Out of all the children, he was the most beloved to him. He said, 'The
Queen of the ladies in Jannat is Faatimah.' He also said, 'Faatimah is
part of my body. Whoever grieves her, grieves me.'
When Faatimah (RA) reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her
marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the
Prophet (SAWS) remainedirresponsive.
Ali (RA), who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I
should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, 'How could
this be accomplished,for I possess nothing.' At last, encouraged by
the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to
marry Faatima (Radhiyallaahu Anha). The Prophet (SAWS) was extremely
pleased and asked, 'Ali!Do you possess anything to give her in Mahr?'
I replied, 'Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing.'
The Prophet (SAWS) said, 'A soldier must, of course, have his horse.
Go and sell away your armour.'
So, Ali (RA) went and sold his armour to Uthmaan (RA) for 480 Dirham
and presented it to Rasulullah (SAWS). Bilaal (RA) was ordered by the
Prophet (SAWS) tobring some perfume and a few other things and Anas
(RA) was sent to call Abu Bakr, Uthmaan, Talhah, Zubayr with some
companions from the Ansaar (Radhiallaahu Anhum).
When these men arrived and hadtaken their seats, the Prophet (SAWS)
recited the Khutbah (sermon) of Nikaah and gave Faatimah (RA) in
marriage to Ali (RA). He announced, 'Bear you all witness that I have
given my daughter Faatimah in marriage to Ali for 400 Mithqaal of
silver and Ali has accepted.' He then raised his head and made Dua
saying, 'O Allah, create love and harmony between these two. Bless
them and bestow upon them good children.' after the Nikaah, dates were
distributed.
When the time came for Faatimah (RA) to go to Ali's (RA) house, she
was sent without any clamour, hue and cry accompanied Umm Ayman (RA).
After the ةesha Salaat, the Prophet (SAWS) went to their house, took
permission and entered. He asked for a basin of water, put his blessed
hands intoit and sprinkled it on both Ali (RA) and Faatimah (RA) and
madeDua for them.
The sovereign of both worlds gave his beloved daughter a silver
bracelet, two Yemeni sheets, four mattresses, one blanket, one pillow,
one cup, one hand-grinding mill, one bedstead, a small water skin and
a leather pitcher.
In this simple fashion, the wedding of the daughter of the leader of
the worlds was solemnised. In following this Sunnah method, a wedding
becomes very simple and easy to fulfill.
SOME METHODS DERIVED FROM THE ABOVEMENTIONED MARRIAGE
*. "Engagements" are contrary to the Sunnah. A verbal proposal and
answer is sufficient.
*. To unnecessarily delay Nikah ofboth the boy and the girl after
having reached the age of marriage is incorrect. (Note: But on the
other hand, some parents pray day and night endlessly for a quick
marriage to a good-looking, highly educated, well-off person who comes
from a grand family of great repute...in the case of a groom, a groom
with a high-flying job, etc. The minute we find such a groom or
bride,we jump to grab him/her. But how many of us spend sleepless
nights praying not fora speedy grand marriage but a marriage which is
filled with love, happiness, blessings and piety?)
*. There is nothing wrong in inviting one's close associates for the
occasion of Nikah. However, no special pains should be taken in
gathering the people from far off places. (Note: The money could
instead be spent in charity, to gain the blessings of the poor.)
*. It is appropriate that the bridegroom be a few years older than the
bride. (Note: TheProphet's first marriage was toKhadija, who was 15
years older than him. She was a widower and he was a virgin. They were
so happy together that he did not remarry until she passed away, even
though polygamy was widely practisedduring that time - before the
advent of Islam)
*. If the father of the girl is an Aalim or pious and capable of
performing Nikah, then he should himself solemnise the marriage.
*. It is better to give the Mahr Faatimi and one should endeavour to
do so. But if one does not have the means then there is nothing wrong
in giving less. (Note: The dowry isan obligation upon the groom's
family, not the bride's family!)
*. It is totally un-Islamic for those,who do not possess the means, to
incur debts in order to have grandiose weddings. (Note: On the
contrary, weddings are arranged on such a grand basis that often
parents cannot perform obligatory acts like Hajj for the next few
years because they lack funds, which were spent on the weddings of
their children)
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