This is the second in a brand new short series called “Righteous Romances”, exploring love stories from the Sahaba (R.A). We hope you find it beneficial! In case you missed part 2, you can read it here
Have you ever come across a couple that seemed as though they were made for each other? Like everything about her complements everything about him?
If ever there was a marriage you could describe that way, it would be between two of the most beloved people to our Prophet ﷺ :
Fatima, his youngest daughter, the key to his heart, and the leader of the women of paradise…
And ‘Ali, the first boy to embrace Islam, the warrior, the Harun of this Ummah.
What makes their love story truly beautiful is not their status in Islam, or any glamour, but in its simplicity, and in how they worked to make their love last.
The Proposal
It was not long after the Battle of Badr when Fatima (R.A) began to receive proposals.
First came Abu Bakr, then Umar, and to each of them the Prophet ﷺ said no, indicating he had someone in mind for her.
Who could it have been? How special must this suitor for the Prophet’s daughter be that he would turn away his most senior companions?This was Fatima after all, the closest of all the Prophet’s ﷺ children to him.
Nicknamed az-Zahra (the radiant one) Fatima resembled her father the most in her appearance and her character. She was with him in the most difficult episodes in his life, caring for her father after the loss of Khadijah.
If ever she entered upon a gathering where her father was present, he ﷺ would insist that she take his seat.
‘Ali could not have imagined that he would be a worthy prospect, especially as the most senior companions had been refused.
You see, at that time, ‘Ali was incredibly poor, with nothing but an old iron shield to his name.
As a young bachelor, only around 23 years old, ‘Ali was immersed in Jihad, and had little concern for business or wealth at that time.
The idea of the two marrying seemed to be on everyone’s minds but his, but after some encouragement from his relatives, ‘Ali finally mustered to confidence to go to the house of the Prophet ﷺ and ask that daunting question… yet when he arrived, that confidence quickly vanished, and ‘Ali fell silent.
The Messenger ﷺ put him out of his misery: “Perhaps you have come to ask for Fatima’s hand?”
All ʿAli could manage was a nod, and the Prophet ﷺ smiled, asking what ‘Ali had to offer as a dowry… and therein lay ‘Ali’s predicament.
“I own nothing, O Messenger of Allah, except for this shield of mine.” ‘Ali said, so the Prophet told him to sell the shield, and that would suffice for the dowry.
A Simple Wedding
When ‘Ali went to the marketplace, he ran into ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan who enquired about the shield. ‘Ali told him that it was not worth more than 4 dirhams, but ‘Uthman, knowing the reason for ‘Ali’s business in the marketplace, smiled, and offered him 400 dirhams instead. Elated, ‘Ali agreed to the sale, upon which ‘Uthman handed back the shield, saying it was a wedding gift.
Part of the dowry would buy perfume for the bride, whilst the rest was used to buy household items. The wedding preparations began, and the Sahaba eagerly jumped at the opportunity to get involved.
A’isha and Umm Salama (R.A) helped to prepare the home for the newlyweds, whilst others went out to purchase items for the house.
The walimah itself was simple, with a meal of only dates, barley, and water, and yet it was one of the happiest days in Madinah, as two of the most beloved people to the Messenger ﷺ began a new life together, and what an incredible life it would be.
Struggles and Smiles
The newlyweds moved into a hut so small it held only a single straw mattress that served as a bed at night, a couch by day, and a feeding‑trough for their animals in the afternoon.
ʿAli found work where he could, which typically involved carrying timber and water until his back ached, while Fatima would work diligently at home, grinding barley until blisters split her palms.
Like all couples, they had their fair share of rough patches, too.
On one occasion, the Prophet ﷺ went to visit his daughter, and when seeing that she was visibly upset, asked, “Where is your uncle’s son?” (meaning ‘Ali). Fatima explained that the two had an argument, after which ‘Ali left to go to the masjid. The Prophet ﷺ later found ‘Ali there, asleep and covered in dirt.
One might imagine that ‘Ali was in for a serious scolding from his father-in-law, but instead, the Prophet ﷺ gently patted the dirt off of ‘Ali’s cloak, jokingly saying, “wake up O Abu Turab (father of dust),” diffusing the situation before sending him home to his wife.
Despite their troubles and struggles, their simple palm tree home would be filled with even more love and laughter.
One morning as ‘Ali found Fatima brushing her teeth, he began reciting poetry to her, teasing at her siwak (tooth stick):
“You have seized her mouth, O branch of the Arak
Were you not afraid that I would see you?
Had you been a warrior, I would have slain you
No one has been able to defeat me, O siwak, except you.”
These candid verses became a classic of Arabic romance poetry, and are just a small glimpse into the passion and affection between these noble spouses.
Entering Parenthood
It was not long after their marriage that their family quickly grew, with the arrival of their first son just a year later.
ʿAli, being the bold and brave mujahid, named him “Harb”, meaning “war”, whereas the Prophet renamed him to Hasan, meaning goodness, and declared, “O Allah, love him and love those who love him.”
The next year, they welcomed their second son, and again, ‘Ali decided to name him “Harb”, but the Prophet once again said, “rather his name is Husayn (Little Hasan).”
‘Ali persisted with the birth of his third son, who the Prophet ﷺ would once again rename Muhsin (Doer of Good). Whilst many of us know of the first two sons, Muhsin would sadly pass away in his infancy.
Their daughters, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum completed the family unit, and would fill the household of the Prophet ﷺ with delight for years to come. The stories demonstrating the Prophet’s affection for his grandchildren are too many to enumerate, especially with Hasan and Husayn.
The Whispers of Parting
Ten years into the marriage, fever consumed the Prophet, and he ﷺ knew that his final days on this earth were upon him.
As his family surrounded him, he ﷺ called for Fatima to draw closer, whispering something into her ear that caused her to cry intensely.
The Prophet ﷺ called her a second time, whispering into her ear again, but this time causing her to laugh.
It was not until after his passing that Fatima would reveal what he ﷺ had said to her that caused her sadness and her laughter.
The first piece of news was that he ﷺ would soon die, and the second was that she would be the first of his household to join him.
Sure enough, not six months had passed before Fatima (R.A) would depart from this world.
ʿAlī washed and shrouded her body, weeping intensely, before leading her janaza.
It is said that he would visit her grave after her burial, composing for her a raw and grief-stricken elegy.
He would later say that neither battle nor civil strife hurt him like the twin blows of losing the Messenger ﷺ and the radiant one, az-Zahra, within six short months.
May Allah join us with them.
Recent Comments