from among his household and other Companions (1). For when Alī sought to marry Abū Jahl’s daughter in addition to Fātima, the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—rose and delivered an address, saying:

“The Banū al-Mughīra have sought my permission to give their daughter in marriage to Alī. I do not permit it; again, I do not permit it; again, I do not permit it (2)—unless Ibn Abī Tālib wishes to divorce my daughter and marry theirs. Fātima (3) is a part of me: whatever troubles her troubles me [ص: arābahā (‘caused her distress’)], and whatever harms her harms me.” (4)

It should therefore not be thought that Alī—may Allah be pleased with him—abandoned the proposal merely outwardly. Rather, he also relinquished it in his heart and repented inwardly of what he had sought and pursued.

Likewise, “when the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—concluded a peace treaty with the polytheists at al-Hudaybiyya and told his Companions, ‘Slaughter your sacrificial animals and shave your heads,’ no one rose to comply. He entered upon Umm Salama in anger. She said, ‘Whoever has angered you—may Allah be angry with him!’ He replied, ‘Why should I not be angry when I give an order and am not obeyed (5)?’ She said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, send for your sacrificial animal and slaughter it, and summon the barber to shave (6) your head.’ He also instructed Alī to erase his name. Alī said, ‘By Allah, I will not erase your name.’ The Prophet then took the document from his hand and erased it.” (7) It is therefore evident (8)