Marriage Of Imam Ali And Al Zahra'a According To Hadith Of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

Imam Ali (a.s) finally approached the Prophet (P.b.u.h) and asked for Fatima's hand in marriage. The Messenger, who has absolute guardianship over all Muslim men and women, including his daughter, would not announce his agreement to the marriage without Fatima's consent. By this action, He (P.b.u.h) made it clear that it is inevitable to obtain the daughter's permission for marriage, because she is the one who is to live with the man and share his life.

Indeed, giving a girl in marriage to someone without her prior approval or permission is a clear violation of her honor, degradation of her personality, disruption of her soul and a practical declaration to her that she is like an animal who can be sold or given as a gift to anyone without the right to state her opinion. The Prophet left Ali waiting for the answer.

The Prophet informed his daughter that Ali wished to marry her. Fatima did not need to ask about Ali's occupation, manners, age and other traits; because she knew all about his talents, excellent traits and long standing service to Islam. It is for this reason that the Prophet (P.b.u.h) only said to her: "Fatima, you know Ali Ibn Abu Talib's relationship to us, his devotion and faithfulness to Islam. I asked Allah to give you in marriage to the best of His creatures, and the most beloved to Him; and he (Ali) has declared his wish to marry you; what do you say?" Fatima did not reply, nor did she show a sign of rejection or resentment, so he (P.b.u.h) stood up and said: "Allah is the Greatest! Her silence is her approval." The Prophet considered Fatima's silence as her consent and approval of the marriage; because a shy, virgin girl is not expected to declare her agreement openly.

Yes, disagreement and rejection of marriage can be openly expressed by her. But shyness prevents a girl from declaring her wish to marry a man, but it does not stop her from rejecting it. The Prophet (P.b.u.h) went back to the waiting Ali and informed him of Fatima's approval of the marriage. He also inquired about the extent of his preparedness to fulfill the requirements needed for the wedding, because legally and traditionally there has to be a dowry.

Specially in light of the fact that this marriage would be remembered and be of great influence to the future generations. Thus, it was important to observe every element and event which would play a part of this marriage-within the limits of simplicity and modesty. When Ali had sold his sword, he brought the money to the Prophet; who divided it into thirds: one-third was for household necessities, one-third was for perfumes and embellishments for the wedding, and the remaining one-third he gave to Um Salamah, who was to give it back to Ali to assist him in paying for food for the guests attending the ceremony. Naturally, Ali's marriage to Fatima Zahra (a.s) raised envy and enmity in the hearts of some men; especially those who were rejected by Fatima and her father when they had asked for her hand.

So it was not strange to see some Quraishans come to the Prophet and say: "Surely you have taken a lowly dowry for Fatima from Ali." The Prophet replied: "It was not I who gave (Fatima to) Ali in marriage, rather Allah did so on the night of ascension near the Lotus tree (in the seventh Heaven)..." He then added: "Verily I am a man just like you, I many (from) your women and give you my (marriageable) women in marriage, save Fatima, for her marriage was revealed in Heaven."

The Messenger of Allah (P.b.u.h) said: 'O Fatima, do you know why you have been given the name Fatima?' Ali (a.s) said: 'Why was she named (Fatima)?' He replied: 'Because she and her followers (Shiites) are protected from Hell." When Allah created Adam... (until he said) there was a brilliant girl from whom light was illuminating and on her head was a golden crown ornamented with diamonds; the like of whom Adam had never seen.

Adam asked: 'My Lord who is this girl?'
Allah said: 'Fatima Bint Muhammad.'
Adam said: 'My Lord, who is her husband?'
Allah said: 'O Gabriel, open the gate of the ruby palace;' when Gabriel did, Adam saw a dome of camphor and inside it was a golden bed equipped by a young man as beautiful as Yusef.'

He then said: "This is her husband, Ali Ibn Abu Talib." Imam Al-Hassan Ibn Ali Al-Askari (a.s) reported that his Fathers quoted Jabir Ibn Abdullah as saying: "The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'When Allah created Adam and Eve, they strutted through paradise and said: 'Who are better than we?' At that moment they noticed an image of a girl like they had never seen before; from this girl came an illuminating light so bright that it almost blinded the eyes.

They said: 'O Lord, what is this?'
He answered: 'This is the image of Fatima, the mistress of your women descendants. '
Adam asked: 'What is this crown on her head?'
Allah said: 'Her husband Ali.'
Adam then asked: 'What are her two earrings?'

Allah replied: 'Her (two) sons, they were ordained in My ever-existent knowledge two thousand years before I created you." Despite Fatima's modest marriage on Earth, Allah, the Exalted, bestowed her with an honorable gift. He (Glory be to Him) gave her in marriage to Ali Ibn Abu Talib, before the Messenger himself did so. This is not abnormal, for Allah had given women who are much lower than Fatima in marriage to the Prophet (p.b.u.h).

Therefore, was it not possible for Fatima's wedding to have been celebrated in the exalted heavens, and attended by the nearest angels to Allah, the Exalted, as Prophetic traditions state?! Indeed, this is what happened in tribute to Fatima, her Father, her husband, and her future children who are the authorities of Allah on His creatures. The celebration took place in the fourth Heaven near Al-Bait Al-Ma'mour (the constantly attended house of Allah).

It was a unique event the like of which the universe had never encountered before. Angels from all the Heavens gathered in the fourth Heaven and erected the Minbar of Honor, which is made of light. Then Allah, The Almighty, revealed to one of His angels, Rahil, to ascend the Minber and praise and glorify His names as He deserves. Rahil, who was the most eloquent of all angels, did what his Lord revealed to him and said: "Praise be to Allah, since sempiternity of the first (creatures); He who is ever-lasting (even) after the cessation of all beings; We praise Him for making us spiritual angels;, who are submitting to His God ship, and for making us grateful for Him for His benevolence on us.

He safeguarded us from craving for lusts; and made our only pleasure and enjoyment to glorify and exalt Him. He Who extended His Mercy (upon everything); and bestowed His benevolence (upon everyone) Exalted is His Name from the polytheism of polytheists of the dwellers of Earth, And Elevated by His Creatures from the fabrications of the atheists. Allah, The Omnipotent King chose the one who was bestowed with special Divine Honor, and the worshipper of His Greatness, for His worshipper, the Mistress of women and the daughter of the best of prophets, the Master of all messengers and the Imam of the pious; so He brought into relations the Prophet with a man from his kin.

One who is his believing companion, and was prompt in answering his call-Ali, the devout, with Fatima the splendid and the daughter of the Messenger. Then Gabriel added the following words, which were from Allah, the Exalted: "Praise is My garment Greatness is My Magnificence All the creatures are My slaves men and women. I give Fatima, My Worshipper in marriage to Ali, My chosen worshipper. So bear witness O My angels." Reported that Jabir Ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Um Ayman came to the Prophet (p.b.u.h) crying; the Prophet asked her why she was crying? She replied: 'A man from the Ansar just informed me that his daughter has just been married, and that sprinkled sweets and almonds on her.

Thus, this reminded me that when Fatima married Ali, you did not sprinkle anything on her.' There-upon the Prophet said: "By Allah Who sent me with honor, and gifted me with the Messenger ship; when Allah gave Fatima to Ali in marriage, He ordered the nearest angels to surround the Throne-including Gabriel, Michael and Israfil. He also commanded birds to sing and ordered the tree of Tuba to sprinkle them with fresh pearls, white gems, green chrysolites and red rubies.' According to another tradition, he (p.b.u.h) said: "The marriage took place near the Lotus tree in the seventh Heaven, on the night of Ascension. (On that occasion) Allah revealed to the tree: Sprinkle all that you bear on them.' So it sprinkled them with gems, jewe1ry and corals." Then Allah commanded the Tree of Paradise to bear gems and jewelry; He then ordered it to sprinkle them over the angels. So whoever received more than the others on that day, will be proud of it until the Day of Resurrection."