Marital life of Fatimah

Many of Muhammad's companions asked for Fatimah's hand in marriage, including Abu Bakr and Umar, who would later succeed Muhammad after his death.[11] Muhammad turned them down, saying that he was awaiting a divine sign for her destiny.[12] When Muhammad's cousin, Ali, visited Muhammad, modesty prevented him from voicing his intention to marry Fatimah.[13] After Ali finally disclosed his intention on his third visit, Muhammad put forward Ali's proposal to Fatimah, who remained silent.[14] Muhammad took this to be a sign of consent.[15] Muhammad also suggested to Ali to sell his shield to pay the bridal gift or mahr.[16] In response to complaints, Muhammad replied that, "God ordered me to marry Fatimah to Ali."[17] Muhammad also told Fatimah that, "I have married you to the dearest of my family to me."[18][19]

Their modest marriage ceremony took place in the year one or two AH.[20] Fatimah's age was between nine to nineteen at the time of her marriage, according to Shia and Sunni sources, respectively.[21] Ali's age was about twenty two.[22] It is worth noting that early marriage was valued and widely practiced in that era in Arabia, as a means to encourage chastity.[23] Muhammad performed the wedding ceremony and they prepared the wedding feast with dates, figs, lamb and other donations by Madinans.[24] The couple moved into a house next to Muhammad's quarters in Medina.[25] Shia sources have recorded that Fatimah donated her wedding gown on her wedding night.[26]

Their marriage lasted about ten years and ended with Fatimah's death. Even though polygyny is permitted in Islam, Ali did not marry any other woman while Fatimah was alive.[27]

The location of Fatimah's house in Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, present-day Saudi Arabia

Fatimah and Ali led a humble life.[28] As with the majority of Muslims, the couple endured dire financial hardships in the early years of Islam.[29] Ali worked at various jobs and Fatimah was responsible for domestic chores.[30] A reference to their simple life is associated with the Tasbih of Fatimah, which consists of the phrases "God is the greatest" and "Praise be to God" and "Glory be to God."[31] It has been reported that when Fatimah was overwhelmed by the difficultly of chores and care for her four young children, Muhammad taught her this tasbih because they could not afford a maid.[32] Their financial circumstances only improved following the Battle of Khaybar, when the bounty was distributed among the poor.[33][34] Later on, Fatimah had a maid, Fidda, and the two divided the chores equally.[35][36]

Fatimah is believed to have had a happy marital life, which continued until her death in 11 AH.[37] Reflecting on his marriage with Fatimah, Ali is recorded to have said that, "Whenever I looked at her, all my worries and sadness disappeared."[38]

According to H. Nasr, the bond between Fatimah and Ali holds a special spiritual significance for Muslims as it is seen as the marriage between the greatest saintly figures surrounding Muhammad.[39]

This family is associated in classical exegeses with a number of verses of the Quran, including the Verse of Mubahala (Q3:61). After an unsuccessful debate between Muhammad and a Christian delegation from Najran in 10 AH, the two sides decided to gather and invoke God's wrath upon "the liars," in what has become known as the Event of Mubahala.[40] The Verse of Mubahala instructed Muhammad as follows:[41]

Should anyone argue with you concerning him, after the knowledge that has come to you, say, ‘Come! Let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls, then let us pray earnestly and call down God's curse upon the liars.’

There is strong evidence that only Fatimah, Ail, and their two sons, Hasan and Husayn, accompanied Muhammad to this event, suggesting that Muhammad had identified these four as his people, his souls.[42] The Christian delegation stepped back and negotiated for peace in return for paying tribute.[43]

This family is also associated in numerous reports with the Verse of Purification in the Quran (Q33:33), "Indeed God desires to repel all impurity from you, O Ahl al-Bayt, and purify you with a thorough purification."[44] At the Event of Mubahala, it is well-documented that Muhammad specified Ahl al-Bayt as Fatimah, Ali, and their two sons, Hasan and Husayn.[45] On another occasion, Muhammad gathered these four under his cloak and recited the Verse of Purification, followed by, "These, O God, are my ahl al-bayt."[46] When asked if she could join them, Muhammad gently excluded his wife, Umm Salama.[47] This account from Sahih at-Tirmidhi is known as the Hadith of Kisa and these five are also referred to as the Ahl al-Kisa.[48]

It is widely believed that verses 76:7-12 of the Quran were revealed after Fatimah, Ali, Hasan and Husayn, gave away their only meal of the day to beggars who visited them, for three consecutive days.[49]

They fulfil their vows and fear a day whose ill will be widespread. They give food, for the love of Him, to the needy, the orphan and the prisoner, [saying,] ‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not want any reward from you nor any thanks. Indeed we fear from our Lord a day, frowning and fateful.’ So Allah saved them from the ills of that day, and granted them freshness and joy. And He rewarded them for their patience with a garden and [garments of] silk...

It might be noted that Muslims endured dire financial hardships in the early years of Islam.[50] Fatimah and Ali are revered for their generosity and selflessness, particularly in Shia communities.[51]

• Family tree of Ali
• Family tree of Muhammad

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