لطفا منتظر باشید ...
GLORIOUS HOUSE
The companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.) competed with
one another to win the hand of Fatimah Al-Zahra' (a.s.),
his only surviving child. They all knew the great status
and high position she enjoyed in Islam. She was part of
the Chosen Prophet (s.a.w.), his beloved daughter, and
the chief of Women of the World.
The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) turned down all his
companions' offers to marry Fatimah (a.s.).One day Imam Ali (a.s.) was told of some of the
companions' proposals. He heard of the Messenger's
objection to her marriage to any of his companions. He
felt a desire to go to the Messenger (s.a.w.) and ask for
his daughter's hand.
Before Imam Ali's (a.s.) call on the Prophet (s.a.w.),
to tell him of his desire, Jibril (a.s.) had informed the
Messenger (s.a.w.) of the command of Allah, the Exalted
and High, to marry Fatimah to Ali (a.s.).The Divine command, as related by the Holy Revelation,
was:
"...O Muhammad! Allah, the Most High, sends
His greeting to you, and says to you: "I have
certainly married Fatimah, your daughter, to Ali bin
Abi-Talib in heaven. So marry her to him on the
earth."(1)
Imam Ali (a.s.) knocked on the door of the room of Um
Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her. The Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.) was inside. The Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.) told him to come in. Imam Ali (a.s.) seated
himself next to the Messenger (s.a.w.) who said to him:
"I see that you have come on business. Tell me
about it. Unburden your soul. Any of your requests are
granted..."
Imam Ali (a.s.) told his dear leader that he desired
Fatimah's hand. On hearing this, the Prophet's face lit
up. He went to Al-Zahra' (a.s.) to tell her of Ali's
request. By doing so, be set an eternal Islamic concept
that marriage should be based on mutual consent and
agreement, so that the future family would be built on
cooperation, love and peace.The Messenger of Allah said to his daughter:
"Ali bin Abi-Talib is known to you, in his
closeness (to us), his merits and profession of
Islam...he talked about you. What do you say?"
Fatimah al-Zahra' (a.s.) was too shy to say a word.
Silence fell on the room and lingered.The Prophet (s.a.w.) kept looking at her countenance.
Satisfaction and consent were clearly drawn on it.
Presently, he went out, repeating from the depths of his
pure heart: "Allah is great! Her silence signals
her consent!"
As soon as he returned to Imam Ali (a.s.), the Prophet
(s.a.w.) asked him: "Do you have anything with
which I marry you (to Fatimah)?" Once more, the
Messenger (s.a.w.) established an Islamic rule for his
ummah throughout its generations which stipulates that
the man should import the dowry to his women as the first
sign of maintainance, and of his responsibility of
managing the affairs of the family.
Imam Ali had nothing beside his sword, a camel for
watering his field, and his coat of mail. He told the
Prophet (s.a.w.) of it. The Prophet (s.a.w.) said:
"As for your sword, you cannot do without it;
with it you strive in the way of Allah and fight the
enemies of Allah. With your camel you water your
date-palms and on it bring water to your family. When you
travel you carry luggage on it."
He ordered Imam Ali (a.s.) not to sell his sword and
camel but allowed him to sell his coat of mail which was
given to him by the Prophet (s.a.w.), to protect him from
the strikes of the enemies.Imam Ali (a.s.) sold his coat of mail and brought the
money to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) to buy the
bride's trousseau.
The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) delivered the money to
Bilal, Salman and Um-Salamah. They were assigned with the
task of buying the needed furniture, perfumes, and
clothes. They bought good, simple things. The Messenger
of Allah (s.a.w.) wanted to inform the Muslims of
Al-Zahra's betrothal to Ali (a.s.). He gathered some of
his companions to witness the ceremony of the blessed
contract of marriage. He addressed them in the following
words:
"Praise be to Allah, Who is praised through
His favors, worshipped through His power, obeyed through
His authority. He is the One feared, due to His trials
and punishment, Whose order is executed in His heavens
and earth. He created the creatures by His power,
distinguished them with His laws, strengthened them with
His religion, and honored them with His Messenger,
Muhammad. Allah, may His name be blessed, and His
greatness be high, made marriage an attached lineage and
an ordained duty by which He solidified family ties and
drew people together. He, the Mighty, says:
"And He it is Who has created man from the
water then He has made for him blood-relationship and
marriage relationship and your Lord is powerful."
Holy Qur'an (25:54)
"Allah's command certainly is excuted as His
decree. And His decree is obeyed as it is His will. Every
decree is issued at a certain time, and every time has a
duration, and every duration is fixed. Allah confirms or
abrogates what He pleases. His is the Eternal Book.
Allah, the Most High, ordered me to marry Fatimah, the
daughter of Khadijah, to Ali bin Abi-Talib. Bear witness
that I have married him (to Fatimah) with a dowry of four
hundred mithqals (unit of weight equal to about 5 grams)
of silver. That is, if Ali bin Abi-Talib agrees to
that."
Then he called for a dish of dates. It was placed in
front of the gathering."Partake of it," the Prophet (s.a.w.)
ordered, and they ate. All were eating when Imam Ali
(a.s.) entered. The Prophet (s.a.w.) smiled. Then he
said: "Allah has ordered me to give to you
Fatimah, in marriage with a dowry of four hundred
mithqals of silver if you agree to it."
"I agree to it, O Messenger of Allah,"
Ali replied.
Anas said: "The Prophet said: 'May Allah
strengthen the bond that connects you, make your
grandfather happy, bless you, and cause you to produce
much good."
"By Allah", Anas said, "He caused them
to produce much good."(2)
Before one month had slipped by after the ceremony of
the contract of marriage, Aqeel bin Abi-Talib, may Allah
be pleased with him, contacted his brother, Imam Ali
(a.s.), urging him to consummate the marriage."Why do you not?" he asked. "Ask the
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) to bring her (to your house),
so that your happiness, by your union, will be
completed."They agreed to approach the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.)
on the matter. But before doing anything, they met with
Um Ayman Barakah, the daughter of Tha'labah, a respected
woman and consulted her. She suggested that she would
talk about it to the mothers of the faithful (Prophet's
wives), who would, in turn, talk to the Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.).
The women met with the Prophet (s.a.w.). Um-Salamah,
on behalf of them, explained the matter to the Messenger
of Allah (s.a.w.).He sent for Ali. When he came, the
Prophet asked him:"Do you want your wife to be brought to your
house?" "Yes," the Imam replied.
"With pleasure," the Messenger
(s.a.w.) agreed. Then the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.) asked
Imam Ali (a.s.) to make a feast for the faithful. The
wives of the Prophet (s.a.w.) themselves cooked the food.
The guests enjoyed it.
Then the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) ordered
Um-Salamah and the rest of his wives to take Fatimah to
her new house. A procession presently started off led by
the Prophet (s.a.w.) chanting "There is no god
but Allah," and "Allah is great." The wives of the Prophet (s.a.w.) recited some verses
from the Holy Qur'an in honor of the occasion.
After the wedding ceremony, the Messenger of Allah
(s.a.w.) came to congratulate Imam Ali (a.s.). He said to
him:
"May Allah bless you on account of the
daughter of the Messenger of Allah." He took a
bowl of water, recited some Qur'anic verses over it, and
ordered Imam Ali and Al-Zahra' (a.s.) to drink from it.
Then he sprinkled a bit of it on their heads and faces
and held his hands up in prayer.
"O Lord ! They are the most beloved of the
creatures to me. Bless their offspring, and protect them.
I command them and their descendants into Your protection
from the accursed Satan."
Thus glory dwelt in the most honored house. The school
of Imamate was built in the shade of the revelation and
the message. It was made under the care of Allah, in the
light of His Shari'ah and His righteous path. These
ceremonies speak volumes of Islam's simpleness and
easiness. It is Islam that responds to the needs of the
spirit and the body It doesn't flee in the face of human
nature. It is harmonious with life, and the status quo,
with no pretention, imposition or injustice.On the strength of this, one could easily judge that the
Prophetic sunnah retains a lofty position regarding
Islam's teaching. The sunnah has a great role in
organizing the conduct and ties of the individual, the
family and the whole community.
