One day the Holy Prophet (saww) came to the house of his beloved daughter. She (as) asked him a number of questions on religious rights. Among them was a question regarding a wife’s duty towards her husband.
One of the many things that the Holy Prophet (saww) told her was,
“O Fatimah! A woman who demands things, which are outside the means of her husband is removed from the pale of divine grace”. (Ahwaal al-Nisaa)
After her marriage to Ali (as), we will find that Sayyida Fatimah (as) never asked or demanded anything from her husband – lest he (as) cannot afford and is embarrassed to say so!
{One day Imam Ali (as) insisted that his wife ask him for something. After much insistence, she (as) agreed and asked for a pomegranate.
As Imam Ali (as) bought one from the market and was walking towards home, his eyes fell upon a poor man who was ill. He (as) asked the man what he wanted and the man expressed his desire to eat pomegranate. Without hesitation, Imam (as) gave away the pomegranate he had bought for his wife.
Now, as he (as) walked towards his home, Imam (as) felt guilty and thought that ‘this was the first time ever Fatimah (as) had asked for a pomegranate and I have been unable to fulfil her wish.
Although he (as) was certain that Fatimah (as) would be happy to know that the pomegranate was given away in good cause, nevertheless, he (as) still felt guilty.
Meanwhile, Jibrael came to the Holy Prophet (saww) with a tray of pomegranates from the Paradise and informed him as to what had happened. The Holy Prophet (saww) gave the tray to Salman (ra) and asked him to deliver it to Fatimah (as) before Ali (as) reached home.
Fatimah (as) asked, “O Salman! Where has this tray come from?”
Salman (ra) said, “O Daughter of the Prophet! You expressed your desire for a pomegranate from Ali (as). He (as) bought it and gave it to a poor beggar. For his sincere action, Allah (SWT) has sent this tray from the Paradise so that your wish is fulfilled and Ali (as) is also saved from any embarrassment”.
Imam Ali (as) arrived home with his head down due to guilt. As soon as He (as) entered, he (as),
“O Fatimah! What is this smell of pomegranates I feel?”
She (as) said,
“O Ali! These pomegranates are what you sent. You gave away one to a beggar and in return Allah (SWT) has sent them from Paradise”.} (Mahafil-o-Majalis)
