PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES It was then that she saw her...

PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES It was then that she saw her revered father preaching Islam in an un-conducive atmosphere. The hostility of the infidels and the death of ABU TALIB and KHADIJA were the shocks that broke the heart of the Prophet (p) Fatima (as) sometimes saw and dressed the wounds sustained by her father due to the stones flung at him by hostile infidels. She might have heard that certain wretches hurled rubbish on her noble father.

She might also have learnt of the plans made to put an end to his life. But from all these things, Fatima (as) was neither frightened nor disheartened. She comforted her father even at that tender age, so much so that he gave her the title of "UMMU ABIHA", mother of her own father. She was dismayed at seeing the whole world around her hostile to her father, bent upon ending his life.

The entire family was blanketed with clouds of sorrowful grief as a result of the almost daily humiliation and mockery to which her most revered father was subjected. MIGRATION When the Migration took place, Fatima (as) was left under the care of Fatima daughter of ASAD. It was a horrible test for the girl of eight to see a group of blood-thirsty enemies surrounding the house with drawn swords.

The departure of the loving father whose life was at stake was no less shocking, but Fatima (as) went successfully through this ordeal by virtue of God-gifted courage and fortitude. MARRIAGE It was after one year's stay at Medina that Fatima (as) came of age. The Prophet loved and esteemed her a great deal, so much so that whenever she came to him, he respectfully stood up for her.

Many dignitaries, including some companions of the Prophet, sought the honor of marrying her, and some made their request formally, but the Prophet rejected all of them saying that he awaited God's Decree in that matter. Fatima (as) was the model of the Prophet's teaching among women just as Imam Ali (as) was the best embodiment of his instructions and manly qualities among men. Judged from this point of view, they were the most suitable couple.

But Imam Ali (as) was too modest to speak on this subject; therefore, some individuals encouraged him to make the formal request. Some historians say that she was nine, others say she was eleven, when her cousin Imam Ali (as) finally proposed to marry her. Her holy father said to her upon that occasion: "Ali has sought your hand for marriage. You are perfectly aware of his kinship to you and devotion to Islam.