When Did Fatimah رضي الله عنها Marry Ali رضي الله عنه?
Just like the Prophet ﷺ contracted marriage with Aishah رضي الله عنها in Makkah and consummated marriage in Madinah; we see something similar in the marriage of Fatimah رضي الله عنها.
Imam Ibn Sa'd رحمه الله recorded, "Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه married Fatimah رضي الله عنها in Rajab (1 AH), 5 months after the Prophet's ﷺ hijrah to Madinah. He consummated his marriage with her after he returned from the Battle of Badr (in Ramadan 2AH), and she was 18 years old when he consummated the marriage with her." [Tabaqat al-Kubra]
Imam Ali al-Halabi رحمه الله writes, “Ali رضي الله عنه was 21 years old when he married Fatimah رضي الله عنها and that she was 15 years old.” [Seerah al-Halabiyyah]
The Marriage of Fatimah and Ali رضى الله عنهما
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Buraidah that his father said, "Abu Bakr and Umar رضى الله عنهما proposed marriage to Fatimah but the Messenger of Allah said, 'She is young.' Then Ali proposed marriage to her and he married her to him." [Nasai]
Ali رضي الله عنه said, "I wanted to propose marriage to the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), but I thought: I have nothing, so how could it be? Then I remembered how he upheld ties of kinship and his kindness and generosity, so I asked him for his daughter's hand in marriage. He said, 'Do you have anything?' I said, 'No'. He said, 'Where is the Hutamiyyah shield that I gave you on such and such a day?' I said, 'I have it.' He said, 'Then give it to her.' [Ahmad]
Fatimah رضي الله عنها was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه with a dowry of a Hutami armor that was worth 400-500 dirhams after the Battle of Badr in 2 AH. After the nikah, Fatimah رضي الله عنها walked to the house of Ali with Umm Ayman. She was around 15 years and 5 months of age at this time while Ali was around 21 years of age. [Tafsir al-Qurtubi]
The Prophet ﷺ commanded Aishah رضي الله عنها to decorate the house for Fatimah رضي الله عنها. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها assisted Aishah in this task. Aishah reports that they began preparations and brought good quality sand from Wadī Batha’ with which they plastered the walls. They then cleaned and straightened the barks of date-palm tree and made two cushions out of them and prepared a dish with dates and raisins and a drink of sweet water. They then placed a stick in the corner of the room to hang clothes and leather water-skin. When these arrangements were
completed, Aishah رضي الله عنها commented:
فما راينا عرسا احسن من عرس فاطمة
We never saw a marriage more exquisite than that of Fatimah. [Ibn Majah]
Ali ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه reports that when the Prophet ﷺ married Fatimah رضي الله عنها to him, he sent with them a big sheet, a leather cushion stuffed with barks of the date palm or idhkhir (scented) grass, a grinder, a leather skin, and two jars. [Ahmad]
Mujalid ibn Shuʿbah reported, "I heard Ali (رضي الله عنه) declaring while on the pulpit, 'I married the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and our condition was that we had no bedding to sleep upon besides sheepskin. We would sleep on it at night and we would place fodder on it during the day for the camel.'" [Ibn Sa'ad]
In another narration, Ali رضي الله عنه states that he told his mother Fatimah bint Asad, "I will fulfil the outside needs of the house while Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) will serve you in the house by grinding flour, kneading flour, baking bread, etc." [Siyar A'lam an-Nubalah]
Ali رضي الله عنه narrated, "Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) complained about the blisters on her hand because of using a mill-stone. She went to ask the Prophet (ﷺ) for servant, but she did not find him (at home) and had to inform Aishah of her need. When he came, Aishah informed him about it." Ali added, "The Prophet (ﷺ) came to us when we had gone to our beds. When I was going to get up, he said, 'Stay in your places,' and sat between us, till I felt the coolness of the feet on my chest. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, 'Shall I not tell you of a thing which is better for you than a servant? When you (both) go to your beds, say 'Allahu Akbar' 34 times, and 'Alhamdulilah' 33 times, and 'Subhan Allah' 33 times. That is better for you than what you have requested (a servant).'" [Bukhari]
Later, it is reported on the authority of Anas رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ brought a slave – which he had gifted to Fatimah. She was wearing a piece of cloth (which was small) that if she had to cover her head, her feet would be exposed and if she covered her feet, her head would be exposed. When the Prophet ﷺ saw her plight he consoled her saying, “Do not worry. It is only your father and your slave.” [Abu Dawud]
Ali رضي الله عنه narrated tThat one night Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came to him and Fatimah and said, "Don't you (both offer the (Tahajjud) prayer?" Ali (jokingly) said, 'When Allah wishes us to get up, we get up." The Prophet (ﷺ) then recited: 'But man is more quarrelsome than anything.' (18.54)" [Bukhari]
Ali bin Husayn reported that Miswar bin Makhramah informed him that Ali bin Abi Talib sent the proposal of marriage to the daughter of Abu Jahl as he had Fatimah, the daughter of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), (as his wife). When Fatimah heard about it, she came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) and said, "The people say that you never feel angry on account of your daughters and now 'Ali is going to marry the daughter of Abu Jahl." Makhramah said: Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) rose up and I heard him reciting Tashahhud and say, "Now to the point. I gave a daughter of mine (Zaynab) to Abu'l-'As bin Rabi, and he spoke to me and spoke the truth. Verily Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, is a part of me and I do not approve that she may be put to any trial and by Allah, the daughter of Allah's Messenger cannot be combined with the daughter of Allah's enemy (as the co-wives) of one person. Thereupon Ali gave up (the idea of his intended) marriage. [Muslim] A unique quality of the Prophet’s ﷺ daughters was that none of them were cowives. Scholars write that this might have been something specific only to them so as to not harm their status and prestige. Ali was married to only Fatimah while she was alive. He had multiple other wives after her.
Sahl bin Sa'd narrated that the most beloved names to Ali was Abu Turab, and he used to be pleased when we called him by it, for none named him Abu Turab (for the first time), but the Prophet. Once Ali got angry with (his wife) Fatimah, and went out (of his house) and slept near a wall in the mosque. The Prophet (ﷺ) came searching for him, and someone said, "He is there, lying near the wall." The Prophet (ﷺ) came to him while his (Ali's) back was covered with dust. The Prophet (ﷺ) started removing the dust from his back, saying, "Get up, O Abu Turab!" [Bukhari]
Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated, “The Prophet ﷺ went out one morning wearing a striped cloak (made) of a black camel’s hair. Hasan bin Ali came and the Prophet ﷺ placed him under it. Then came Husayn and he entered (the cloak) with him. Then came Fatimah and he ﷺ placed her under it. Then came Ali and he ﷺ placed him under it. Then he ﷺ said, ‘Allah only intends to keep (the causes of) evil away from you and purify you completely, O members of the (Prophet’s) family!’” [Muslim]
The Prophet’s ﷺ grandson Hasan bin Ali رضي الله عنه was born in Ramadan 3 AH. He was around 7 years old when the Prophet ﷺ passed away. The Prophet’s ﷺ grandson Husayn bin Ali رضي الله عنه was born in Ramadan 4 AH. He was around 6 years old when the Prophet ﷺ passed away.
From part of a longer hadith, Zayd bin Arqam رضي الله عنه narrated, "...Once the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood amongst us in order to address us at an oasis called Hama between Makkah and Madinah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) praised and glorified Allah. He then advised us and reminded us and thereafter said, “O people, I am but a human. Soon a messenger of my Lord will come and I will accept his request. (Referring to his death) I leave amongst you two weighty things: the first being the Qur’an which is filled with guidance and light, So hold onto it with steadfastness. Thereafter the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) urged us and emphasised concerning the Qur’an. Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “My Ahl al-Bayt. Remember Allah when dealing with my Ahl al-Bayt. Remember Allah when dealing with my Ahl al-Bayt.”
(One of the narrators) Husayn asked Zayd, “Who are the Ahl al-Bayt? Are not the wives of the Messenger (ﷺ) Ahl al-Bayt?” Zayd replied, “Yes, His wives are also from the Ahl al-Bayt. However, the Ahl al-Bayt are those amongst whom it is not permitted to distribute Zakat.” Husayn asked, “Who are they?” Zayd replied, “They are the progeny of Ali, Aqeel, Ja’far, and Abbas.” [Muslim]
As soon as the Prophet ﷺ heard the news of the birth, he hurried to his daughter's house. He was very happy. He said, “Where is my grandson? Show him to me!” They brought Hasan in swaddling clothes. He held the baby and cuddled him. Then, he asked, “What did you name him?” Hz. Ali said, “Harb (War)”. The Prophet ﷺ said, “You will definitely be called by your names and your fathers' names on the Day of Judgment. Therefore, give nice names to your children.” Then, the Prophet ﷺ recited adhan to the baby's right ear and iqamah to his left ear. He changed his name to, Hasan. [Usd al-Ghabah]
In another narration, Ali رضي الله عنه said, "When al-Hasan was born, I named him Harb (war). The Prophet ﷺ came and said, 'Show me your son. What have you named him?' 'Harb,' we replied. He ﷺ said, 'He is Hasan.' When al-Husayn was born, I named him Harb. The Prophet ﷺ came and said, 'Show me your son. What have you named him?' 'Harb,' we replied. He ﷺ said, 'He is Husayn.' When we had a third son, I named him Harb. The Prophet ﷺ came and said, 'Show me your son. What have you named him?' 'Harb,' we replied. He said, 'He is Muhassin.' Then he said, 'I have named them according to the names of the sons of Harun: Shabr, Shubayr, and Mushabbir.'" [Adab al-Mufrad]
Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه said, "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had the Aqeeqah for Al-Hasan with one sheep, and said: 'O Fatima! Shave his head and give the weight of his hair in silver as charity.'" He said: "So I weighed it, and it was the weight of a Dirham or a bit of a Dirham." [Tirmidhi]
As Hasan and Husayn grew up, they became old enough to wrestle each other. The Prophet ﷺ made them wrestle and smiled. Once, they were wrestling again. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Hasan. He said, “Come on, Hasan! Catch Husayn!” Ali was there too. He said, “O Messenger of Allah! I think you should support Husayn because Hasan is older.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Look Jibreel is supporting Husayn by saying, "Come on, Husayn! Catch Hasan!'" [al-Isabah]
Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked, “Which of the people of your house are most beloved to you?” He said: “Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn.” And he used to say to Fatimah (رضي الله عنها), “Call my two sons for me.” And he would smell them and hug them. [Tirmidhi]
Aishah رضي الله عنها narrated, "We, the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) were all sitting with the Prophet (ﷺ) and none of us had left when Fatimah (رضي الله عنها) came walking, and by Allah, her gait was very similar to that of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). When he saw her, he welcomed her, saying, 'Welcome, O my daughter!' Then he made her sit on his right or his left, confided something to her, whereupon she wept bitterly. When he noticed her sorrow, he confided something else to her for the second time, and she started laughing. Only I from among the Prophet's wives said to her, '(O Fatimah), Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) selected you from among us for the secret talk and still you weep?' When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got up (and went away), I asked her, 'What did he confide to you?' She said, 'I wouldn't disclose the secrets of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)' But when he died I asked her, 'I beseech you earnestly by what right I have on you, to tell me (that secret talk which the Prophet had with you)' She said, 'As you ask me now, yes, (I will tell you).' She informed me, saying, 'When he talked to me secretly the first time, he said that Jibeel used to review the Qur'an with him once every year. He added, 'But this year he reviewed it with me twice, and therefore I think that my time of death has approached. So, be afraid of Allah, and be patient, for I am the best predecessor for you (in the Hereafter).' Fatimah added, 'So I wept as you (Aishah) witnessed. And when the Prophet (ﷺ) saw me in this sorrowful state, he confided the second secret to me saying, 'O Fatima! Will you not be pleased that you will be chief of all the believing women?'" [Bukhari]
Fatimah رضي الله عنها had 3 sons named Hasan, Husayn, and Mushin. She had 3 daughters named Zaynab, Umm Kulthum, and some reported another by the name of Ruqayyah. Muhsin and Ruqayyah died in childbirth. Umm Kulthum bint Ali would get married to Umar bin al-Khattab in 17 AH. Zaynab bint Ali would get married to Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib. She passed away in Madinah in Ramadan 11 AH at 29 years of age. She was the last of the Prophet’s ﷺ children to pass away. She was washed by Asma bint Umays, Salmah, and Umm Ayman under the supervision of Ali bin Abi Talib. She was buried in Madinah and her funeral prayer was led by Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. She narrates 18 Ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ.
Hasan رضي الله عنه led the ghusl and the janazah of Ali bin Abi Talib رضي الله عنه after he was stabbed and martyred in 40 AH. Hasan was poisoned and he passed away in Madinah on the 5th of Rabi’ al-Awwal 49 AH at the age of 47 years. His janazah was led by Sa’eed bin Aas al-Umawi, the Governor of Madinah. He was buried in al-Baqi’ next to his grandmother, Fatimah bint As’ad. He had around 10 wives. He has 12 sons and 5 daughters. The progeny of Hasan only continued through Hasan al-Muthanna and Zayd bin Hasan. He would name his children after the sahabah like Abu Bakr, Umar, Zayd, Hamzah, Talhah, etc. 3 of his sons; Abdullah, Qasim, and Abu Bakr were martyred with their uncle at Karbala. He narrated 13 ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ.
Husayn رضي الله عنه was betrayed by the Kufans and he was martyred brutally along with many members of the Ahl al-Bayt. Only Zayn al-Abidin from among the male members was spared. Husayn was martyred at Karbalah on 10th Muḥarram 61 AH at 56 years of age. His blessed head had been severed and presented to Ubaydullah bin Ziyad. Eventually, it was buried in Madinah beside the grave of Fatimah bint Rasulillah. Husayn had 7 wives. He had 4 sons and 2 daughters. When his son, Zayn al-Abidin arrived in Madinah, he studied under Jabir bin Abdullah, Ibn Abbas, Ibn Umar, and Abu Hurairah. He narrated 8 ahadith from the Prophet ﷺ.
May Allah's Curse be upon all those who harmed the Ahl al-Bayt and may Allah Allow us to follow, emulate, and honour them as they deserve.
Taken From: Know Your Heroes | The Building Blocks of Islam: The Prophet ﷺ and His Companions
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