Examples of Devotion & Piety
Despite their impoverished and straitened circumstances, Hazrat Ali (ra) and Hazrat Fatimah (ra) were examples of devotion and piety. In the ahadith, we find a narration in which Hazrat Ali (ra) states, “Hazrat Fatimah (ra) complained of pain in her hands due to using the hand mill. During this time, a few prisoners were brought to the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Fatimah (ra) went to visit the Holy Prophet (sa), but she did not find him at home. Hazrat Fatimah (ra) met Hazrat Aisha (ra) and informed her of the reason why she came. When the Holy Prophet (sa) returned, Hazrat Aisha (ra) informed him why Hazrat Fatimah (ra) had visited.” Hazrat Ali (ra) further narrates, “The Holy Prophet (sa) visited us when we had just retired to our beds. We were about to stand up for him, but the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘Remain as you are.’ He then sat with us in a way that I felt the coolness from his feet near my chest. He then said, ‘Shall I not inform both of you about that which is better than what you came to ask for earlier? That is when you both lie down to sleep recite ‘Allahu Akbar’ [Allah is the Greatest] 34 times, ‘Subhanallah’ [Glory to Allah] 33 times and ‘Alhamdolillah’ [All praise is due to Allah] 33 times. This will be better for both of you than requesting for a worker for the house.’”
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates, “Hazrat Fatimah (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (sa) in order to request for a worker for the home and expressed difficulty in the housework. The Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘You will not find such a worker with me’”, meaning that she would not be given a worker, as the Holy Prophet (sa) did not wish to give her one. Even though Hazrat Ali (ra) was entitled one from the spoils of war. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) did not give him one. Instead, the Holy Prophet (sa) said to her, “Shall I not tell you about something which will be better for you than obtaining a worker? Before going to sleep, you should recite ‘Subhanallah’ 33 times, ‘Alhamdolillah’ 33 times and ‘Allahu Akbar’ 34 times.” This is a narration of Sahih Muslim.
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Dhikr wa al-Du’a wa al-Taubah, Bab al-Tasbih Awwal al-Nahar w inda al-Naum, Hadith 6915, 6918)