CHAPTER 46 – Hadiths Regarding Curtain Usage
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) returned from a journey one day and went first to his daughter Fatima. However, when he saw a curtain at her door, he did not enter. (Abdullah continued: ) It was rare that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would return from a journey without visiting his wives before visiting Fatima. When Ali returned home, he found Fatima in distress and asked, "What is wrong?" Fatima replied, “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) came to me but did not enter; I am saddened by that.”
Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, your daughter Fatima is distressed because you came to her and did not enter.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said, "What have I to do with the world? What have I to do with embroidered curtains?" Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) went to Fatima and informed her of what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) had said.
Fatima told Ali, “Tell the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) that he commands me to dispose of these curtains.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) commanded Ali, "Tell Fatima to send those curtains to so-and-so’s sons."
[Explanation: This hadith encourages caution against excessive luxuries which lead to arrogance, and warns that extravagant things incline people towards the world.]
Ibn al-Fudayl reported from his father, Fudayl, relating the preceding hadith. In this narration, it was said that Fatima possessed a curtain with embroidery at her door.