The Wedding Suit

On the wedding night of Ima-m ‘Ali- (as) and Hadrat Fa-tima (as), the Prophet (s) gave her a (wedding) suit to wear on that night. When Hadrat Fa-tima (as) had gone to the wedding house and was sitting on the prayer mat praying to Alla-h (swt), suddenly a needy person came to the door of the house of Hadrat Fa-tima (as) and with a loud voice said: “From the door of the house of Prophethood, I want an old suit.”

At that time, Hadrat Fa-tima (as) had two suits, one old and the other new. She wanted to give the old suit as per the request of the needy man, when suddenly she remembered a verse which states: “You will never attain piety until you spend out of what you hold dear.” 25 Hadrat Fa-tima (as), who knew she liked the new suit more, acted on this verse and gave the new suit to the needy man.

The next day, when the Prophet (s) saw the old suit on Hadrat Fa-tima (as), he asked: “Why didn’t you wear the new suit?” Hadrat Fa-tima (as) replied: “I gave it to a needy man.” The Prophet (s) said: “If you had worn the new shirt for your husband, it would have been better and more suitable.” Hadrat Fa-tima (as) replied: “I learnt this manner from you. When my mother Khadija became your wife, she gave all her wealth to the empty-handed in your path, until it reached a point when a needy person came to the door of your house and requested clothes. There were no clothes in the house so you took off your shirt and gave it to him, and this verse was revealed: “Do not keep your hand chained to your neck, nor open it all together, or you will sit blameworthy, regretful.” 26

Overwhelmed by the love and sincerity of his daughter Zahra- (as), tears fell from the Prophet (s)’s (s) eyes, and as a sign of love, he hugged Hadrat Fa-tima (as) to his chest. 27

Notes:

25 Su-rat A-li-‘Imra-n, Verse 92

26 Su-rat al-Isra-, Verse 29

27 Sar Guzashtha-ye Hazrat ‘Ali- (as) wa Fa-tima (sa), pg. 31

Adapted from the book: "From Marriage to Parenthood; The Heavenly Path" by: "Abbas and Shahin Merali"