ভূমিকা

bashful. The Prophet encouraged him to speak and Ali

mustered the courage and asked the Prophet for his daughter’s

The Prophet accepted the request however he said to Ali,

“You should wait so that I may ask my daughter if she too will

Historians note that when the Prophet informed Fatima

al-Zahra about the marriage proposal, she remained quiet, to

which the Prophet said, “God is Great! Her silence confirms

her consent for this marriage!”

This acceptance was the next step in moving forward in

The date of solemnizing the marriage was approaching

and Ali realized that with his meagre possessions, it was going

he had were a sword and shield. As the sword was needed to

Fatima al-Zahra: The Spring of Inspiration

defend Islam, he was advised by the Prophet to sell the shield

to meet the expenses of marriage. He gladly sold it and

brought the proceeds of sale to the Prophet in order for the

amount was kept aside for the financial gift which Fatima al-

Zahra received. This gift, which would go on to be known as

mahr al-sunnah and was five hundred dirhams was a small

amount for such a great woman. However, keeping in mind

that the mahr is far from the “price” of the bride, this

sentimental gift was merely a humble offering to a woman

On the night of the marriage, the actions which the

Prophet displayed towards his daughter and her new husband

give us a unique glimpse into his care and concern and is

of Ali and informed her of the virtues of her husband. He then

made a mention of the personality of his daughter to his son-

Link Between Prophethood and Imamate

in-law and reminded his daughter that had Ali had not been

of life between the two - he entrusted the household affairs

to Fatima and made Ali responsible for all of the outside