On coming to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was overcome by respect for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and felt shy to mention the proposal. Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “When I sat before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), I fell silent. By Allah, I was unable to speak.”

Noticing his silence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “What has brought you here? Do you need something?” However, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) still remained silent. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then said, “Perhaps you have come to propose for Hazrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu ‘anha)?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied in the affirmative.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then asked him, “Do you have anything to give her as mahr?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “By Allah! I do not possess any wealth, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then asked, “Where is the armor which you acquired (from your share of the booty of Badr)?” Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “I have the armor with me.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed, “Then give it to her as mahr.”

According to another narration, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had responded, “I do not have anything besides my horse and my armor.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “As for your horse, then you will need it. As for your armor, then sell it for the mahr.”

Accordingly, Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) sold the armor to Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for four hundred and eighty dirhams. Immediately upon purchasing the armor, Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) gave it back to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as a gift. Hence, on returning to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) brought both the money and the armor with him.

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) learnt of the generosity and kindness which Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had shown to Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made special du‘aa for him.

(to be continued)

(Majma’uz Zawaa’id, #15250, Dalaa’il-un-Nubuwwah 3/160, Isaabah 8/292, Sharhuz Zurqaani 2/359)