Saed News: The first day of the month of Hajj and sacrifice coincides with the heavenly union and marriage anniversary of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (SA). There are verses in the Quran that refer to this great event in the history of Islam.
According to the Religion and Beliefs Service of Saed News, the first day of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah coincides with the anniversary of the most beautiful heavenly union in the Islamic world — a unique and unparalleled event in the history of Shia Islam. On this blessed day, Imam Ali (AS) made a covenant of love with Lady Fatimah (SA), the greatest lady in the world, and God Almighty appointed His greatest messenger as the witness to this marriage. The blessing of their union is as vast as the sun, and their names have been eternally engraved in history.
The blessed anniversary of the marriage of Lady Fatimah (SA) and Imam Ali (AS) has been named the "Marriage Day" and it is a joyful day for those who begin their lives with beautiful memories of the wedding anniversary of Imam Ali and Lady Fatimah (SA). Their marriage, by divine command, is a privilege that the Great Prophet (PBUH) took pride in. On this blessed occasion, the angels of the heavens rejoiced and the inhabitants of paradise adorned themselves with beauty and splendor.
Lady Fatimah, daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was among the most distinguished young women of her time. Her father and mother came from the most noble and purest Arab families. Before Imam Ali (AS) proposed, Umar and Abu Bakr had sought Lady Fatimah's hand from the Prophet, but both received an answer from the Prophet that she was awaiting divine revelation.
When Imam Ali (AS) came to propose, the Prophet was at Umm Salamah’s house. When they knocked on the door, Umm Salamah asked, "Who is it?" Before the suitor could answer, the Prophet commanded: “Open the door and say ‘come in.’ Someone is at the door who is beloved by God and His Messenger.”
Imam Ali (AS) entered, greeted, and sat in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). He lowered his eyes to the ground, shy to express his request in front of the Prophet. The Prophet, who had raised Imam Ali and knew his character, broke the silence and said: “I see you have come with a need. Speak your wish and reveal what is in your heart, for your request will be accepted by me.”
Imam Ali (AS) sweetly expressed his request: “May my parents be sacrificed for you. When I was a child, you took me from your uncle Abu Talib and Fatimah bint Asad, raised me with your food and manners. Your kindness and compassion toward me were greater and better than my own parents. My upbringing and guidance were in your hands, and by God, you are the treasure of this world and the hereafter. O Messenger of God! Now that I have grown, I desire to have a home and wife to find comfort in her companionship. I have come to propose for your daughter Fatimah. Do you accept me?”
The Prophet’s face blossomed like a flower; he seemed to have awaited this moment. He was happy but left the final answer to Lady Fatimah (SA).
Gabriel descended to the Prophet (PBUH) and said: God has said that if He had not created Ali for Fatimah, from Adam until the Day of Judgment, no husband or spouse equal to Fatimah would be found.
After the proposal and marriage ceremony, the time came for Imam Ali (AS) to prepare for his new life with Lady Fatimah (SA). At that time, Imam Ali had a sword and armor as his possessions, which he used to strive in the way of God, and a camel which he used in the gardens of Medina to serve the Ansar guests without help. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) agreed that Imam Ali (AS) could sell his armor and give the money to the Prophet as part of Lady Fatimah’s dowry.
The armor was sold for four hundred dirhams. The Prophet gave some of the money to Bilal to buy perfume for the Prophet’s only daughter and gave the rest to Ammar Yasir and a group of his companions to buy household items for Lady Fatimah’s new life. From Lady Fatimah’s bridal trousseau, one can understand the living conditions of the great lady of Islam.
The Prophet (PBUH) conducted Lady Fatimah’s marriage in the simplest and easiest manner to set a good example for youth about to marry. Fatimah’s dowry was set at 500 dirhams for this reason. Besides this material dowry, various narrations state that spiritual dowries were also set for her. In one narration, Lady Fatimah asked her father to pray that her dowry be the intercession for sinful Muslims. This request was granted, and she became an intercessor and mediator for the forgiveness of sinners.
The Quran does not directly mention the marriage of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (SA), but there are verses that relate to this important event in Islam.
The last verse of Surah Al-Kawthar mentions that one of the Prophet’s enemies called him “abtar” (cut off, without offspring). But God Almighty gave the Prophet abundant good, and it is known that it was through the marriage of Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (SA) that the Prophet’s lineage continued and spread.
In verses 19 and 22 of Surah Ar-Rahman, God says:
"He released the two seas, meeting together; Between them is a barrier which they do not transgress. So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny? From both of them come pearls and coral."
In the narrations, Imam Sadiq (AS) explained that Ali and Fatimah are like two deep seas that never wrong each other, and the pearls and coral refer to Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husayn (AS). (Furat al-Kufi’s Tafsir, p. 460)
Although polygamy was common at the time, Imam Ali (AS) did not marry another woman while Lady Fatimah (SA) was alive. Likewise, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not marry another woman while Lady Khadijah was alive. Various narrations mention that Lady Fatimah was not an ordinary woman; rather, she was described by the Prophet as a heavenly maiden, the best woman in the world and the best woman in paradise. Therefore, out of respect for Lady Fatimah, Imam Ali did not marry another woman.
However, after Lady Fatimah’s martyrdom, Imam Ali (AS) married another woman out of necessity to manage family affairs and care for his children.
Their marriage offers many valuable lessons that can be applied in life for happiness and true following of Islam.
Firstly, the proper procedure for marriage and secondly, simplicity throughout life. Social restrictions on marriage—mostly from non-Islamic cultures and materialistic mindsets—act like chains binding young people, growing heavier day by day, preventing correct actions and increasing financial corruption and moral disorder.
Other lessons from their marriage include: compatibility and equal standing, prioritizing spiritual, religious, and moral qualities, direct proposal without intermediaries, leniency with one another, contentment, avoiding luxury and extravagance, a modest dowry, building life on love and true understanding, modesty, and chastity. For these reasons, such a marriage is called a heavenly union, gaining the approval of God and His Messenger.
