Many of Muhammads(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) companions asked for Fatimahs hand in marriage, including Abu Bakr and Umar. Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)turned them all down, saying that he was awaiting a sign of her destiny.[6] Ali, Muhammads cousin, also had a desire to marry Fatimah. When he went to see Muhammad(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam), he could not vocalise his intention but remained silent. Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)understood the reason for his being there and prompted Ali to confirm that he had come to seek Fatimah in marriage. He suggested that Ali had a shield, which if sold, would provide sufficient money to pay the bridal gift (mahr).[6][7] Muhammad(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) put forward the proposal from Ali to Fatimah, who remained silent and did not reject the proposal like the previous ones. Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)took this to be a sign of affirmation and consent.[6][18] The actual date of the marriage is unclear, but it most likely took place in 623, the second year of the hijra, although some sources say it was in 622. The age of Fatimah is reported to have been 9 or 19 (due to differences of opinion on the exact date of her birth i.e. 605 or 615) at the time of her marriage while Ali was between 21 and 25.[6][7][8] Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)told Ali that he had been ordered by God to give his daughter Fatimah to Ali in marriage.[19] Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)said to Fatimah: I have married you to the dearest of my family to me.[7] Ali sold his shield to raise the money needed for the wedding, as suggested by Muhammad(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam).[6] However, Uthman ibn Affan, to whom the shield was sold, gave it back to Ali saying it was his wedding gift to Ali and Fatimah.[7] Muhammad (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam)himself performed the wedding ceremony and two of his wives, Aisha and Umm Salama, prepared the wedding feast with dates, figs, sheep and other food donated by various members of the Madinan community.[6] According to Hossein Nasr, their marriage possesses a special spiritual significance for all Muslims because it is seen as the marriage between the greatest saintly figures surrounding Muhammad(SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam).[19] Their marriage lasted about ten years and ended when Fatimah died. Although polygyny is permitted by Islam, Ali did not marry another woman while Fatimah was alive.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 04:08:01 +0000
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