The QUR'ANIC chapter AL-KAWTHAR was revealed...

The QUR'ANIC chapter AL-KAWTHAR was revealed; in it the Almighty says, {Surely, We have given you AL-KAWTHAR (abundance in offspring), so pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice. Surely he that hates you is the one cut off}. [AL-KAWTHAR: 1-3]. THE BLESSED MARRIAGE One day the Prophet's companions were at the Prophet's Mosque. They talked about the Prophet's only daughter, Fatima.

ABU BAKR, one of them, said, "Many prominent figures from the immigrants (AL-MUHAJIREEN) and the Muslim's of AL-MEDINA (AL-ANSAR) have sought Fatima's hand, but the Messenger of Allah has not approved the proposal of any. However, Ali has not proposed to her yet. I think if he proposes, the Messenger of Allah will accept him". SA'AD IBN MU'ATH, the chief of AL-WAS, a tribe of the ANSAR, said, "Let us see Ali and encourage him to seek her hand. Perhaps we may thus do a good deed".

They left the Mosque looking for Ali. They found him in the city's outskirts watering an orchard for one of the ANSAR landowners. They greeted him, then ABU BAKR said, "Brother Ali, you are one of the best people. You enjoy every quality that pleases Allah and His Messenger. It is time for you to have a wife. Why don't you propose to the Prophet's daughter, Fatima? The daughter of the Messenger of Allah may be yours. We have all proposed to her and have been rejected.

It seems Allah and His Messenger want Fatima to marry you". On hearing those words, Ali felt great longing to get nearer to the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) through marrying Fatima. But alas! He did not have enough money to give her a dowry. However, he was encouraged by them. He put his trust in Allah and made his way towards the Prophet's house. He expressed his great wish to marry Fatima. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) rejoiced on hearing Ali's proposal and said, "O Ali!

Many men have already proposed to her before you. When I told her of their proposals, she turned away in disapproval. Now, you wait while I tell her of yours. The Prophet entered her room and said to her, "O Fatima! Here is Ali son of ABI TALIB. You know his blood relation to you and his great struggle for the sake of Islam. I have prayed to my Lord to send you the best of His creatures and the one He loves most to be your husband. Ali has made a proposal to marry you.

What do you say?" Fatima did not turn away; she silently expressed her approval. The Prophet glorified Allah and conveyed to Ali her approval of his marriage proposal.