By: Seyyed Ali Shahbaz

We are in the month of Dhu’l-Hijjah, so named because of the annual Hajj in this month, when pilgrims from all over the world converge on the holy Ka’ba in Mecca to circumambulate the Symbolic House of the Unseen but Omnipresent Creator, and to perform other rites that Prophet Abraham (AS) was commanded by God in antiquity to teach humanity.
After centuries of negligence, the Abrahamic Hajj was revived in the full limelight of history by the Almighty’s Last and Greatest Messenger who restored the rituals in their original form by cleansing them of the pollution of paganism – the dirty work of the deviated Arab tribes of the days of Jahiliyya (ignorance).
In 9 AH on the 1st day of Sacred Dhu’l-Hijjah when Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) on revelation of the opening Ayahs of Surah Towba, had sent one of his companions named Abu Bakr to convey them to the people of Mecca, Archangel Gabriel descended with fresh instructions that God Almighty commands the Messenger of Mercy to either personally undertake this mission to the holy Ka’ba to clarify the rules of the Hajj pilgrimage, including the declaration of “bara’at min al-mushrikin” (disavowal of disbelievers), or to depute the one who is the nearest and dearest to him.
Immediately, the Seal of Messengers called his dear cousin, son-in-law, and Divinely-designated heir, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), and asked him to discharge this duty at the holy Ka’ba by overtaking the man already sent and to send him back to Medina.
Perhaps a question may arise: Did the Prophet err or was ignorant of God’s Will by sending an unqualified person in the first place?
It is sheer blasphemy to entertain such an idea, since the holy Qur’an informs us in Surah Najm that Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) neither errs nor speaks by himself, but whatever he says or does, is revelation revealed.
This means, it was a Divine Plan to highlight certain figures, whether negative or positive, in view of the developments that would occur after the passing away of the Prophet of Peace, so that Muslims do not commit the blunder of following someone who had no legitimacy.
It is thus an undeniable fact, attested by exegetes of the Heavenly Scripture, and recorded in books of history and hadith, including that of our Sunni brethren, when Abu Bakr returned to Medina after handing over the mission to the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS), he was told by the Prophet: “This was the decision of God Almighty.”
The rest is history. Imam Ali (AS) reached Mecca, where without fear of the infidels, he clarified the rules of the Hajj through practical demonstration, while performing the pilgrimage. For three days he continuously recited the opening Ayahs of Surah Towba, and made it clear that neither the polytheists are allowed anymore to enter the sacred precincts of the Ka’ba, nor should anyone follow the freewheeling pagan practice of circumambulating the holy edifice naked and without clothes.
Although this is an unquestionable proof of the Divinely-decreed legitimacy of Imam Ali (AS) to lead the Ummah after the Prophet, this was not the only merit for the only person that was born in the holy Ka’ba – the holiest spot on Planet Earth.
Every year the 1st of Dhu’l-Hijjah reminds us of a greater occasion for rejoicing.
As a matter of fact, the first and foremost indication of Divine Authority on this day is undoubtedly the Prophet’s solemnizing of the marriage of his only surviving offspring, daughter Fatema az-Zahra (SA), with his dear cousin Imam Ali (AS) in the year 2 AH.
According to Anas bin Malek, the Prophet’s domestic servant, after having rejected proposals for the hand of Hazrat Fatema (SA) from some wealthy Quraishites, the Mercy unto Creation told his bashful young cousin: “O’ Ali, God has commanded me to marry Fatema to you.”
Anas then narrates that the Seal of Divine Messengers sealed the blessed union with the words: “May Allah join you together, make you happy, bless you and bring many a good out of you.” (Muhibuddin at-Tabari in “Zakha’er al-Uqba”)
Thus, it was on the First of Dhu’l-Hijja in 2 AH, the blessed union of the most-infallible-ever couple took place in Medina, thereby giving to the world the concept of the Ahl al-Bayt (People of the House) and their spotless purity (Holy Qur’an 33:33).
It was indeed a marriage-made-in-heaven, since no man was worthy of the hand of the Prophet’s immaculate daughter, the noblest lady of all times. A famous hadith says, if there was no Imam Ali (AS), Fatema (SA) would have remained a spinster.
Following their marriage, these two exemplary figures started a simple life filled with kindness and spirituality. The fruit of this blessed union that guaranteed continuation of the Prophet’s progeny were two noble sons, Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husain (AS), and two virtuous daughters, Hazrat Zainab (SA) and Hazrat Omm Kulsoum (SA).
The nuptials this day that were celebrated in the most modest manner with praises of God Almighty and without any extravagant dowry or bridal-money, serve as the all-time universal model for any Muslim couple anywhere in the world for building the ideal family on the basis of faith and virtue.
Thus was planted the blessed tree of perpetual munificence, whose branches in the form of the Saadaat or honoured descendants of Imam Ali (AS) and Hazrat Fatema (SA), have spread today all over the world.
This made-for-each-other pair are ancestors of the Infallible Imams, the last of whom is the eagerly awaited Redeemer of Mankind, Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance to cleanse the world of all vestiges of corruption and oppression, and to fill it with the global government of peace, prosperity, and justice).
Islam, unlike other creeds and cultures, regards men and women as equal, and it does not prevent women from playing social roles. The history of Islam presents numerous instances of the role played by virtuous women in society – roles that did not hinder the wife’s main responsibility in the family. A woman’s work in the society usually has certain problems and sometimes it endangers her health and spirit, yet we find in Islamic teachings and the history of Islam, how virtuous ladies dauntlessly carried out such work whenever the situation required, without neglecting their household chores.
For instance, the sudden turn of events after the passing away of the Prophet, when his instructions were ignored and the laws of God violated concerning the leadership of the Ummah, and her own patrimony of the orchard of Fadak, Hazrat Fatema Zahra (SA) had no other choice but to go to the Prophet’s Mosque and address the gathering regarding the right of leadership of her husband, Imam Ali (AS).
Her famous sermons are preserved in books of history and hadith, and are indeed lasting lessons for preservation of faith and protection of the rights of both men and women. She carried out these social duties, in addition to her perfect household chores, to the extent that Imam Ali (AS) used to remark: “By Allah, I never angered Fatema or forced her to do something, nor did she ever anger or disobey me. In fact, whenever I looked at her, all gloom would be removed from my heart.”