Marriage of Fatimah bint Hussain

Perhaps the real story of Sayyidah Fatimah bint Hussain’s rahimaha Llah life begins from the time of her marriage, and when she would become the centre of the home in which she was to rear such youth brimming with faith and obedience. Sayyidah Fatimah bint Hussain rahimaha Llah—as we will soon see—would become the archetype for the perfect wife and mother who provides her children with the best upbringing.

The possible reason why Sayyidah Fatimah bint Hussain rahimaha Llah was blessed with such unique qualities in this regard is that she was raised in one of the best environments: her father being Hussain ibn ‘Ali and her mother Umm Ishaq bint Talhah ibn ‘Ubaidullah al Taymi radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

Sayyidah Fatimah bint Hussain rahimaha Llah inherited her mother’s beauty, noble demeanour, shyness, and modesty. Similarly, her maternal grandmother, Al Jarba’ bint Qasamah, was renowned for her beauty.

Ibn ‘Asakir reports with his chain of narration, as well many others:

When Hassan ibn Hassan asked his uncle, Hussain ibn ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu, for the hand of Fatimah bint Hussain rahimaha Llah, Hussain said to him, “O my nephew, I was waiting for you to propose; come along with me.” He went with him until they entered the home of Hussain ibn ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma. He then brought out both his daughters, Fatimah and Sukaynah, and told him to choose. So he chose Fatimah and he married her to Hassan ibn Hassan immediately. It used to be said, “That woman because of which the likes of Sukaynah [who was also a renowned beauty] is given preference over can only be an exquisite beauty.”[1]

Another narration mentions that Hassan al Muthanna rahimahu Llah was too shy to choose between the two sisters, so Sayyidina Hussain radiya Llahu ‘anhu made the decision for him that he should wed Fatimah rahimaha Llah, saying, “I have married Fatimah to you, as she resembles my mother, Fatimah bint Rasulillah, most from all people.”[2]

This marriage took place the same year that Sayyidina Hussain radiya Llahu ‘anhu was martyred, that is 61 A.H. The words of Hussain radiya Llahu ‘anhu, “She resembles my mother, Fatimah bint Rasulillah, most from all people,” are undoubtedly a clear indication of the love that he bore for her. The similarity here is not referring to physically resemblance only but to both her character and physical features.

As for her physical beauty, the narrations mention that she was so beautiful that she was described as a Hurr al ‘Ayn (damsel from Paradise).[3]

As for her character: We will soon shed light on some of those noble traits which she possessed. We will begin by discussing her husband and children, as her interaction with them will shed much light on her noble characteristics.

NEXT⇒ An honourable husband

[1] Tarikh al Dimashq, 74/14. This narration has been reported in a number of sources with slight variation in wording, amongst them: ‘Umdat al Talib, pg. 165; Al Asili fi Ansab al Talibiyin, pg. 62; Al Lubab fi al Ansab of al Bayhaqi, 1/385.

[2] ‘Umdat al Talib, pg. 165; Al Asili fi Ansab al Talibiyin, pg. 62.

[3] Al Asili fi Ansab al Talibiyin, pg. 63.