Fatima Bint Muhammad (RA) and her sisters settled into their lives in Madinah, rejoicing that they are finally reunited with their father again after the Prophet ﷺ left for Madinah on his own and in the dark of night. By this time, Fatima was a woman of eighteen and full of energy and passion with a personality that matched her father more than anyone else. This did not go unnoticed and many men started to come forward to ask her hand in marriage. First came Abu Bakr, and he was kindly refused by the Prophet ﷺ. Then came Umar, who was also kindly refused by the Prophet ﷺ. Umar went to Ali and suggested that he ask for Fatima’s (RA) hand. Ali was very much in love with her. However, Ali did not think that the Prophet ﷺ would accept his proposal, as he was very poor, especially when he saw that the proposals of two Companions were rejected. Umar reminded him of his family relationship with the Prophet ﷺ and his position in Islam and Ali became convinced that he might have a shot.
All Ali’s confidence melted away though when he finally got to the Prophet’s ﷺ house. He came inside, sat down and said nothing. “What is the matter, son of Abu Talib?” said the Prophet ﷺ. Ali was still too nervous to speak. The Prophet ﷺ asked again, “What is your mind, son of Abu Talib?” Again Ali said nothing. “You have come to ask for Fatima’s (RA) had in marriage, am I right?” Ali nodded. The Prophet ﷺ broke into a great smile and went and asked Fatima her opinion. When she approved, he told Ali that they accept his proposal. He then asked him if he had any dowry for her. Ali replied that he did not. “What about your shield?” asked the Prophet ﷺ? “It is worth barely more than 400 Dirhams,” said Ali. “I accept it as a dowry,” replied the Prophet ﷺ.
And so Ali sold his shield for 400 Dirhams and with the dowry the Prophet ﷺtold Bilal to buy some perfume for Fatima (RA) and he told Um Salama to buy her some new dresses. On the day of their wedding, their zaffa included all the Companians- Anas Ibn Malik, Abu Bakr, Umar, Talhah, Zubair and other Ansar and migrant friends. The food was dates that were offered to the guests. The wedding zaffa took them from Madinah to the outskirts of the city where Ali had found a home, as he couldn’t afford a place in the city.
Their house was a humble small room. It had a bed, a pillow filled with date leaves, a plate, a glass, a leather water bag, and a grinding stone for grinding flour. On their wedding night, the Prophet ﷺ told Ali and Fatima to wait for him in their new house. After Isha prayer, the Prophet ﷺ went to their house and asked for some water, which he used to make wudu, supplication, and said, “ Oh Allah bless them and bless their offspring.” He addressed Ali as his brother and asked him to place his hand on Fatima’s (RA) head and repeat some duaas. He then placed Ali’s hand on Fatima’s hand and advised them how to honor each other as husband and wife. “Ali do not get angry, and if you do, sit down. Remember Allah’s power over His servants and His tolerance of their sins. If you are advised to fear Allah, abandon your anger and go back to your deliberateness.” After he had given them all the advice he was walking out the door when he turned and said to them that they should pray two rakkahs.
So began the married life of Ali and Fatima (RA). Fatima was very much in love with Ali and content to live with him in poverty. He would work hard labor all day and she would too, grinding flour and working with her hands. So much so that the skin between her fingers was dead and her hands were always sore, as was Ali’s back. Ali, hating to see his wife in pain, once asked Fatima to see if her father could get her a maid from one of the prisoners of war. Her father refused saying it was a conflict of interest and told her he would give her something better than a maid. Her told her to recite Subhannallah (Glory be to Allah) thirty three times, Alhamdullilah (All praise be to Allah) thirty three times, and AllahuAkbar (Allah is greatest) thirty three times before going to sleep and it would give them the energy and strength they needed for the upcoming day. Ali said that he did that every night before he went to sleep, even during battles, and it gave him unbelievable strength.
At one point, Ali was thinking about marrying the daughter of Abu Jahl. This greatly upset Fatima (RA) and the Prophet ﷺ. It became such a big deal that the Prophet ﷺ gave his Friday sermon about it. He said that he cannot make Haram that of which is Halal, but when a man is to choose another wife, he must not make a decision that would greatly hurt his wife. He said that Fatima was a part of him, and anything that displeased her, displeased him. The daughter of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ and the daughter of his enemy could not be married to the same man. Ali immediately went and apologized to Fatima (RA) and she accepted his apology.
Another time, Ali and Fatima (RA) had gotten into a fight and he had walked out of the house. The Prophet ﷺ went to go visit his daughter as he does everyday and asked her where Ali was. She told him that he walked out. The Prophet ﷺ went and found Ali sleeping on the ground near the Mosque and covered in dirt. Prophet Mohammed ﷺ started to gently wipe the dirt off of his son in law and told him that it would be best for him to go home.
Just as their marriage has some rough times, like all marriages do, the majority of Ali and Fatima’s (RA) marriage was a happy one. The Prophet ﷺ would say that he would pass by their house and he could hear their laughter from far away. One time he was visiting them when he heard them laughing and entered and asked what was so funny. Ali said that Fatima (RA) keeps saying that she is older than him and he keeps telling her that she is not. The Prophet ﷺ said to Fatima that indeed Ali is five years older than her. “I know! I am just teasing Ali,” she replied. Ali used to always recite romantic poetry to her, many times funny ones that would make her laugh. Their children were raised in a household that was full of so much love.
Fatima (RA) and Ali were very devoted to Islam and integrated Islamic principles in their daily lives. One day, they were breaking their fast, when there was a knock on the door. Ali asked who it was and the person replied “a poor, hungry man”. Ali and Fatima (RA) gave him all of their food and broke their fast with only bread and water. The next day, they were breaking their fast when there was another knock on the door. This time it was “an orphan who is homeless and starving.” Again Ali and Fatima (RA) gave him all their food and broke their fast with bread and water. On the third day, at the knock on the door there was “a captive.” Once again Ali and Fatima (RA) at only bread and water as they gave all their food to the man. It was said that these three people were all angel Jibreel who was sent to test the patience of Ali and Fatima (RA). It was also said that Jibreel told Prophet Mohammed ﷺ about this and informed him that Ali and Fatima (RA) will have a carriage of silver in Paradise. Some scholars believe that it was this incident that caused the revelation of this verse:
{And they give food, in spite of their love for it [or the love of Him] to the needy, the orphan, and the captive [saying], ‘We feed you seeking Allah’s countenance only. We wish for no reward or thanks from you.} –Holy Quran, 76: 8-9
Ali and Fatimah had a beautiful marriage that is an exemplary love story for us all.
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