It is related by Salmaan al-Farisi (a.s.): "When Fatema (a.s.) became of age the leaders of Quraysh from those at the forefront of Islam and men of nobility all sought her hand in marriage. But, whenever she was mentioned to Rasulallah (s.a.) he would turn away until one individual imagined that he was angry with him. Rasulallah stated that, "Her matter is with her Lord, if Allah wishes her to be married I will have her married."
Salmaan al-Farisi continues: "When all had given up hope for her they gathered near Ali (a.s.) and said to him, "There is no aspect of virtue except that you are at its fore and of merit and your status near Rasulallah is one you know well - of confidence and comradeship. All the nobles have asked for the hand of Fatema binte Rasulallah and he has not replied - what is stopping you from proposing?"
Both Molana Ali's eyes filled with tears as he replied, "I am prevented by my lack of wealth."
Allah inspired his heart and he did indeed set off to propose. Rasulallah was in the home of Umme Salama (a.s.); he knocked on the door and she called out, "Who is at the door?"
Before Molana Ali could reply Rasulallah commanded, "Rise and open the door for him for this is a manloved by Allah and His Rasul and one who loves them both!"
Umme Salama said, "By my father and mother! Who is this that you speak of so?"
Rasulallah replied, "O' Umme Salama, this is my brother and the son of my uncle and the dearest of all people to me."
Umme Salama continues that she rose quickly and opened the door to find Ali ibne Abi Talib standing there; he entered once I had come back inside. He bade salaam upon Rasulallah who replied by saying, "Al-salaamo alayka, o' father of Hasan! Be seated."
Molana Ali sat in front of Rasulallah head facing down out of shyness. Rasulallah said to him, "Speak what it is you want and reveal what is in your heart for every desire of yours is granted near me."
Molana Ali replied, "May my father and mother be sacrificed upon you! You well know that you took me from your uncle when I was a child, you nourished me with your own provision, nurtured me with your etiquette and truly Allah guided me through you. You are my treasure, my wealth in this world and the hereafter and I have come to you to ask for the hand of your daughter Fatema, so - will you marry (her) to me o' Rasulallah?" Umme salama (a.s.) continues, "Then I saw the face of the Prophet glow with joy and happiness and he smiled at (Molana) Ali (a.s.). Then he said, "Have you anything with you?"
Molana Ali replied, "There is nothing that you do not know about me; I have my sword, my armour and my water sprinkler."
Rasulallah (s.a.) said, "As to your sword you cannot be without it - you will fight in Allah's cause with it - your water sprinkler is necessary for watering your palms (trees) but I will marry you (to Fatema) by your armour and accept it happily from you.
O' father of Hasan! Should I give you glad tidings?"
"Yes!" Molana Ali replied.
Rasulallah said, "I give you glad tidings that Allah has indeed wedded you to her in Heaven before I wed you to her upon Earth. An angel had descended upon me here before you came and said, "Al-salaamo alayka wa rahmatullahe wa barakatohu! I bring glad tidings o' Mohammed for the union of entities and purity of progeny."
I asked, "And what is that o' angel?"
In reply the angel said that he was responsible for one of the qawaaimul arsh (supports of Allah's throne).
"I asked my Lord," he said, "to permit me to give you this good news and this is Jibraeel in my wake who will inform you of Allah's honour and blessing for you."
Rasulallah continues, "He had barely yet finished his words when Jibraeel descended and said, "Al-salaamo alayka ya habiballah!"
He then spread a white silk of Paradise in which two lines were written with light. I asked, "What is this writing?"
Jibraeel replied, "O' Mohammed! Verily Allah cast a glance upon this earth and chose you from His creation and sent you with the message. He then cast a second glance and chose for you from them a brother, a wasi, a companion and a son-in-law and wed him to your daughter Fatema; he is your brother in faith and the son of your uncle in relation - Ali ibn Abi Talib.
O' Mohammed truly Allah has commanded me to give you the command to wed Ali to Fatema on this earth and to congratulate them both on two sons, pure chaste, paak, two dear ones in this world and hereafter."
Then Jibraeel and the angel did not ascend from me until you arrived at the door. Now proceed before me for I am leaving for the masjid and will perform your marriage before witnesses."
Molana Ali (a.s.) continues, "I came out (from Rasulallah's house) and so did Rasulallah. He commanded Bilaal to call together the Muhajireen and Ansaar and when they had all gathered Rasulallah ascended the minbar and gave Hamd and praise for Allah.
Then he said, "O' Mumineen! Jibraeel came to me quite suddenly and informed me from my Lord that He had married his servant Fatema - daughter of Rasulallah - to his servant Ali ibne Abi Talib. He has commanded that I marry them here upon the earth and I hold you all as witness to that."
Rasulallah sat down and said to me, "O' Abal Hasan! Stand and speak on your own behalf."
I stood and prayed Hamd for Allah and salawaat upon the prophet and then I said, "Truly Rasulallah has married me to his daughter Fatema and taken in dowry this armour of mine and I have accepted this - ask him and bear witness."
The Muslimeen spoke, "Have you performed this marriage O' Rasulallah?" "Yes", he replied. In unison they said, "May Allah bless them both and upon them." Rasulallah said, "Ali! Now sell your armour and give me its value." I took it to the market and sold it for 400 dirhams which I brought back to Rasulallah who handed it to Umme Salama.
I then waited a month and didn't mention anything about Fatema. Rasulallah's wives gathered near him and spoke of the zafaaf. He approved and said, "Why has Ali not asked me about this?" and they told him, "Shyness prevent him."
Then I came to him and sat before him head down in embarrasment. Rasulallah asked, "Do you wish to enter upon your wife?" Head still down I replied, "Yes." "It shall be tonight or tomorrow night, insha Allah."
He took the dirhams from Umme Salama and instructed the wives to prepare Fatema as was traditional. Then he called them both, took Ali by the right hand and Fatema by the left, kissed both their foreheads and prayed for them. He then left and the zafaaf of Molana Ali and Molatena Fatema took place.
May Allah t`aala pray salawaat upon Mohammed, Ali, Fatema and their pure progeny and Duaat Mutlaqeen; granting long llife and good health until qiyamat to our beloved Aqamola Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.Ameen.