The extraordinary virtues of Lady Fatima (p.b.u.h) on one hand, her blood relations with the Prophet on the other hand, and the nobility of her family furthermore, caused many of the high-ranking supporters of the Prophet to propose to her; but all heard negative answers; each time, the Prophet (s) saying: “Her matter is in the hands of her Lord.”

But when Imam Ali (s) expressed his tendency to marry Lady Fatima, the Prophet became cheerful and smiled and Lady Fatima kept quiet. The Prophet interpreted her silence as her assent, then read the sermon of marriage; declared Ali and Fatima husband and wife, and invoked the blessings of Allah upon both of them. All the guests congratulated and feasted upon lamb meat, bread, date fruit and milk. Certainly the dowry of the holy Fatima was not more than 500 dirhams and less than 400 dirhams, while the dowry (tocher/jihaz) of the holiness was prepared with it.

The entire marriage ceremonies of the most important personalities of lslam, were performed in the simplest and most modest way. This was a model for all the faithful to follow, and was a perfect example of an Islamic marriage.

By: Marziye Ebadi