Imam ‘Ali, ‘alehi al-salam, Merit and his Marriage from Lady Fatimah, ‘aleha al-salam, from Sunni Literature
Ibn Kathir, a renowned scholar amongst the mukhalifeen (the Ahul al-Sunnah as they are called), reports the following tradition that raises the stature of ‘Ali, ‘alehi al-salam, and only makes us question Abu Bakr and ‘Umars claim to the Caliphate. The marriage of the two illuminating lights of God, the anwar, Amir al-Mumineen ‘Ali and Sayyidah Fatimah, ‘alehum al-salam, is one with many lessons and it is sad that the Muslims don’t follow in such footsteps. It is even sadder when the Shi’a from the Muslims don’t wish to follow in such footsteps but instead cling on to fantasies that hurt the Imam’s and the pure Ladies, the Daughters of the Prophet, sala allahu ‘alehi wa alehi wa salam.
I will translate from the nas (the Arabic text which will be shared below):
Ibn al-Athir reports in his book Usd al-Ghabah with his chain of transmission from Ishaq b. al-Harith, from ‘Ali:
Abu Bakr and ‘Umar approached the Prophet, peace be upon him, in order to propose to his daughter Fatimah. The Prophet denied their proposal and ‘Umar said, “This matter is for you”, I said, “I have nothing of value except this shield that I can present (as dowry)”.
The Prophet joined ‘Ali and his daughter in matrimony and when Fatimah heard of this she began to weep.
‘Ali says, “The Prophet, peace be upon him, entered upon Fatimah and said, ‘Why do you cry O Fatimah? By Allah, I have joined you in matrimony with one who is the most learned (knowledgeable), with the best insight, and the first of the Muslims’”.
Usd al-Ghabah, Ibn Kathir, V.7, P.221