At the time of their nikaah, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was approximately twenty-four years old. As for the age of Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) at the time of the nikaah, then there are two views. According to some ‘Ulamaa, she was approximately fifteen years old, while other ‘Ulamaa are of the opinion that she was nineteen years old.

After Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) proposed for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to her and said, “Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has proposed for you.” However, on account of her very high level of hayaa, Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) felt shy to speak and verbally accept the proposal. Hence, she remained silent and did not object, through which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) understood that she had accepted the proposal.

When Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) brought the four hundred and eighty dirhams to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made arrangements for some perfume and essential household items to be purchased for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).

The trousseau of Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was very simple. It consisted of a shawl, a leather pillow which was stuffed with date-palm fibers and grass, two grind-stones, one water skin and two utensils. Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) would use the shawl as their bedding. After spreading it on the floor, they would sleep on half the shawl and then fold the other half over themselves as a blanket.

(to be continued)

(Sharhuz Zurqaani 2/357-358, Majma’uz Zawaa’id #15208, #15210, #15211, Tabaqaat Ibnu Sa’d 8/16, Al-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb #2466 and Musnad Ahmed #643)