Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' (a): Difference between revisions

Lady Fatima (a) received several marriage proposals, however she chose to marry [[Imam Ali (a)]]. According to some researchers, after the Holy Prophet (s) [[hijra|migrated to Medina]] and became the leader of the Islamic community, Fatima (a), because of her being the daughter of the Holy Prophet (s) was held in very high regard by the [[Muslims]].<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, "Izdiwāj-i Fāṭima", vol. 1, p. 128.</ref> In addition to this, because of her superior qualities over the other women of her era<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 8, p. 165; Qāḍī Nuʿmān al-Maghribī, ''Sharḥ al-akhbār'', vol. 3, p. 29.</ref> and the clear love that the Holy Prophet (s) showed to her<ref>Muttaqī al-Hindī, ''Kanz al-ummāl'', vol. 7, p. 129.</ref> caused some Muslims to pursue her hand in [[marriage]].<ref>Ṭabāṭabāyī, "Izdiwāj-i Fāṭima", vol. 1, p. 128.</ref>

Even some of the Quraishi dignitaries, because of their precedence in accepting [[Islam]] or financial reputation also asked for Fatima's (a) hand in marriage.<ref>Irbilī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 363; Khwarizmī, ''al-Manāqib'', p. 343.</ref> [[Abu Bakr]], [[Umar]],<ref>Ḥākim al-Nīyshābūrī, ''al-Mustadrak ʿalā l-ṣaḥīḥayn'', vol. 2, p. 167-168.; Nisāʾī, ''al-Sunan al-kubrā'', vol. 5, p. 143.</ref> [['Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf]]<ref>Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 82.</ref> and Imam Ali (a) are said to be among this group. All proposals except the one brought by Imam Ali (a) were rejected by the Holy Prophet (s).<ref>Khwarizmī, ''al-Manāqib'', p. 343.</ref> The Holy Prophet (a) is reported to have said in response to these proposals: "The marriage of Fatima is a heavenly ordainment and requires a divine verdict."<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 8, p. 19.</ref> In some instances, the discontent of Fatima (a) towards the proposer has been reported.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''al-Amālī'', p. 39.</ref>

Due to his family attachment with the Holy Prophet (a) and the ethical and religious traits of Fatima (a), Imam Ali (a) truly desired her hand in marriage;<ref>Irbilī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 364;  Ṣadūq, ''al-Amālī'', p. 653.</ref> however, historians have narrated that he shunned from proposing to the Holy Prophet (s) for his daughter.<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Ikhtiṣāṣ'', p. 148.</ref> [[Sa'd b. Mu'adh]] informed the Holy Prophet (s) about this, which lead to the Holy Prophet (s) accepting the proposal of the Imam (a).<ref>Mufīd, ''al-Ikhtiṣāṣ'', p. 148.</ref> He then took the proposal to Fatima (a) and told her of his praiseworthy traits and characteristics, to which she gave her approval.<ref>Ṭūsī, ''al-Amālī'', p. 40.</ref> Imam Ali (a), like the other migrants (muhajirun), during the early period after the migration did not enjoy a stable financial situation and therefore found difficulty in addressing the prescribed [[Mahr|dowry]] payments.<ref>Ibn Athīr al-Jazarī, ''Usd al-ghāba'', vol. 5, p. 517.</ref> In resolving this issue, he followed the advice of the Holy Prophet (s) and gave the money earned from selling or loaning his armor as the dowry to Fatima (a).<ref>Irbilī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 358. </ref> The marriage ceremony of Imam Ali (a) and Lady Fatima (a), which was attended by the Muslims, took place in the mosque.<ref>Khwarizmī, ''al-Manāqib'', p. 335-338. Ṭabarī, ''Dalāʾil al-imāma'', p. 88-90.</ref>