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asked Lady Fatima for her hand in marriage in the presence of her father. It was
customary in those days for brides-to-be not to answer the suitor if she was agreeable
to the proposal, so Lady Fatima remained silent and Ali knew his proposal had been
accepted.

The Marriage of Lady Fatima:

One of the Ansars, Haritha, Numan's son, owned many houses and had already given
several of them to the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, who accepted them
graciously and then given them to those in need. Lady Fatima knew of Haritha's
generosity and requested her father to ask him for one. However, it was not the custom
of the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, to ask for anything for either himself or
his family and so he did not ask. The news of Lady Fatima's forthcoming marriage
spread rapidly throughout Medina and when Haritha learned of Lady Fatima's
forthcoming marriage he went immediately to the Prophet saying: "Whatever I have is
yours, by Allah. Whenever you accept any of my houses, it gives me greater pleasure

than if I still owned them." Haritha's generous offer was accepted and Ali with his bride-
to-be had a home awaiting them.