Marriage Proposals to Hazrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu Anha)

In the second year of hijrah, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) performed the nikaah of Hazrat Faatimah (Radhiyallahu anha) to Hazrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu). At that time Hazrat Faatimah Zahra was 15 years and 5 and a half months old whilst Hazrat Ali Murtadha was 21 years and 5 months old.

Hazrat Anas (Radhiyallahu anhu) says: “First, Hazrat Abu Bakr sent a proposal to Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to marry Hazrat Faatimah, but Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not give a positive response. After that Hazrat Umar also sent his proposal, and Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) did not reply positively to his offer too.

When these two great personalities realised that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) would not marry Hazrat Faatimah to either of them, then both of them advised Hazrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) to send a proposal for himself. Accordingly, Hazrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu) came into the presence of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and gave a proposal of marriage.”

In Musnad Imaam Ahmad (Rahmatullahi alaih) the details of this are recorded in the words of Hazrat Ali (Radhiyallahu anhu). He said: “When I intended sending a proposal of marriage to the daughter of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam), then I thought, ‘I have nothing by me so how will this action be accomplished?’ But, simultaneously, the generosity and kindness of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came in my heart, (and I thought that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) himself will make some arrangement).

Thus, I went into his presence and gave a proposal for marriage. Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) asked: ‘Do you have anything?’ I replied, ‘No.’ Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) enquired, ‘Where is the chain armour that I gave you on such-and-such day?’ I replied, ‘Yes I have it.’ Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Give that as mehr.”

(Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Kee Saahbzaadiya)