When the Quraysh planned to kill the Prophet...

When the Quraysh planned to kill the Prophet, he left Mecca and migrated to Medina, and thus began a new era in the history of Islam. ‘Ali bin Abi Talib had been left behind by the Prophet to mislead the enemies, to return the property of others entrusted to the Prophet, and also to bring the remaining members of the Prophet’s immediate family to Medina.

After accomplishing the tasks given to him, ‘Ali started the journey towards Medina with three Fatimas: Fatima bint Asad (‘Ali’s mother), Fatima bint Zubayr ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib (aunt of Ali and the Prophet), and Fatimatu ‘z-Zahra’. The Prophet, who had left Mecca earlier, waited for ‘Ali and his family at Quba on the outskirts of Medina. When Abu Bakr suggested that they enter the city of Medina, the Prophet refused to do so until his cousin and his beloved daughter reached him in Quba.

And, indeed, the Prophet entered Medina only after those closest to him in family ties as well as in spiritual affiliation had joined him from Mecca! 2. Father & Daughter After Khadija’s death, the Prophet used to pay special attention to his daughter Fatima. Whenever he went on a journey, the last person to whom he would bade farewell was Fatima; and when he returned to Medina, the first person whom he would meet would be Fatima.

Every day before going to bed, the Prophet would kiss the cheeks of his daughter and say a prayer for her.

When the verse “Do not call the Prophet like the way you call one another”(24:63) was revealed, even Fatima, like everyone else, started to address him as “O the Messenger of Allah” instead of saying “O Father!” After hearing Fatima calling him in this very formal manner, the Prophet said, “O Fatima, this verse does not apply to you or your children...You should still call me ‘O Father’ because it brightens my heart and pleases Allah.” 3.

Marriage to ‘Ali Many proposals came for Fatima to the Prophet but he always rejected them saying that he was waiting for the divine commandment. Finally, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib approached the Prophet for Fatima’s hand in marriage. The Prophet went inside the house and asked Fatima about ‘Ali’s proposal. Fatima just bowed her head in modesty.

According to Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, “The face of Fatima bloomed with joy and her silence was so suggestive that the Prophet stood up saying ‘Allahu Akbar, Fatima’s silence is her acceptance.” The Prophet asked ‘Ali about the mahr (dowry; marriage gift given by the groom to the bride).