The Prophet (sa) was always mindful of other peoples' feelings and on this account he never referred to them with the degrading word "slave" rather, he respectfully called them his "youths". Some of his youths had already embraced Islam and been freed, however, such was their love of the Prophet (sa) and his family that not even their freedom would tear them away from serving him so they chose to remain in his household. It was now several months into the third year and Lady Fatima and Ali, like so many others struggled hard to make a living.

Every day Ali, would go to the well, draw water then sell it in the market, whilst Lady Fatima, who was to give birth later that year, would grind grain for the community. There had been a time when her gentle hands had been soft, but now the arduous work of grinding had caused her hands to become callused and rough, and all too often her skin would crack and bleed.

Neither Lady Fatima nor Ali were of a complaining nature, rather, they were grateful to Allah for His blessings, however, one day Ali returned home with severe pains in his chest. He had strained himself drawing and carrying water from the well so he asked Lady Fatima to go to her father and ask him to release one of his youths to him. Lady Fatima was hesitant to make such a request, but eventually she went to her father's house.

When she met him they greeted one another and during the time they spent together he asked if there was anything special she wanted to say to him. Lady Fatima was overcome by embarrassment and told her father that she had come to give him the greetings and returned home without making the request. Upon her return, Ali inquired what had happened, so she told him that she had been too shy to ask so they returned together to speak with the Prophet (sa).

News of Islam had started to spread throughout Arabia and people started to migrate to Medina and so almost every day a new face or two would arrive. Most of the migrants arrived hungry with only the clothes they wore on their back and so they were lodged in a building attached to the Mosque.

There was little enough food to go around as it was. Many were the times that the Prophet (sa) and his family went hungry and would encourage his companions to share whatever they had with each other saying that one portion of food would suffice two people, and that two portions would suffice four and so on.

When Ali asked the Prophet (sa) for the services of a youth, the Prophet (sa) told him he was unable to do so as it was his intention to raise money through their sale in order to feed the hungry new Muslims. Lady Fatima an Ali understood that the need of the new Muslims was greater than theirs and so they returned home.

Spiritual Help

Later that night after Lady Fatima and Ali had retired, the Prophet (sa) went to visit them. When he reached their house he knocked at the door and out of politeness asked permission to enter.

After exchanging the greetings, the Prophet (sa) said, "Shall I tell you something better than that which you asked of me?" Gabriel has taught me to say ten times after each prayer, 'Exalted is Allah, and then 'Praise be to Allah' followed by 'Allah is Great'; when you go to bed repeat each exaltation thirty-three times." In the years that followed Ali was heard to say that from that day onwards he never failed to exalt Allah after each prayer and at night.

A House Nearer to the Prophet (sa)

Although Lady Fatima's house was not too distant from the Mosque, the Prophet (sa) wished that his beloved daughter lived nearer to him. When Haritha, a distant relative of the Prophet (sa) learned of his wish he went to him and offered his own home which was much nearer to the Mosque. The Prophet accepted Haritha's generosity and supplicated for blessings upon him. Not long after, Lady Fatima and Ali moved to their new home and awaited the birth of their first child.