of the Prophet (SAAS) that when 'Ali married
Fauma and wanted to consummate the marriage, the Messenger of God (SAAS)
prevented him from doing so until he gave her something. 'Ali replied, '0
Messenger of God, I have nothing.' The Messenger of God (SAAS) told him,
'Give her your chain-mail.' He did so and then went in to her."
Al-Bayhaqi stated in al-Dalzlrl (The Szgns), "The hzji? Aba 'Ahd Allah
informed us, quoting Aba al-'Abbzs Muhammad b. Yacqiib al-Asamm, quoting
Ahmad b. 'Abd al-Jabbw, quoting Yiinus b. Bukayr, from Ibn Ishzq, that 'Abd
AllZh b. Aba Najih related, from Mujahid, from 'Ali, who said, 'I did ask the
Messenger of God (SAAS) to become engaged to Fziima. A freed-woman of
mine asked, "Did you know that someone has asked the Messenger of God
(SAAS) for permission to become engaged to Fabma?" "No," I replied. "Well,"
she went on, "she has been asked for; but what prevents you from going to the
Messenger of God (SAAS) and having him marry you?" I asked her, "Do I own
anything with which to get married?" She replied, "If you go to the Messenger
of God (SAAS) he will marry you."
"'She kept on encouraging me until I did go in to him. When I sat down before
him, I was struck dumb, I swear, and could not speak I was so much in awe.
"'The Messenger of God (SAAS) then asked me, "What brought you here?
Is there something I can do for you?" I remained silent but he said, "Have you
perhaps come to become engaged to Fzf ma?" "Yes, I have," I replied. "Do you
have something to give her in marriage?" he asked. "No, 0 Messenger of God,
I don't," I replied. He then enquired, "What did you do with the chain-mail I
provided for you?"
"'Now I swear by Him who holds 'Ali's soul in His hand, it was just a Hutarni
chain-mail, not worth four dirhams. I replied, "Yes, I have it." "Then I marry her
to you for it; send it to her as her marriage payment," he said. This, then became
the dowry paid for Facma, daughter of the Messenger of God (SAAS).'"
Ibn Ishaq stated, "Fatima bore to 'Ali, Hasan, Husayn and Muhsin - the last
of whom died young - Umm Kultham and Zaynab."
Al-Bayhaqi then related through 'At%' b. al-Sa1ib, from his father, from 'Ali,
who said, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) gave to Fzbm as her trousseau a soft
gown, a water-skin, and a leather pillow stuffed with sweet-smelling rushes."