CHAPTER 48
ABU BAKR VERSUS FATIMA (AS)
Fatima the only surviving child of the Prophet, his most beloved claimed inheritance of the Property which could be apportioned to her in the lands of Medina and in Khaibar, as also Fadak, which having been acquired without the use of force, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) had given her for her maintenance, in accordance with the commands of Allah.59 Yet, Fadak became an arena for political games when Abu Bakr refused to transfer it to Fatima. It is appropriate here to speak about Fadak before clarifying the corresponding events which occurred in its regard:
Fadak was a village located at a two day walking distance from Medina. Apparently, it was inhabited by Jews who refused to submit to Islam at the beginning, but when the later realized the might of the Muslims, especially after they-led by Ali Ibn Abu Talib conquered Khaibar, the Jews decided to yield to the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) without fighting. So he (P.B.U.H) took possession of the village.
The village was valued at 100,000 dirhams by Umar's appraisers when he expelled its inhabitants to Syria. Umar took possession of the village and paid half of the price to the Jews.
Fadak Becomes the Prophet's Personal Property
Since the reason which motivated the inhabitants of Fadak to transfer its possession to Allah's Messenger was fear of the
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59. The last several pages have been produced from the book: The Early History of Islam by Sayyid Safdar Hussain.
Muslims after they had conquered Khaibar, this Property became the sole possession of the Prophet (P.B.U.H). This conforms to Allah's decree in Holy Quran:
"What Allah has bestowed on His Apostles (and taken away) from them for this (which) ye made no expedition with either calvary or camelry: But Allah gives power to His Apostles over any He pleases: and Allah Has power over all things."
There was no dispute between the Muslims that Fadak belonged to the Prophet (P.B.U.H); rather, the disagreement was related to how much Fadak had the Jews granted him as part of the peace settlement. Thus, it is strange to hear Abu Bakr narrate a tradition from the Prophet saying:
"We the group of Prophets do not inherit, nor are we inherited; what we leave is for alms!! Because, had the Prophet (P.B.U.H) actually said so (which is doubted), how did Abu Bakr understand from this saying that Fadak did not belong to him (P.B.U.H). There is clear contradiction in Abu Bakr's arguments.
Therefore, after realizing beyond doubt that Fadak was the personal Property of Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H), it is appropriate to inquire as to what he did with it? But the answer is clear. He (P.B.U.H) granted it to Fatima (AS) before his death. In other words, Fadak became the personal property of Lady Fatima Zahra (AS). Moreover, it is not for anyone to object to the Prophet for granting his own Property to any person he wished-including is daughter.
Moreover, the following factors can be cited as proofs that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) granted Fadak to his noble daughter (AS):
1. Fatima's saying to Imam Ali (AS):
"This is Ibn Abu Quhafa snatching away my father's grant to me."
2. Fatima Zahra's saying to Abu Bakr:
"Surely Fadak was granted to me by my father, the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H)"
Especially in light of the fact that her infallibility prevents her from uttering falsehood or from demanding that which does not belong to her.
3. Ali (AS), the infallible Imam, would not allow his wife to demand something which did not belong to her.
4. Imam Ali (AS) wrote in his letter to Uthman Ibn Hunaif:
Yes! Fadak was the only land from that which was under the heavens, in our hands; but the inclinations of certain men lusted for it and the souls of others relinquished it".
Hence, had it been part of the Prophet's inheritance, he (AS) would not have said that it belonged to them (Ali and Fatima).
5. Imam Ali (AS) together with Um Ayman testified to the fact that Allah's Messenger (P.B.H.U) granted it to Lady Fatima Zahra (AS), when Abu Bakr requested Fatima to summon witnesses that he (P.B.U.H) granted it to her.
Yet, despite these undisputable proofs Abu Bakr denied Fatima possession of Fadak and brought the following as proof of the correctness of his action;
1. According to Abu Bakr, Fadak did not belong to the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H); it rather was the property of all Muslims.
2. Besides, according to Abu Bakr, even if it belonged to the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H), he had heard him (P.B.U.H) saying:
"We the group of Prophets do not inherit nor are we inherited."
3. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
"My inheritance of not to be divided after me, even if it is one dinar or dirham. That which I leave is alms, save what is to maintain my wives and dependents."
However, when these hypothetical points made by Abu Bakr
are put on the board of discussion, free from ideological or emotional prejudgments, and far from blind sanctification of the early followers of Islam, we can record the following points against them:
1. It is true he denied the Prophet's ownership of Fadak was the sole possession of Allah's Prophet (P.B.U.H). This fact is also supported by the Quranic verse which we have mentioned. Therefore, Abu Bakr's claim is invalidated for being a mere endeavor to null the effect of the Quran.
2.Abu Bakr's claim that he heard the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H) say:
"We the group of prophets do not inherit, nor are we inherited; what we leave is for alms,"
A. This narration is irrelevant regarding this issue; because we have already stated that Fadak was a grant from the Prophet (P.B.U.H) to his daughter to the issue of inheritance with the purpose of denying Lady Fatima (AS) her property.
B. This narration was only reported by one man-who is Abu Bakr, himself -and since the Holy Quran stated a general rule concerning inheritance, the Prophets and their heirs are included in this rule. So Abu Bakr 's claim can not taken as proof verses the Holy Quran, nor can it be proof for excluding the Prophets and their families from the Quranic rule.
C. Yet, the real reason which provoke Abu Bakr and his followers to deprive Fatima Zahra (AS) from her own property, despite the fact that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said;
"Fatima is part of me, he who loves her loves me, and he who
angers her angers me,"
had more dangerous and implicit motives behind them, and were directly related to the political events of that time.
3. As for Abu Hurairah's narration; it is sufficient for us to keep in mind that he was famous for forging Prophetic traditions. Even he, himself, admitted this; and anyone wishing to study more about his life, should refer to Sheik Al-Madhirah -Abu Hurairah Dowsi, written by Mahmoud Abu Raieh.
The Real Motives Which Lead Abu Bakr to Deny Fatima Fadak.
The history books at hand need through examination and revision, for they have been recorded to the wishes and satisfactions of despotic rulers throughout history. In view of this, and in light of the fact that Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) was a strong supporter of her husband in his quest to regain Caliphate, and that her views were proof that the followers of Imam Ali (AS) can use it to easily verify his claims against Abu Bakr; we can easily understand how Abu Bakr successful in depriving Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) of her rights, how his moves corresponded to his adopted political thinking. So, not only was Abu Bakr able to persuaded the Muslims to dismiss Fatima's stands as those of a woman who can be depended upon even in such a secondary issue like Fadak, but also aimed at convincing them that since she was not be believed in such a matter, she was also to be deserted when it comes to the most important issue of that time (i.e.,Caliphate).
Yet, there are mere more motives that can be supported to have led Abu Bakr to usurp Fatima Zahra (AS) property. Among them are:
1. Since Fadak brought large profits to tis owners, Ali (AS) could use this profit in his fight against Abu Bakr just as Khadija was able
to put her wealth to use against the infidels.
2. The political challenge which Abu Bakr created here, was aimed at providing to Ali and Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) that the nation was not ready to aid them in an emotional issue in which he was successful in downgrading Ali and Fatima by controlling and directing the public nation. Listen to Abu Bakr as he speaks to the people after Fatima's speech in the Mosque:
- "O people!
- What is this attentiveness to every aimless speech?!
- Where were these claims at the time of Allah's
- Messenger (P.B.U.H)
- He who heard something should say so!
- He who witnessed anything should speak out!
- Surely they are (Ali and Fatima, like) foxes who
- have no witness save their tails!
- They instigate every dissension!
- And say: Renew (trouble) after it has cooled down.
- They seek help from the weak and acquire support from
- women.
- They are like Um Tahal (a woman who was a prostitute
- during the era of ignorance)whose family chose
- prostitution for her.
- Surely if I wish can say a lot; and
- had I said (something), would have revealed (much).
- But I will remain silent as long as I am left alone."
3. Abu Bakr's drive to deprive Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) of her property had another underlying motive. Had Abu Bakr admitted Fatima's words in regard to Fadak as undisputable facts, she could also claim her husband's right to leadership,which would force Abu Bakr to hand it back to Ali (AS).
Ibn Abil-Hadid said:
I asked Ali Ibn Fareqi, a distinguished teacher of Madrassa -Gharbia- Baghdad:
"Was Fatima truthful in making the claim (regarding Fadak)?"
He answered: "Yes!"
I said: "Did Abu Bakr know that she was a truthful woman?"
Again he answered: "Yes."
I then asked: "Then why did the Caliph not give that which she was entitled to back to her?"
At that moment the teacher smiled and said with great dignity:
"If he had accepted her word on that day and had returned Fadak to her on account of her being a truthful woman and without asking for any witnesses, she could very well use this position for the benefit of her husband on the following day and say:
My husband, Ali is entitled to the Caliphate, and then the Caliph would have been obliged to surrender the Caliphate on account of his having knowledged her to be a truthful woman. However, in order to obviate any such claim or dispute, he deprived her of her undisputed right!
4. Moreover, there were several emotional factors which lead Abu Bakr to refuse Fatima, Khadija's daughter, her rights. Some of these factors are:
A. Once, the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H) sent Abu Bakr to the Muslims, during Hajj season, to recite for them the newly revealed surah Al-Tawbah, but before reaching his destination, Abu Bakr was stopped by Ali Ibn who informed him that the Messenger commended him to deliver the Surah himself; because according to the prophet (P.B.U.H):
"No-one can take the Messenger 's place of envy save he or someone from him."
This surely creates a feeling of envy in a man's heart!! A matter which can be said to have influenced Abu Bakr himself.
B. when the Prophet was too ill to lead the prayers, Abu Bakr was asked by his daughter, Aisha, to do so. But as soon as Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H) learned what was going on, he, supported by Imam Ali and Abbas, came out and removed Abu Bakr and led the prayers himself. The author of Fatima Um Abiha says in this regard.
"This event might have led Abu Bakr to think that Fatima was the one who informed the Prophet (P.B.U.H) of Abu Bakr's actions, just as Aisha told him (Abu Bakr) to lead the prayer!!"
C. Aisha, the Prophet's wife and Abu Bakr's daughter, had uncalled for feelings towards Fatima and her mother, Khadija.
For instance, Aisha said:
"Despite the fact that Khadija died three years before the Prophet married me, I did not have a feeling of envy for anyone as much as I had for her. This was because he (the Prophet) used to mention her name constantly and he was ordered by His Almighty Lord to give her the good news of a house made of brocade in Paradise. He also used to slaughter sheep and distribute their meat among her (Khadija's) friends."
This undoubtedly led Abu Bakr to join his daughter in her feelings towards Khadija, her daughter (Fatima) and her son-in-law (Ali AS).
D. Aisha, Abu Bakr's daughter was sterile. Yet Khadija (AS) was the only wife of the Prophet who had children that survived. Moreover, that child of Khadija was Aisha's main adversary, Fatima. So the Messenger of Allah's descendants would only come from his daughter and her husband, Ali. This surely was an unwelcomed fact to Aisha and her father, Abu Bakr.
FATIMA'S PROTEST AGAINST
ABU BAKR'S ACTIONS
Fatima (AS) felt grieved by Abu Bakr's actions, and was so displeased with him that when she knew of his attempt to seize Fadak, she accompanied a group of women to the mosque. There she sat down and delivered the following speech:
- Praise be to Allah for that
- which He bestowed (upon us);
- And thanks be to Him for all
- that which He inspired; and
- commended in His name for
- that which He Provided:
- Form prevalent favors which
- He created,
- And abundant benefactions
- which He offered and perfect
- grants which He presented;
- (such benefactions) that
- their number to computer;
- plentiful to computer;
- Bounties too vast to
- measure;
- Their limit was too distant
- to realize;
- He recommended to them (His
- creatures) to gain more (of
- His benefaction) by being
- grateful for their continuity;
- He ordained Himself praiseworthy
- by giving generously to His
- creatures;
- I bear witness that there
- is not God but Allah Who is
- One without that there
- is no God but Allah who is
- One without partner, a
- statement which sincere
- devotion is made to be its
- interpretation;
- hearts is guarantee its
- continuation, and illuminated
- in the minds is its sensibility.
- He who can not be perceived
- described with tongues; nor can
- imagination surround His state.
- He originated things but not
- from anything that existed
- before them, and created them
- without examples to follow. Rather,
- He created them with His might
- and dispersed them according to
- His will; not for a need did He
- created them; nor for a benefit
- (for Him) did He shape them,
- But to establish His wisdom,
- Bring attention to His obedience,
- manifest His might, lead
- His creatures to humbly venerate
- Him, and to exalt His
- decrees. He then made the
- reward for His obedience,
- And punishment for his
- disobedience, so as to protect
- His creatures from His
- Wrath and amass them into His
- Paradise.
- I too bear witness that my
- Father, Muhammad, is His
- Slave and Messenger, Whom
- He chose prior to sending
- him, named him before
- sending him; when creatures
- were still concealed in that
- which was transcendental,
- guarded from that which was
- appalling, and associated with the
- termination and nonexistence.
- For Allah the Exalted knew that
- which was to follow, comprehended
- that which will come to pass,
- And realized that place of every
- event.
- Allah has sent him (Muhammad)
- (P.B.U.H) as perfection for
- His commands, a resolution to
- accomplish His rule, and an
- implementation of the decrees
- of His Mercy. So he found the
- nations to vary in their faiths;
- Obsessed by their fires,
- Worshipping their idols,
- And denying Allah despite
- their knowledge of Him
- Therefore, Allah illuminated
- their darkness with my
- Father, Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
- uncovered obscurity form their
- hearts, and cleared the clouds
- from their insights. He
- revealed guidance among the people;
- So he delivered them from
- away from misguidance, guided
- them to the proper religion, and
- called them to the straight
- path.
- Allah then chose to recall him
- back in mercy,love and
- preference. So, Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
- is in comfort from the burden of
- this world, he is surrounded with
- devoted angels, the satisfaction
- of the Merciful Lord, and the
- nearness of the powerful King.
- So may the praise of Allah be
- upon my Father, His prophet,
- Trusted one, the chosen one
- from among His creatures,
- and His sincere friend, and
- may peace and blessings of
- Allah be upon him.
- (Fatima then turned to the crowd and said:)
- Surely you are Allah's slaves
- at His command Prohibition;
- You are the bearers of His
- religion and revelation;
- You are Allah's trusted ones
- with yourselves;
- and his Messengers to the
- nations.
- Amongst you does He have
- righteous authority;
- A covenant He brought unto
- you, and an heir He left to
- guard you; That is
- The eloquent book of Allah;
- The truthful Quran;
- The brilliant light;
- The shinning beam;
- its insights are indisputable;
- Its secrets are
- revealed; its indications
- are manifest; and its followers
- are blessed by it.
- (The Quran) leads its
- adherents to goodwill; and
- Hearing it leads to salvation;
- with it are the bright divine
- authorities achieved, His
- manifest determination
- acquired,
- His prohibited decrees
- avoided; His manifest evidence
- recognized; His satisfying proofs
- made apparent, His permissions
- granted, and His laws written.
- So Allah made belief to be a
- purification for you from
- polytheism.
- He made:
- Prayer -An exaltation for you
- from conceit.
- Alms -A purification for the
- soul and a (cause of) growth
- in subsistence.
- Fasting -An implementation of
- devotion.
- Pilgrimage -A construction
- of religion.
- Justice -A harmony of the hearts;
- Obeying us (Ahlul-Bayt)-
- Management of the nation.
- Our leadership (Ahlul Bayt):
- Safeguard from disunity.
- Jihad (struggle)-
- A strengthening of Islam.
- Patience -A helping course
- for deserving (divine) reward.
- Ordering goodness (Amr Bi Maruf)-
- Public welfare.
- kindness to the parents-
- A safeguard form wrath.
- Maintaining close relations with
- one's kin-A cause for a longer life and
- multiplying the number of
- descendants.-
- Retaliation (Qesas)-For
- sparing blood (souls).
- Fulfillment of vows-subjecting
- oneself to mercy.
- Completion of weights and
- measures -A cause for preventing
- the neglect of other's rights.
- Forbiddance of drinking wine-
- An exaltation from atrocity.
- Avoiding slander -A veil from curse.
- Abandoning theft-a reason
- for deserving chastity.
- Allah has also prohibited polytheism
- so that one can devote himself to
- His Lordship.
- Therefore;
- Fear Allah as He should be
- feared, and die not except in a
- state of Islam;
- Obey Allah in what He
- has commanded you to do and
- that which He has forbidden,
- for surely those truly fear
- among His servants, who have knowledge.
Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) then added:
- Be informed that I am Fatima,
- and my father is Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
- I say that repeatedly and initiate
- it continually; I say not what
- I say mistakenly, nor do I do
- what I do aimlessly.
- Now hath come unto you an
- Apostle from amongst yourselves;
- It grieves him that you should
- perish;
- Ardently anxious is he over you;
- To the believers he is most
- kind and Merciful.
- Thus, if you identify and recognize
- him, you shall realize
- that he is my father and not
- the father of my cousin (Ali (AS))
- rather than any of your men.
- What an excellent identity he was,
- may the peace and blessings of
- Allah be upon him and his descendants.
- Thus, he propagated the Message,
- by coming out openly with the
- warning, and while inclined away
- from the path of the polytheists,
- (whom he) struck their strength and
- seized their throats, while he
- invited (all) to the way of his
- Lord with wisdom and beautiful
- preaching;
- He destroyed idols, and
- defeated heros, until their
- group fled and turned their
- backs.
- So night revealed its down;
- righteousness uncovered its
- genuineness; the voice of the
- religious authority spoke out
- loud; the evil discords were
- silenced; The crown of hypocrisy
- was diminished; the
- tightening of infidelity
- and desertion were united,
- So you spoke the statement
- of devotion amongst a band
- of starved ones; and you were
- on the edge of a hole of fire;
- (you were) the drink of the
- thirsty one; the opportunity
- of the desiring one; the fire
- brand of him who passes in haste;
- the step for feet; you used to
- drink from the water gathered
- on roads; eat jerked meat.
- (Lady Fatima (AS) was stating their lowly situation
- before Islam)
- You were despised outcasts
- always in fear of abduction
- from those around you.
- Yet, Allah rescued you through
- my father, Muhammad (P.B.U.H);
- after much ado, and after he
- was confronted by mighty men,
- the arab beasts, and the demons
- of the people of the Book,
- Who, whenever they ignited the
- fire of war, Allah extinguished it;
- and whenever the thorn of the
- devil appeared, or a mouth of
- the polytheists opened wide in
- defiance, he (P.B.U.H) would
- strike its discords with his
- brother (Ali AS), who comes
- not back until he treads its
- wing with the sole of his feet,
- and extinguishes its flames
- with his sword.
- (Ali is) diligent in Allah's
- affair, near to the Messenger
- of Allah, A master among Allah's
- orshippers, setting to work
- briskly, sincere in his advice,
- earnest and exerting himself
- (in service to Islam);
- While you were calm, gay, and
- feeling safe in your comfortable
- lives, waiting for us to
- meet disasters, awaiting the
- spread of news, you fell back
- during every battle, and took
- to your heels at times of
- fighting. Yet, When Allah
- chose His prophet from the
- dwell of His Prophets, and
- the abode of His sincere
- (servants); The thorns of
- hypocrisy appeared on you,
- the garment of faith became
- worn out, The misguided
- ignorant(s) spoke out,
- the sluggish ignorant came
- to the front and brayed.
- The he camel of the vain
- wiggled his tail in your
- courtyards and the your
- courtyards and the Devil
- stuck his head from its
- place of hiding and called
- upon you, he found you responsive
- to his invitation,
- and observing his deceits.
- He then aroused you and
- found you quick (to answer
- him), and invited you to wrath, therefore; you branded
- other than your camels and
- proceeded to other than your
- drinking places. Then while
- the era of the Prophet was
- still near, the gash was still
- side, the scar had not yet healed,
- and the Messenger was not yet,
- buried.
- A (quick) undertaking as you
- claimed, aimed at preventing
- discord (trial),
- Surely, they have fallen into
- trial already! And indeed Hell
- surrounds the unbelievers.
- How preposterous!
- For Allah's Book is still
- amongst you, its affairs
- are apparent; its rules
- are dazzling; its restrictions
- are visible, and its commands
- are evident. Yet, indeed you have
- casted it behind your backs!
- What!
- Do you detest it?
- Or according to something
- else you wish to rule?
- Evil would be the exchange for
