Good Example of Islamic Marriage

When Faatimah (Radhiallaahu Anha) reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) remained irresponsive.

Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu), who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, 'How could this be accomplished, for I possess nothing.' At last, encouraged by the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to marry Faatima (Radhiyallaahu Anha). The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was extremely pleased and asked, 'Ali! Do you possess anything to give her in Mahr?' I replied, 'Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing.'

The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'A soldier must, of course, have his horse. Go and sell away your armour.'

So, Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu) went and sold his armour to Uthmaan (Radhiallaahu Anhu) for 480 Dirham and presented it to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Bilaal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) was ordered by the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) to bring some perfume and a few other things and Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) was sent to call Abu Bakr, Uthmaan, Talhah, Zubayr with some companions from the Ansaar (Radhiallaahu Anhum).

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She Chooses a Good Husband

One of the ways in which Islam has honoured woman is by giving her the right to choose her husband. Her parents have no right to force her to marry someone she dislikes. The Muslim woman knows this right, but she does not reject the advice and guidance of her parents when a potential suitor comes along, because they have her best interests at heart, and they have more experience of life and people. At the same time, she does not forego this right because of her father's wishes that may make him force his daughter into a marriage with someone she dislikes. 

There are many texts that support the woman in this sensitive issue, for example the report quoted by Imam Al-Bukhaari from al-Khansa' bint Khidam: 

"My father married me to his nephew, and I did not like this match, so I complained to the Messenger of Allah . He said to me: `Accept what your father has arranged.' I said, `I do not wish to accept what my father has arranged.' He said, `Then this marriage is invalid, go and marry whomever you wish.' I said, `I have accepted what my father has arranged, but I wanted women to know that fathers have no right in their daughter's matters (i.e. they have no right to force a marriage on them).'"2

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The Man From Mecca

"It’s always good to come home," Muhammad mused as the caravan plodded closer to Mecca. He was barely 20, but already he had traveled to such distant centers as Jerusalem, Damascus, and Aleppo. Ever since he was big enough to ride a camel, his uncle had taken him on the great yearly trade caravans that journeyed 1000 miles or more northward to Syria and nearly as far southward to Yemen. But Arabia was Muhammad’s home, and paganism the religion of his people.

Nothing made that more obvious than did the Ka ‘bah, Mecca’s massive stone shrine. Fifty feet high and nearly 40 feet square, it housed one idol for each day of the year. Some said it had been built by Adam and Eve after their expulsion from the Garden. Others claimed that Abraham and Ishmael had built it.

As the sanctuary of Allah, the supreme god of the Arabs, it attracted pilgrims from all over Arabia. Theyc ame to kiss or touch the smooth black stone that glistened in the southeastern corner – a stone said to have been given to Ishmael by the angel Gabriel, and set into the building by Abraham’s own hands.

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The Step Daughter

In the time of Prophet Yahya, there was a king whose ageing wife was starting to become anxious, thinking that she will soon be divorced for a younger, prettier woman (and therefore lose the wealth she one day planned to inherit). To combat this threat, she decided that her younger daughter (of a prior husband) be married off to the king as his new wife. So, to carry out this arrangement, she summoned Hadrat Yahya to her court and explained to him what she wished to do. The prophet refused to comply with this order and said before leaving, “This type of marriage is impermissible.” This instilled great enmity in the queen’s heart for Hadrat Yahya, and from that day onwards, she began to plot too the killing of the prophet.

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Rukaana the Wrestler

Rukaana was a very wealthy, strong and undefeated wrestler of the Banu Hashim who grazed goats in the valley of Adm. He once saw the Holy Prophet walking by and approached him, saying, “Muhammad! You’re the one who’s been insulting our gods Laat & Uzza and has been proclaiming the greatness of Allah alone! If I wasn’t family, I would’ve killed you; but I challenge you to a wrestling contest instead! You call out to Allah and I’ll call out to my gods, and we’ll see which one of them is the most powerful.” The Holy Prophet replied, “If we have to wrestle, then so be it. I’m ready.”

This answer surprised Rukaana. Nevertheless, he stood up in pride to face the Messenger…and was swiftly brought down to the ground by him in just one move (the first time anyone had ever defeated him)! After the Holy Prophet sat on his chest, the  ashamed Rukaana exclaimed, “Get off my chest and give me one more chance. Maybe Laat & Uzza weren’t paying attention to me.” Rasulullah agreed, and after standing up and facing Rukaana a second time, he again effortlessly brought the wrestler to the ground (!), prompting Rukaana to say, “Maybe Laat and Uzza are angry with me today while your Lord assists you. Give me one more chance. This time I’m sure they’ll assist me.”

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The King of Yemen

 It’s been recorded in Hujjatullah alal-Alameen and Taarikh Ibn Asaakir  that 1,000 years before the arrival of the Holy Prophet, the King of Yemen (Tabaa Awwal Hamīri) assembled 12,000 of his scholars and officials, 132,000 horsemen, and 113,000 foot soldiers to accompany him on a tour of his kingdom. During this expedition, they arrived in the city of Makkah and were surprised to find none of its  residents  interested in coming out to salute them. When the king enquired from his officials as to the reason for this, his prime-minister responded, “There’s a structure in this city called ‘the House of Allah ’ which people from all over way more  than  this  army, in  fact – come to pay their respects towards and to the city’s residents. Why then would they concern themselves with this measly procession?”

  The king became infuriated upon hearing this and swore, “I’ll tear that structure down and have all of these people killed!”

  He then suddenly found blood emerging from his eyes, nose and mouth  (along with a liquid so horrendous in smell that no one in his company could bear sitting next to him). After seeking help from his numerous doctors to cure this condition of his (all to no avail), one of his priests finally  stepped  forward and  said, “O King! This  sickness is from  the Heavens, while we  possess cures only from the Earth. The only way to rid yourself of it is to seek forgiveness for any bad intention you may have had recently.”

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Wedding of the Daughter of Prophet (SAW)

Faatimah (Radhiallaahu Anha) is the youngest daughter of our beloved Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Out of all the children, she was the most beloved to him. He said, 'The Queen of the ladies in Jannat is Faatimah.' He also said, 'Faatimah is part of my body. Whoever grieves her, grieves me.'
When Faatimah (Radhiallaahu Anha) reached the age of fifteen, proposals for her marriage began to come from high and responsible families. But the Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) remained irresponsive.

Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu), who was 21 at the time, says: It occurred to me that I should go and make a formal proposal, but then I thought, 'How could this be accomplished, for I possess nothing.' At last, encouraged by the Prophet's kindness, I went to him and expressed my intention to marry Faatima (Radhiyallaahu Anha). The Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) was extremely pleased and asked, 'Ali! Do you possess anything to give her in Mahr?' I replied, 'Apart from a horse and an armour I possess nothing.'

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Wealth and Poverty

It was a usual meeting. The Prophet (S.A.W.) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance. Suddenly a poor man in rags appeared, saluted the assembly :

"Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you) and finding a vacant place, comfortably sat down.

The Prophet (S.A.W.) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them. The Prophet (S.A.W.) observed this and addressing the rich man he said:

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Fulfilled Covenant

During the battle of Khaybar which took place between the Muslims and Jews, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) and his Companions (Allah be pleased with them all) besieged the fort of Khaybar wherein the Jews were residing. A poor Shepherd who was working for his Jewish master had already heard about the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), and upon seeing the Muslim army, thought that it was a good opportunity to inquire about Islam.

He came out of the fort with the goats and sheep he was looking after and asked the whereabouts of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace). Upon being directed towards the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), he inquired about the basic teachings of Islam, and then said: “What will my status be if I accept Islam?” The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) replied: “I will embrace you, you will become my brother and enjoy the same rights as other Muslims.”

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The Patched Robe

There was a Jew of Damascus who was reading a holy book one day when he came across the name of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) written in it. Not liking this, he removed the name. But the next day he found it there again. Again he took out the name; but on the third day it had appeared again. He thought: "Perhaps this is a sign that a true Emissary has come. I will journey southwards to Madinah."

And he forthwith started out, not tarrying until he reached the city of the Prophet. When he arrived there, knowing nobody, he was near the Mosque of the Prophet when the Sahabi Anas (ra) arrived. He said to Anas: "Friend, take me to the Prophet." 

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