remained just as it had been before. Later he brought milk in a wooden bowl that would have been sufficent for only three or four persons. They all drank their fill.(106)

Thus, a miracle of plenty as definite as ‘Ali’s courage and loyalty!

E l e v e n t h E x a m p l e : According to an au-thentic narration, on the occasion of ‘Ali’s marriage to Fatima al-Zahra, The Noble Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace) ordered Bilal al-Habashi: “Have bread made from a few handfuls of flour; also slaughter a young camel!” Bilal relates: “I brought the food and he put his hand on it to bless it. Later, the Companions arrived in groups, ate, and left. From the remaining food, he sent a full bowl to each of his wives, saying that they should eat and feed anyone who visited them.”(107)

Such blessed plenty was indeed necessary for such a blessed marriage!

T w e l f t h E x a m p l e : Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq related from his father Muhammad al-Baqir, and he from his father, Zayn al-‘Abidin, and he from ‘Ali, that Fatima al-Zahra had prepared enough food for herself

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(106) Qadi Iyad, al-Shifa: i, 293; ‘Ali al-Qari, Sharh al-Shifa: i, 607; al-Khafaji, Sharh al-Shifa: iii, 36; al-Haythami, Majma’ al-Zawa’id viii, 302-3; Ahmad b. Hanbal, Fada’il al-Sahaba (Tahqiq: Vasiyyullah) 1220; Musnad i, 159.
(107) Qadi Iyad, al-Shifa: i, 297; ‘Ali al-Qari, Sharh al-Shifa: i, 613; Bayhaqi, Dala’il al-Nubuwwa iii, 160.