3. Marriage to ‘Alī
ManyproposalscameforFātimatotheProphet buthealwaysrejected
themsayingthathewaswaitingforthedivinecommandment.Finally,
‘AlībinAbiTālibapproachedtheProphetforFātima’shandinmarriage.
The Prophetwent inside the houseandaskedFātimaabout ‘Alī’spro-
posal. Fātima just bowed her head in modesty. According to Umm
Salama, the Prophet’swife,“The faceof Fātimabloomed with joyand
her silencewassosuggestivethat the Prophet stoodupsaying ‘Allāhu
Akbar, Fātima’s silence is her acceptance.’”
TheProphetasked‘Alīaboutthemahr(dowry;marriagegiftgivenby
thegroomtothebride).‘Alīsaidhejusthadthreethingsfromthepos-
sessionsofthisworld:asword,ashieldandacamelwhichheusedfor
wateringthefarms.TheProphetsaidthatyouneedyourswordforjihād
andyourcamel foryour livelihood,sogoandsellthe shield.‘Alīsold
the shield for about 500 dirhams and gave the money to the Prophet
asmahr.The Prophetusedaportionof themahrtobuyjahīz(thehouse-
hold necessities given to the bride by her family).
ThejahizoftheMistressoftheWomenconsistedofthefollowing:1.a
shirt,2.alargeveil, 3.ablack plushcloak,4.abed,5.twomattresses,
onefilled withwoolandanotherwithpalmtreefiber,6.fourcushions
stuffedwithgoodsmellingleaves,7.acurtainmadeofwool,8.amat,9.
a few jugs andbowls, 10.waterbag madeof leather, and a few other
simple items.
This is how simple the marriage of ‘Alī and Fātima was! It should
serveas a lesson for those who thinkthat one must have“all” before
making the decision of marriage!