Hazrat Ali and Bibi Fatima -Perfect Couple

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Heartiest congratulations to all on the wedding anniversary of two sinless beings known to the world as Bibi Fatima Zahra and Maula Ali. They are rightly called as a perfect couple in view of their relationship and dedication to each other as husband and wife. The whopping number of marital problems confronting the modern world can reduce drastically only if married couples start considering Bibi Fatima and Maula Ali as their role model. Relationship means understanding each other without asking. It is like running another mile for your partner. Islam places reliance on mutual love, understanding and caring between the spouses more than the physical needs after ‘Nikah’ (Marriage contract). It also rejects marriage based on materialistic gains and recommends non-materialistic values like level of faith, character and ability to make each other better human being. It is evident from the famous saying of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad “Do not marry a woman for the following four reasons: Wealth, beauty, ancestry and lust. It is obligatory upon you to marry a woman on account of her religion”. On another occasion the Holy Prophet has stated, “There has not been created any institution in Islam which is more favored and dearer to Allah than marriage.” The Holy Quran, itself holds proof of the sanctification of marriage in the eyes of Allah and declares “Marry the spouseless among you…if they are poor, God will enrich them of His bounty”

From all the historical accounts available it can easily be concluded that the marriage of Imam Ali and Bibi Fatima was solemnized in strict accordance of relevant laws. It was indeed an ideal marriage, for it was performed by the Prophet himself. In his address (khutba) at the time of marriage, he had declared after introductory remarks “Now in obedience to the Will of Allah . I perform the marriage ceremony of Fatima Zahra with Ali  and ask you to bear witness that I have given  Fatima  in marriage to  Ali  against a dower of 400 pieces of silver coin. May Allah create love between the pair, bless them, purify their offspring, make their progeny a mine of wisdom, and a source of Allah’s blessing and solace to the believers in faith." History later proved that Allah honored each and every word of Prophet’s prayers.

 Imam Ali and Bibi Fatima both lived in a harmonious relationship based on not only faithfulness, obedience and care, but also in soul and spirituality. Hafsa, a daughter of Caliph Umar  and later a wife of the Holy Prophet composed verses to highlight  the greatness of the pair. She says “ Bibi Fatima Zahra  is superior to womankind in the world; she is the lady whose face shines as the full moon; she is the bride whose groom excels all in Scholarship.” Her words truly put Bibi Fatima and Maula Ali as the epitome of the perfect couple. It is recorded in various historical sources that  Imam Ali and Bibi Fatima  used to divide household responsibilities. Their agreement was that Bibi Fatima would grind, knead and bake and Imam Ali would sweep the floor, and bring water and wood for the fire. Is it not a lesson for those men and women who feel shame in serving at home as if working at home is demeaning? This mentality is shattering millions of home and needs to be curbed by creating awareness as how Maula lived with Bibi in complete harmony even in most trying circumstances. Their exemplary relationship is also reflected from the will Bibi made to Imam in her last days when she said “You have not experienced me as a liar or unfaithful and I have not disobeyed you since I have known you”. And Imam replied “You are more pious, God-fearing and knowing for me to rebuke you in anything of that sort.”

Some writers have claimed that Imam Ali was extremely poor at the time of marriage and the young couple had to pass days without any fire being lit in their hearth. But neither logic nor rules of Islamic state of that period corroborate such writings. Islam preaches  simplicity and austerity but averse to poverty and wants its followers to earn and lead a comfortable life .If Imam had to sell his Zirah for solemnization of his marriage, it was because of his generosity. Again if the couple had to pass days without food, it was mainly because both never returned any seeker empty handed even if their act left them with nothing to eat. Imam Ali was the greatest warrior of the age. He was also the greatest jurist, grammarian and scholar of the age. He was blessed with spiritual and super natural knowledge. When the Muslims set up a polity at Madina, it was obligatory on the State to provide means of sustenance to believers according to their merits. As Ali surpassed everyone in terms of merits, how could he be so poor as is often portrayed by some writers. Some authors have also given a description of Imam Ali’s house .They have observed that  his bed sheet was so small that it could not cover his entire body. Their account also reveals that Bibi  had to work  hard. The shoulder on which she carried pitchers of water from the well was swollen, and the hands were often covered with blisters ,for she used to work with hand mill to grind corn. It is true Bibi worked very hard as she wanted her husband to work for propagation of Islam with free hand and hence, never bothered him with petty domestic problems. She also worked hard as she never wanted anyone else to burden with her own work. But who could deny that the couple lived harmoniously and bless the world with children like Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain and daughters like Hazrat Zainab and Janab-E- Umme Kulsum who saved the saved Islam at Karbala and created a community that not only offers Mubarakbad on the wedding anniversary of Maula and Bibi but also shed tears on the martyrdom of her sons even at the risk of their lives with cries of “Labbaik Ya Hussain” on their lips.