Seerah

Adopted from the book : "Fatima; the Gracious" by : Abu Muhammad Ordoni"

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 thatthe 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.