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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Fatima The Gracious Historical Distortions Regarding ‘Ali's (as) Right We have previously spoken of the unjustified slandering and distortion of ‘Ali (as) and his noble life with Fatima az-Zahra (sa).We have also stated that Imam ‘Ali's (as) marriage to Fatima az-Zahra (sa) caused many people to show their hidden resentment, and envy to them, by following every possible means to disturb Fatima’s (sa) life with her husband.

Among the many fabricated stories told against Imam ‘Ali (as) was that he had asked for Abu Jahl's (the chief of infidels) daughter's hand in marriage. When this news reached Fatima az-Zahra (sa), she rushed to her father who found out the falsity of the story. Yet, let us review how some writers used this story to put down the Commander of the Faithful (as), and their attempt to tarnish his reputation.

An Egyptian writer, for instance, considered this story to be undoubtedly authentic, and wrote the following in her book, The Prophet's Daughters, p.167. "‘Ali intended to marry a second wife besides Fatima... without bearing in mind that such action would be resented by the daughter of the Prophet of Islam." The invalidity of this statement is obvious, for there is not a man in the world who does not realize that his wife prefers to be the only woman he marries.

The writer adds: "It would have been better if ‘Ali had been satisfied with one wife," and filled up the pages of her book trying to show Abu Jahl's bad deeds, and his long-standing enmity to Islam. She then made a comparison between the Prophet's (as) daughter, and Abu Jahl's daughter with the intention of showing the disadvantages of the fabricated would-be marriage.

Strangely enough, the writer also made clear her resentment, and disapproval of fanatic Christian Orientalists who distorted the history of Islam, especially the famous Christian missionary-La Manze. However, unfortunately, she herself was heedless of the need to verify such a story, and instead considered its revelation undisputed. So, she used her imagination and fictitious style of writing for this story, just as fable writers would do.