Download - University of Salford Institutional Repository

the depth of sadness that her father experienced from losing one of
his most important sources of strength. F; timah felt that she now
0
had even greater responsibilites towards her father. In recognition
of her devotion to his needs. she came to be called 'Umm Whir (the
mother of her father).
- Eventually, she began to receive suitors. Amongst the contenders
for her har4were Al; u" Baker anAmar bin al-Khatia-b, both of whom
0.
were told by the Prophet, "Await her destiny", Then*Ali bin Abi Talib's
0
family said to him, "Ask for Fatimah's
0
hand, " and he exclaimed. "after
Ab7u, Baker andeUmar. 11 But they reminded him that he was the Prophet's
first cousin and his mother was ia'iimah bintAsd ibn Hish; m ibn *Abd
Manaf. ýAli went to the Prophet to ask for iatimah's hand, and
received his permission,
Thus, the next major event in Fatimah's life was her marriage to
a--
Ali bin Abi Talib. When the Prophet tried to leave the wedding,
0
Fatimah broke down. It was the first time that she had been separated
v
from her father who until now had been her main source of affection
and support. The prophet comforted her with these words, "I am
leaving you with a person of the strongest faith, a man who is the
most knowledgeable among those with knowledge, the most ethical
among those with ethics and the highest of spirits among the
spiritual.
"
On her marriage, it was said that their house was presented with
a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet coverlet, a leather
1. See Ibn Hajaral-Isabah fi. Tamyiz al-Saýabhq Pe 1'60,, o*
2.. ' Ibid 0
150