Fadak
Usurpation of Faatimah’s positions and her demand for them in Bakri and Moslem references
Omm Salamah objects to Aboo Bakr
Do the prophets leave inheritance?!
An interesting Bakri explanation!
Fadak Between Usurping And Returning
After the attacks on the home of cAli and Faatimah, Aboo Bakr ordered the usurpation of Faatimah’s positions.
Fadak was a vast expanse of fertile land in the Arabian Peninsula that produced crops, especially dates. It is also said that it included several villages, and it is said that it included a town. Its owners gave it to Rasoolollaah as part of a deal, and it is said that it was given to him as a gift[1].
It has been narrated that the annual profits of Fadak, during those years, was as much as seventy thousand Deenaars[2].
Many Bakri scholars narrate that Rasoolollaah gave Fadak to Faatimah during his life, thus it was her property when he died.
One such Bakri narration is as follows:
((When “And give to the Near of Kin his due[3]” was revealed, the Prophet asked for Faatimah, and gave her Fadak[4].)).
Moslems also narrate from Rasoolollaah who said:
((…And your father gives it (Fadak) to you as a gift, for you and your children after you. Then he (Rasoolollaah) asked for a skin and told cAli ibn Abi Taalib: Write, that Fadak belongs to Faatimah, a gift from Rasoolollaah[5].)).
When Mokhayreeq, a wealthy influential Jewish scholar from the Bani al-Nadeer tribe, converted to Islam, he gave these farms around Madinah to Rasoolollaah as a gift[6].
And Rasoolollaah gave them to Faatimah as waqf[7], and used some of their income for his needs[8]. So at the time of his death, they were Faatimah’s property.
Khaybar was a series of forts, a most important Jewish center in the Arabian Peninsula.
After the Arab Jews turned against the newly established Moslem rule, broke their numerous agreements with the Moslems, made a pact with the Idolaters, participated with the Idolaters in some of their battles against the Moslems, and independently waged a number of wars against the Moslems, Rasoolollaah finally marched an army to their most important stronghold in the Arabia—Khaybar.
There, a large number of Jews converted to Islam when they saw the miracles performed by Rasoolollaah and Ameer al-Mo’meneen; and the remaining Jews made a new agreement with Rasoolollaah.
After the liberation of Khaybar, four-fifth of its assets were divided between the Moslems, and one fifth of it which was the Khoms went to Allaah, Rasoolollaah, Dhawi al-Qorbaa[10], and the orphans, and the poor and the travelers in need of financial help among the larger family of Rasoolollaah.
And after Rasoolollaah’s martyrdom, the remainder of the Khoms of Khaybar should have come to cAli and Faatimah as the representatives of Rasoolollaah and his Dhawi al-Qorbaa.
After his martyrdom, Rasoolollaah left a huge inheritance, all of which were usurped by Aboo Bakr.
Khoms is an Islamic tax of 20% levied, among other things, on the annual superfluous income. Khoms is given to the Prophet or one of his kholafaa’ or one of the representatives of the final khaleefah—Maraajic[11], who then give it to its legal recipients accordingly.
However, when Aboo Bakr usurped the khelaafah, he withheld the Khoms from cAli and Faatimah; and the other Usurpers of the Khelaafah followed suit.
The portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa
Khoms has six portions: that of Allaah, Rasoolollaah, Dhawi al-Qorbaa, and the orphans, and the poor and the travelers in need of financial help among the larger family of Rasoolollaah.
All Bakri and Moslem scholars agree that the during the life of Rasoolollaah, the portion of Allaah was to be given to Rasoolollaah to be spent in His way; and they all agree that after the martyrdom of Rasoolollaah, the portions of Allaah and Rasoolollaah were to be given to his khaleefah, who according to the Moslems was Ameer al-Mo’meneen. But after the usurpation of the khelaafah, these two portions, like the rest of the Khoms, were withheld from Ameer al-Mo’meneen as the Bakri party refused to recognize his khelaafah.
However, according to the Holy Qor’aan, the portion of Dhawi al-Qorba should have been given to Ameer al-Mo’meneen and Sayyedat Nesaa’ al-cAAlameen irrespective of who was considered to be the legitimate khaleefah, where Allaah says:
{And know that whatever thing you gain, a fifth of it is for Allaah and for the Apostle and for the near of kin (Dhawi al-Qorbaa) and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, if you believe in Allaah and in that which We revealed to Our servant[12].}.
But regardless, Aboo Bakr and the other usurpers refused to even allow the portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa, one-sixth of the Khoms, to go to cAli and Faatimah.
Faatimah’s usurped positions were of three categories:
1- The property that she owned during the life of Rasoolollaah.
2- Her inheritance from her father.
3- The Khoms.
When Aboo Bakr usurped the first and withheld the other two, she sat out to demand them publicly.
First she demanded Fadak as her property, but when Aboo Bakr asked for witnesses who testified that Rasoolollaah had given it to her during his life, and then rejected all of her witnesses, she demanded it as her inheritance from Rasoolollaah; but Aboo Bakr was well prepared for this!!
And as this subject is highly sensitive and very revealing, Bakri scholars have been extremely cautious in narrating it. Therefore, one thing that these narrations have in common is their lack of detail and the usual censorship. Some instances are:
Bakri scholars narrate from cOmar(LA)[13], who said:
((Faatimah came to Aboo Bakr along with cAli, and said: I want my inheritance from my father Rasoolollaah… Fadak and Khaybar and his assets in Madinah. I inherit them just as your daughters will inherit you when you die.
Aboo Bakr said: …Indeed Rasoolollaah had said: We [the prophets] do not leave inheritance[14].)).
Bakri scholars narrate from cAa’eshah who said:
((Indeed, Faatimah asked Aboo Bakr for her inheritance from Rasoolollaah (in Madinah and Fadak, and the remaining Khoms of Khaybar[15]).
But Aboo Bakr said: Indeed, Rasoolollaah has said: We [the prophets] do not leave inheritance.
Thus Faatimah became angry and rejected Aboo Bakr, and continued her rejection until she died[16].)).
Bakri scholars also narrate from cAa’eshah who said:
((Indeed, Faatimah and cAbbaas came to Aboo Bakr, asking for their inheritance from Rasoolollaah, demanding Fadak and his share of Khaybar.
Aboo Bakr said to them: I have heard Rasoolollaah say: We [the prophets] do not leave inheritance[17].)).
However a number of Bakri scholars have, to some extent, resisted the temptation to censor, and have narrated a little bit more detail. A few instances are as follows:
((…Thus Faatimah rejected him and did not speak with him until she died[18]; so cAli buried her at night, and did not inform Aboo Bakr[19].)).
((Faatimah said to Aboo Bakr: Who inherits you when you die?
Aboo Bakr: My children and my family.
Faatimah: So why cannot we inherit the Prophet?![20])).
((Faatimah came to Aboo Bakr and demanded Fadak. But Aboo Bakr said: Rasoolollaah has said: We [the prophets] do not leave inheritance.
Faatimah: O Abaa Bakr! Do your daughters inherit you, and Rasoolollaah’s daughter does not inherit him?!
Aboo Bakr: It is exactly as you said[21].)).
((After Rasoolollaah’s death, Faatimah came to Aboo Bakr and said: Indeed, Fadak was a gift from my father that he gave me during his life.
But Aboo Bakr denied this and told her: I want witnesses for your claim.
Thus cAli stood as her witness. Aboo Bakr then asked for another witness, and Omm Ayman stood as the second witness.
So Aboo Bakr said to Faatimah: Do you demand Fadak from me with one male and one female witnesses?![22])).
((Faatimah said to Aboo Bakr: Give me Fadak, for surely it was given to me by Rasoolollaah.
He asked her for witnesses, and she brought Omm Ayman and Rebaah, the Prophet’s servant; and they testified.
Aboo Bakr then said: In this matter the minimum required witnesses are one man and two women[23].)).
((Faatimah said to Aboo Bakr: Indeed, Omm Ayman testifies that Rasoolollaah gave Fadak to me.
Aboo Bakr: This property did not belong to Rasoolollaah!!?
Faatimah: By Allaah, I shall never speak to you again.
She also said: I will surely pray to Allaah against you[24].)).
((Faatimah and cAbbaas came to Aboo Bakr asking for their inheritance, and cAli came along with them.
Aboo Bakr said: Rasoolollaah has said: We [the prophets] do not leave inheritance.
So cAli said: “And SolaymAAn inherited DAAwOOd[25]”; and Zakariyyaa said: “Who should inherit me and inherit from the children of YacqOOb[26]”…
Ali then said: This is the Book of Allaah speaking[27].)).
((cAbdorrahmaan ibn Abi Laylaa narrates: I met cAli and asked him: My parents be your sacrifice, what did Aboo Bakr and cOmar do with the right of Ahl al-Bayt to Khoms?
Ali: …Indeed, cOmar said: You have the right to the Khoms, but I do not think that you can have it all if it is a large amount; so if you like, I will give you some of it.
Thus we rejected anything less that all of the Khoms, and he refused to give us all of it[28].)).
((Faatimah came to Aboo Bakr to demand the portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa. But Aboo Bakr told her: I heard Rasoolollaah say: The portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa is given to them during my life and not after my death!![29])).
((Ibn cAbbaas said: cOmar wanted to give us some of the Khoms, but we rejected it and said: The portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa is one-fifth of the Khoms[30].)).
Moslems scholars narrate from Imaam Saadiq(AS)[31] who said:
((When Aboo Bakr started his rule, cOmar told him: Indeed, people are the slaves of money, they do not see any other thing; so withhold the Khoms and Fadak from cAli and his family, for surely his followers will leave him as soon as they find out, and will come to you wanting some of that money.
And Aboo Bakr acted as cOmar had suggested…
(When Faatimah went to claim her legal positions, cOmar said to her in that heated argument): Then all of the Khoms, etc. belong to you and your followers?!
Then cOmar asked her for proof, and she said: You believed Jaabir and Jorayr without asking them for proof, and my proof is in the Qor’aan.
Omar: Jaabir and Jorayr asked for a small thing, but you are asking for a large thing[32].)).
Moslems also narrate:
((Then Omm Ayman said: Faatimah who is the Chief of the Women of the Heaven claims to own what does not belong to her?! And I as an inhabitant of Heaven do not testify to what I have not heard.
Omar: O Omm Ayman! Forget these stories!! What is your testimony?
Omm Ayman: I was sitting in Faatimah’s home when Rasoolollaah gave her Fadak. And then he said: O Omm Ayman! Witness this, and O cAli! Witness this.
Omar: You are a woman and we do not accept the single testimony of one woman. And cAli is biased…[33])).
((Faatimah came to Aboo Bakr and said: Why have you withheld my inheritance from my father Rasoolollaah, and forced out my trustee from Fadak, despite the fact that Rasoolollaah had given it to me by Allaah the Almighty’s command?!
Aboo Bakr: Bring me witnesses.
So she brought Omm Ayman. And Omm Ayman said: I will not testify O Aboo Bakr! until I ask you about what Rasoolollaah had said. I ask you in Allaah’s name, do you not know that Rasoolollaah said: Omm Ayman is a woman from the inhabitants of Heaven?!
Aboo Bakr: Yes.
Omm Ayman: Now I stand witness that Allaah, the Great, the Almighty, revealed to Rasoolollaah: “And give to the Near of Kin his due[34]”, and he gave Fadak to Faatimah by the order of the Almighty Allaah.
Then cAli came and testified to that.
Thus Aboo Bakr wrote a deed giving Fadak to Faatimah.
Suddenly cOmar entered and said: What is this document?
Aboo Bakr: Indeed, Faatimah claimed Fadak and Omm Ayman and cAli testified to her ownership, so I wrote this deed for her.
cOmar then took the deed, spited on it and tore it.
So Faatimah went out crying.
Later cAli went to Aboo Bakr in the mosque, when the Mohaajireen and the Ansaar were sitting around him, and said: O Abaa Bakr! Why do you withhold Faatimah’s inheritance from Rasoolollaah [Fadak], even though she owned it during his life?!
Aboo Bakr: It belongs to the Moslems. And if she does not bring witnesses that Rasoolollaah had given it to her, then she does not have any claim to it.
Ali: O Abaa Bakr! You judge against Allaah’s rule?!
Aboo Bakr: No.
Ali: So if the Moslems had something in their hands, and I claimed that it belonged to me, who will you ask to bring witnesses?
Aboo Bakr: I will ask you.
Ali: So why did you ask Faatimah to bring witnesses for what she had in her hands, even though she owned it during Rasoolollaah’s life and after his death?!
Aboo Bakr stayed silent for a while, then he said: O cAli, let us forget what you just said, as we cannot refute your argument. If you cannot bring acceptable witnesses, then Fadak belongs to the Moslems, and neither you nor Faatimah have any right to it.
Ali: O Abaa Bakr! do you read Allaah’s Book?
Aboo Bakr: Yes.
Ali: Tell me about: “Allaah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House! and to purify you a (thorough) purifying[35]”. About whom was it revealed? About us or others?
Aboo Bakr: About you.
Ali: So if some witnesses came forward and testified that Faatimah the Daughter of Rasoolollaah had committed adultery, what will you do to her?
Aboo Bakr: I would punish her just as I would punish any other Moslem woman.
Ali: Then you would be an infidel!!
Aboo Bakr: And for what reason?
Ali: Because you reject the testimony of Allaah to her cleanness and accept people’s testimony, just as you rejected the rule of Allaah and His Messenger when they gave her Fadak, and claimed that it belonged to the Moslems, although Rasoolollaah had said: The burden of proof lies on the claimant, and the oath is for the respondent.
So people began to murmur their disapproval, and said: By Allaah, cAli is right[36].)).
Moslems scholars also narrate a lengthy hadeeth from Imaam Saadiq on this subject, a shortened version of which is as follows:
((When Aboo Bakr’s rule became stable, he ordered his herald to announce: Whoever had loaned Rasoolollaah money or any other thing, come to me to repay him.
Thus Jaabir ibn cAbdollaah and Jorayr ibn cAbdollaah al-Bajli went to him and each of them made a claim; and Aboo Bakr repaid them.
So Faatimah also went to Aboo Bakr and protested, reading some verses of the Holy Qor’aan, and said: You believed Jaabir and Jorayr and did not ask them to bring proof, and my proof is in the Book of Allaah.
Then they asked her to bring witnesses, so she sent for cAli, Hasan, Hosayn, Omm Ayman and Asmaa’ bint cOmays, Aboo Bakr’s wife, all of whom testified for her.
Aboo Bakr said: cAli is her husband, and Hasan and Hosayn are her sons, and Omm Ayman is her housemaid, and Asmaa’ bint cOmays was previously married to Jacfar ibn Abi Taalib, so she tends to be bios towards Bani Haashim; so all of these people are biased witnesses!!
Ali said: Faatimah is a part of Rasoolollaah, whomsoever annoys her, he has surely annoyed Rasoolollaah; and whomsoever accuses her of lying, he has surely accused Rasoolollaah of lying. And Hasan and Hosayn are the Two Sons of Rasoolollaah, and the Masters of the Youths of Heaven; whoever accuses them of lying, he has surely accused Rasoolollaah of lying, as the inhabitants of Heaven are all truthful. And Rasoolollaah has said about me: You are from me and I am from you, and you are my Brother in this world and the Hereafter, and your denier is my denier; whomsoever obeys you, he has surely obeyed me; and whomsoever disobeys you, he has surely disobeyed me. And Rasoolollaah promised Omm Ayman the Heaven. And he prayed for Asmaa’ bint cOmays and for her lineage.
Omar: You are as you explained yourselves, but the testimony of the biased cannot be accepted.
Ali: If we are as you know and do not deny, yet our testimonies are not acceptable, and neither is the testimony of Rasoolollaah, thus “Surely we are Allaah’s and to Him we shall surely return[37]”.
When we claim something you ask us for proof, and there is no supporter to support!!… “And they who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall turn back[38]”.
Then he said to Faatimah: Leave, until Allaah rules between us, and He is the best of the judges[39].)).
As Aboo Bakr claimed that the Moslems had chosen him as Rasoolollaah’s khaleefah, he could not always act as harsh as he wanted to. That is when his top ruffian, cOmar, made himself useful.
One such instance was when Aboo Bakr(LA)[40] ran out of argument and had no civil way to escape from Faatimah’s reasoning. Thus he resorted to his preferred tactic, as Bakri scholars narrate:
((Faatimah the Daughter of Rasoolollaah came to Aboo Bakr whilst he was on the menbar, and she said: O Abaa Bakr! Is it in the Book of Allaah that your daughters can inherit you, but I cannot inherit my father?!…
So Aboo Bakr descended from the menbar weeping, and wrote a deed, returning Fadak to Faatimah.
Suddenly, cOmar came and said: What is this?
Aboo Bakr: A document that I wrote, allowing Faatimah her inheritance from her father…
cOmar then took the document and tore it[41].)).
The famous Bakri scholar Ibn Abi al-Hadeed writes in his acclaimed encyclopedia after recording the above event:
((And indeed, this meaning has been narrated through different chains of narrators in different forms[42].)).
Moslem scholars narrate:
((…Thus he (Aboo Bakr) called for a paper, and he wrote that Fadak be returned to her.
So when she left, cOmar met her [in the street] and said: O daughter of Mohammad! what is that document you are holding?
Faatimah: Aboo Bakr has written that Fadak be returned to me.
Omar: Let me have it. But she refused to give it to him; so he hit her and took the document and tore it[43].)).
When Aboo Bakr repeatedly refused to return Faatimah’s positions to her, she went to the mosque and gave a most damaging public speech against the Bakri rule, which went beyond the usurpation of her positions[44]; and later in her home, she gave another public speech to the women of Mohaajireen and Ansaar who had come to visit her, against the Bakri regime[45].
When people heard her speech in the mosque, they started to murmur; so attempting to contain the damage, Aboo Bakr spoke and brought excuses for his actions; but Faatimah(AaS)[46] immediately refuted him. And his second attempt encountered another strong reaction from Faatimah, creating uproar in the crowds.
After the gathering ended in disorder and confusion, and the people dispersed, voices were raised and the city went into shock.
It has been narrated that Aboo Bakr and cOmar had the following discussion:
((Aboo Bakr said to cOmar: Dirt be on your hands! Why could not leave me?! Maybe things would have turned out our way without violence. Would not that have been best?!
Omar: It would have weaken your authority…
Aboo Bakr: Woe unto you, and what about the daughter of Mohammad?! People have indeed learned what she is calling for, and know what treachery we are committing.
Omar: Was it but a trouble that ended, and a difficult hour that passed?! It is now as though nothing had happened…
Perform the salaat; pay the Zakaat[47] to its recipients; command to the good deeds; prohibit the bad deeds… for indeed Allaah says: “Surely good deeds take away evil deeds[48]”. A single crime in a number of good deeds. Follow me on this.
Then Aboo Bakr tapped cOmar on the shoulder and said: How many agonies you have removed O cOmar!
Then he called people to the mosque, and they gathered[49].)).
When the people gathered in the mosque, Aboo Bakr ascended the menbar and gave a short public speech against Ameer al-Mo’meneen[50], in which he also threatened his opposition, especially the Ansaar.
Ibn Abi al-Hadeed, the famous Bakri scholar, narrates:
((When Aboo Bakr heard her (Faatimah) speech, and saw the dissension and the angry murmurs among the people, he feared an uprising; so he ascended the menbar and said:
O you people! Why do you listen to everything that is said?!…
Indeed, he (Ali) is but a fox whose witness is his tail!! He accompanies every disturbance…
They (Ali and Faatimah) ask for help from the weak, and ask for support from the women!! Just like Omm Tahaal to whom the prostitute is her favorite family member[51]!!…
Then he looked at the Ansaar and said: O crowd of the Ansaar! I have surely heard the words of your fools!… Beware of the fact that I will indeed not extend my hand and tongue to anyone who does not deserve it!!…
Ibn Abi al-Hadeed continues to say: I read this speech to the chief Aboo Yahyaa al-Basri [one of my teachers], and asked him: To whom is Aboo Bakr pointing?
Aboo Yahyaa: His statement is rather undisguised.
I said: If it were, I would not have asked you.
So he laughed and said: cAli ibn Abi Taalib.
So I said: He is saying all of this about cAli?!
Aboo Yahyaa: Yes, O my son! It is the reign!!…[52])).
It has been narrated that after Aboo Bakr’s response to Faatimah’s speech in the mosque, Omm Salamah (Rasoolollaah’s wife) stood up and said:
((To the likes of Faatimah, the Daughter of Rasoolollaah, is this said?!
She is, by Allaah, the Human Houri, and Rasoolollaah’s soul; she has been brought up on the laps of God-fearing men, and has grown on the laps of pious women, and has been touched by the hands of the angels…
Do you think that Rasoolollaah prohibited her from his inheritance and did not inform her, when the Almighty Allaah says: “And warn your nearest relations[53]”?!
Or did he warn her but she ignored his warning?!
She is the best of the women and the mother of the Masters of the Youths of Heaven. With her father, Allaah completed His missions. By Allaah, he always protected her from the heat and the cold, and cushioned her with his right hand and covered her with his left hand.
Slowly! Rasoolollaah is watching you, and to Allaah you will return, and then you will learn.
As a result, her dues were withheld that year[54].)).
After Rasoolollaah’s death, Aboo Bakr usurped Faatimah’s positions and rejected her witnesses who testified that she owned them during Rasoolollaah’s life.
Faatimah then demanded them, in addition to new assets, as her inheritance from her father. But Aboo Bakr who was well prepared, claimed that he had heard Rasoolollaah say: “We the prophets do not leave inheritance”; and said that his daughter cAa’eshah testifies that she had also heard Rasoolollaah make that statement.
Now, did Faatimah own those assets during the life of her father; or was Aboo Bakr right in usurping them? And did Rasoolollaah really say that he does not leave inheritance; or was it just another Bakri falsification?
The following notes should give some irrefutable answers:
1- Aboo Bakr rejected Faatimah’s six witnesses: cAli, Hasan, Hosayn, Omm Ayman, Rebaah (Rasoolollaah’s servant) and Asmaa’ bint cOmays (Aboo Bakr’s wife), who testified to Faatimah’s ownership of those positions during Rasoolollaah’s life, when he had only one witness, cAa’eshah (his daughter), who claimed that she had also heard Rasoolollaah say: “We the prophets do not leave inheritance”!!
2- It was much to Aboo Bakr’s benefit if Rasoolollaah were not to leave any inheritance, as he would have received a good portion of all that wealth when it was divided between the Moslems. More importantly, none of that huge financial support would go to his strongest and most dangerous opposition, but instead it will all come to him to be spent under his supervision. And cAa’eshah, as Aboo Bakr’s daughter, would equally benefit.
3- The kinds of cAli, Faatimah, Hasan, Hosayn, Omm Ayman and Asmaa’ bint cOmays have a property in them which makes them unreliable in anything they claim, no matter how many they are; whereas the kinds of cAa’eshah have a property in them which makes them reliable in anything they say, no matter how few they are!! Contrasts can be made, as an instance, in the question of the khelaafah, when the testimony of a large number of witnesses who testified to the fact that Ameer al-Mo’meneen(AS)[55] was Rasoolollaah’s God-Appointed successor was shamelessly rejected, whereas the claim of cAa’eshah, on her own, that Rasoolollaah had said: “Tell Aboo Bakr to lead the Moslems in the salaat” was eagerly accepted!!
4- When Aboo Bakr claimed that he had heard Rasoolollaah make that statement, only his daughter testified that she had also heard him; but no other person came forward to support his claim. This means that no one else had heard Rasoolollaah. But how is that possible?! Why would the Prophet only tell these two that the prophets do not leave inheritance, and not tell others, especially when he was always with people and among them, and could easily have told them?!
5- Why would Rasoolollaah tell a stranger such as Aboo Bakr that what he leaves behind can not be inherited, and not tell his closest family—his heir?! If Rasoolollaah was not to leave any inheritance, should not he, by the Islamic law, have informed his family—his heir, so that they would not take his positions as inheritance?! This is when Islam so much encourages writing a will, and renewing it regularly; and very strongly discourages leaving anything, no matter how little, out of the will; and warns against not having a will, even for very small and inconsiderable things.
6- Could it be that Rasoolollaah in fact told his family—his heir, that they can not inherit him; but after his death, they lied and demanded his inheritance?! Not even a blind-hearted, prejudiced, bigot Bakri has ever claimed that.
7- The Holy Qor’aan tells many stories about the people of the past and their Messengers, and Rasoolollaah spoke much about the prophets, their lives, missions, characteristics, personalities, etc. So why would not he or the Holy Qor’aan tell the Moslems about this very distinctive and special law that only the prophets were subject to?!
8- According to Bakri references, when Faatimah demanded the portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa[56] from Aboo Bakr, he told her that he had heard Rasoolollaah say: “The portion of Dhawi al-Qorbaa is given to them during my life and not after my death”. But as with the statement regarding the inheritance of the prophets, no one else did ever claim to have heard Rasoolollaah make this statement. So Aboo Bakr is the only person to have heard Rasoolollaah make these two very important announcements both of which happened to be most crucial for him after the Prophet’s demise!?
9- If Rasoolollaah’s positions were to automatically become sadaqah[57] after his death, as Aboo Bakr claimed to have heard it from him, then the late prophet should have appointed a trustee to manage and supervise it, as is the case with all large sadaqaat[58]. But after his martyrdom, no one claimed to have been appointed as his trustee, and no one came forward with any knowledge of any appointed trustee; and even Aboo Bakr did not claim to be his trustee. So could it be that this great prophet who saw to every large and small thing had forgotten or ignored his own teachings and not chosen a trustee for his large sadaqaat?! Or like everyone else, his positions should have been inherited by his heirs, but were usurped by the Bakri party?!
10- But supposing, for the sake of argument, that the first possibility was the case, then, according to Islamic law, these sadaqaat should have been surrendered to the guardianship of his closest relative, his daughter Faatimah. And under no circumstances could they legally be usurped by Aboo Bakr, as according to the Bakris, Aboo Bakr was chosen by the people to be their leader; and as a leader who had been appointed by the people, his authority was not extensive enough to allow him to interfere in people’s financial affairs. So on what basis did he takeover the positions of Faatimah?!
11- Aboo Bakr’s actions contradict his claim that the prophets do not leave inheritance. As the Bakris narrate that he gave Rasoolollaah’s turban, sword and mule to Ameer al-Mo’meneen as his inheritance from Rasoolollaah!! He also gave Rasoolollaah’s room to cAa’eshah as her inheritance from Rasoolollaah. He also gave Zobayr ibn al-cAwaam and Mohammad ibn Moslemah some of Rasoolollaah’s patrimony.
12- The claims of Jaabir and Jorayr that Rasoolollaah owed them were accepted without asking them for proof or witnesses, whereas Faatimah’s claim to which she had both proof and witnesses was rejected.
13- cAa’eshah’s testimony is not acceptable, as her claiming her inheritance from Rasoolollaah, from cOthmaan, rejects “We the prophets do not leave inheritance”!!
14- cOthmaan, the first Amawi ruler and the Third Usurper of the Khaleefah, gave Fadak during his rule to Marwaan ibn al-Hakam, the only Idolater sent into exile by Rasoolollaah!! And after cOthmaan, almost every usurper of the khelaafah gave it to one or a number of people during his rule. So why could not Aboo Bakr give Fadak to Rasoolollaah’s only daughter, Faatimah?! Was he wrong, or were they wrong?!
15- Why must Faatimah bring several witnesses (a minimum of two men or one man and two women) who should meet strange conditions such as not being related to her tribe, not even once married to a member of her tribe, when Aboo Bakr brings only his daughter as his witness in the very important claim that the prophets do not leave inheritance?!
16- Aboo Bakr had never been known as a knowledgeable person, and had not narrated many ahaadeeth[59]; so what are the chances of authenticity in a hadeeth that only such a person narrates?!
17- Among all the Moslems, Allaah chose only cAli, Faatimah, Hasan and Hosayn to go to the Mobaahalah with Rasoolollaah; and He revealed the Aayah of Tat-heer about them, testifying to their cEsmah[60]; and He chose cAli as the Commander of the Faithful; and He chose Faatimah as the Chief of the Women of the Heaven, and He chose Hasan and Hosayn as the Masters of the Youths of Heaven; and the Bakri leaders themselves have narrated countless praises from Rasoolollaah for these people, for instance cAa’eshah narrated from Rasoolollaah who said: “cAli is with the Truth, and the Truth is with cAli; and they will never separate until they come to me in the Hereafter”. These commendations and statements from Allaah and Rasoolollaah mean that cAli, Faatimah, Hasan and Hosayn do not lie, but nevertheless the Bakri party refused their testimony!!!
18- Aboo Bakr’s claim that the prophets do not leave inheritance contradicts the Holy Qor’aan where it says: “And women shall have a portion of what the parents and the near relatives leave[61]”; “AllAAh enjoins you concerning your children: The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females[62]”; “Therefore grant me from Thyself an heir * Who should inherit me and inherit from the children of YacqOOb[63]”; “And SolaymAAn was DAAwOOd’s heir[64]”.
19- How can the Bakris particularize and restrict the generality and the generalization of the above aayaat, and make wild and far-fetched interpretations of its clear literal and the connotative meanings; all for the sake of one suspiciously isolated atypical narration?! And is the word of a single man, supported only by his daughter, adequate enough for all of this?! Especially when both of them are fallible, and subject to the enticement of Shaytaan, and susceptible to their evil-commanding selves, and impressible by bad friends, thus liable to lie and relate lies!! Aboo Bakr himself admitted to this by saying: “I have a Shaytaan who comes upon me…[65]”
20- Beside all of the above, a large part of these positions were in the hands of Faatimah during the life of Rasoolollaah; and even the Bakris admit that she had a trustee in Fadak who managed it on her behalf before the martyrdom of Rasoolollaah. And according to Islamic law, Aboo Bakr should have proven that these positions did not belong to her, and could not legally ask her for proof of ownership for something that was already in her hands. Moreover, under the Islamic law, the burden of proof always lies with the claimant, and the defendant only has to swear to Allaah against the claim. But was Aboo Bakr a Moslem to rule according to the Islamic law?!
When reading about the usurpation of Faatimah’s positions and her demand for them, a series of questions come to the Bakri mind; primarily: was Faatimah truthful in her claims? And if she was, why did Aboo Bakr and cOmar so stubbornly refuse to return her positions?!
A great Bakri scholar gives the answer:
((I [Ibn Abi al-Hadeed] asked cAli ibn al-Faariqi: Was Faatimah truthful [in her claims]?
He said: Yes.
I asked: So why did Aboo Bakr not give her Fadak when he knew she was telling the truth?
He smiled and gave me a very interesting answer: If today Aboo Bakr gave her Fadak relying only on her word, she would come back tomorrow and claim the khelaafah for her husband, and would overthrow Aboo Bakr from his position; and he will not be able to argue against her for the fact that he had already admitted to her truthfulness in any claim she makes without the need to look for proof or listen to witnesses[66].)).
Fadak, one of Faatimah’s legal positions, remains to this day a richly fertile land; and throughout these centuries it has always been under usurpation. The land that they said belonged to the Moslems, was taken into position by countless usurpers and their staunch supporters.
The fact is that Fadak’s owners could not have it, as it was said that it did not belong to any one person; and the Moslems could not claim it, as they were not close enough to the ruler. But some lucky ones earned it for their unquestionable loyalty to the usurpers, and some gained it through their deep animosity towards its legal owners.
However, and because of special circumstances, some rulers returned Fadak to some of the descendants of Faatimah, only to be usurped again within a short period of time.
And this give and take tells another revealing story from the book of the never ending Bakri contradictions.
Some of these exchanges are as follows:
* During his rule, cOmar returned Fadak to cAli and cAbbaas.
* During his rule, cOthmaan gave Fadak to Marwaan ibn al-Hakam.
* During his rule, Mocaawiyah gave one-third of Fadak to Marwaan ibn al-Hakam, and one-third to Amr ibn al-cOthmaan, and one-third to his son Yazeed.
* During his rule, Marwaan ibn al-Hakam gave Fadak to his son cAbdolcazeez. And he gave it to his son cOmar ibn cAbdolcazeez.
* During his rule, cOmar ibn cAbdolcazeez gave Fadak to some of Faatimah’s children.
* During his rule, Yazeed ibn cAbdolmalik usurped Fadak, and it went from hand to hand between the rulers of Bani Marwaan until the end of their rule.
* During his rule, Saffaah gave Fadak to cAbdollaah ibn al-Hasan.
* During his rule, Mansoor usurped Fadak.
* During his rule, Mahdi ibn al-Mansoor gave Fadak to some of Faatimah’s children.
* During his rule, Moosaa ibn al-Mahdi usurped Fadak, and it went from hand to hand between the rulers of Bani al-cAbbaas until Ma’moon’s rule.
* During his rule, Ma’moon gave Fadak to some of Faatimah’s children.
* During his rule, Motawakkil usurped Fadak, and it went from hand to hand between the rulers of Bani al-cAbbaas[67].
[1] Dar Maktab Faatimah = page 225.
[2] Faatimah min al-Mahd elaa al-Lahd / al-Qazweeni = page 354.
[3] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 17, aayah 26.
[4] al-Bedaayah wa al-Nehaayah / Ibn Kothayr = vol. 3, page 36. al-Dorr al-Manthoor / al-Soyooti = vol. 2, page 158; vol. 5, page 273. Kanz al-cOmmaal / al-Hendi = vol. 2, page 158; vol. 3, page 767. Majmac al-Zawaa’ed / al-Haythami = vol. 7, page 49. Maqtal al-Hosayn / al-Khaarazmi = vol. 1, page 70. Meezaan al-Ectedaal / al-Dhahabi = vol. 5, page 164. Mosnad / Abi Yaclaa = vol. 2, pages 334 and 534. Rooh al-Macaani / al-AAloosi = vol. 5, page 58. Shawaahid al-Tanzeel / al-Hasakaani = vol. 1, pages 438, 439, 441 and 442. Tafseer al-Qor’aan al-cAzeem / Ibn Kothayr = vol. 3, page 37.
[5] Behaar al-Anwaar / al-Majlesi = vol. 17, page 378.
[6] Faatimah min Qabl al-Meelaad elaa Bacd al-Estesh-haad / al-Haashimi = page 249.
[7] An Islamic form of endowment.
[8] Faatimah min Qabl al-Meelaad elaa Bacd al-Estesh-haad / al-Haashimi= page 249.
[9] An Islamic tax of 20% levied, among other things, on the annual superfluous income. Khoms is given to the Prophet or one of his kholafaa’ or one of the representatives of the final khaleefah—Maraajic[9], who then give it to its legal recipients accordingly. It could also be directly given to the legal recipients under the supervision or with the permission of the Maraaji`. Once Khoms is deducted from a certain amount, it will no longer be subject to Khoms in the coming years.
[10] Sayyedat Nesaa’ al-cAAlameen, and the twelve God-appointed successors of Rasoolollaah.
[11] Plural of Marjec: a highest religious authority.
[12] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 8, aayah 41.
[13] Lacnatollaah cAlayh, may Allaah distance him from His Blessings and Mercy.
[14] Kanz al-cOmmaal / al-Hendi = vol. 5, page 622. Mosnad Faatimah / al-Soyooti = page 15. al-Tabaqaat al-Kobraa / Ibn Sacd = vol. 2, page 315.
[15] Saheeh / al-Bokhaari = vol. 5, page 177.
[16] Jaamic al-Osool / Ibn al-Atheer = vol. 10, page 386. Saheeh / al-Bokhaari = vol. 4, page 96. Saheeh / Moslem = vol. 5, page 25.
[17] Mosnad / Ahmad = vol. 1, pages 4 and 10. al-Reyaad al-Nadirah / al-Tabari = vol. 2, page 124. Saheeh / al-Bokhaari = vol. 4, page 1481. Saheeh / Moslem = vol. 3, page 1381. Tarakat al-Nabi / al-Baghdaadi = vol. 1, page 82.
[18] Saheeh / al-Bokhaari = vol. 6, page 2474. al-Theqaat / Ibn Habbaan = vol. 2, page 164.
[19] Jaamic al-Osool / Ibn al-Atheer = vol. 4, page 482. Mosannaf / cAbdorrazzaaq = vol. 5, page 472. Mosnad / Abi cAwaanah = vol. 4, page 251. Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 6, page 46. al-Sonan al-Kobraa / al-Bayhaqi = vol. 6, page 300.
[20] Jaamic al-Osool / Ibn al-Atheer = vol. 10, page 388. Mosnad / Ahmad = vol. 1, page 13. Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 16, page 232. Taareekh al-Khamees / al-Deyaarbakri = vol. 2, page 173.
[21] Taareekh al-Madinah al-Monawwarah / Ibn Shobbah = vol. 1, page 198.
[22] al-Seerah al-Halabiyyah / al-Halabi = vol. 3, page 39.
[23] Fotooh al-Boldaan / al-Balaadheri = page 38.
[24] Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 16, page 214.
[25] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 27, aayah 16.
[26] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 19, aayah 6.
[27] Kanz al-cOmmaal / al-Hendi = vol. 5, page 625.
[28] Mosnad / al-Shaafeci = page 187. al-Sonan al-Kobraa / al-Bayhaqi = vol. 6, page 344.
[29] Mosnad Faatimah / al-Soyooti = page 17. Tahdheeb al-Tahdheeb / al-cAsqalaani = vol. 12, page 48.
[30] Kanz al-cOmmaal / al-Hendi = vol. 2, page 305. And a similar narration in: Lesaan al-Meezaan / al-cAsqalaani = vol. 6, page 148. Mosnad / Ahmad = vol. 1, page 320. Saheeh / Moslem = vol. 5, page 198. al-Sonan al-Kobraa / al-Bayhaqi = vol. 6, page 344. Sonan / al-Nasaa’i = page 177.
[31] cAlayhes Salaam, peace be upon him.
[32] Behaar al-Anwaar / al-Majlesi = vol. 29 , page 194.
[33] Behaar al-Anwaar / al-Majlesi = vol. 29, page 189.
[34] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 17, aayah 26.
[35] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 33, aayah 33.
[36] Behaar al-Anwaar / al-Majlesi = vol. 29, page 127.
[37] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 2, ayah 156.
[38] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 26, ayah 227.
[39] Faatimah min al-Mahd elaa al-Lahd / al-Qazweeni = page 346.
[40] Lacnatollaah cAlayh, may Allaah distance him from His Blessings and Mercy.
[41] Faatimah min Qabl al-Meelaad elaa Bacd al-Estesh-haad / al-Haashimi = page 252 from: Fotooh al-Boldaan / al-Balaadheri; Mocjam al-Boldaan / al-Hamawi; Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed; Taareekh al-Madinah / Ibn Shobbah. A shorter version of this hadeeth has also been recorded in: al-Seerah al-Halabiyyah / al-Halabi = vol. 3, page 362.
[42] Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 16, page 274.
[43] al-Ekhtesaas / al-Mofeed = page 183. And a similar narration in: Behaar al-Anwaar / al-Majlesi = vol. 29, page 157.
[44] You can read excerpts of her speech in the Prophet’s Mosque, in page 96 to 101 of this book.
[45] You can read her speech for the women of the Mohaajireen and the Ansaar in her home in page 92 to 95 of this book.
[46] cAlayhas Salaam, peace be upon her.
[47] An Islamic tax of different rates levied on a number of items beyond a certain limit.
[48] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 11, aayah 114.
[49] Dalaa’el al-Imaamah / al-Tabari = page 39.
[50] Commander of the Faithful; a title given exclusively to Imaam cAli by Allaah.
[51] An Arabic proverb. Omm Tahaal was a known Arab prostitute in the pre-Islamic era who became an example of prostitution.
[52] Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 16, page 214.
[53] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 26, aayah 214.
[54] Dalaa’el al-Imaamah / al-Tabari = page 39.
[55] cAlayhes Salaam, peace be upon him.
[56] Sayyedat Nesaa’ al-cAAlameen, and the twelve God-appointed successors of Rasoolollaah.
[57] Charity, or helping those in need of anything, financial or otherwise; even giving directions can be a sadaqah, even removing rubbish, etc. from walkways can be a sadaqah. Sadaqah has different forms and different effects. Plural sadaqaat.
[58] Plural of sadaqah.
[59] Plural of hadeeth: a narration from one of the Fourteen Macsoomeen.
[60] The state of immunity from committing sins, making mistakes, or any act of forgetfulness, etc. whilst the choice to commit sin remains open to the individual. Prophets and their awseyaa’ have this attribute and are called macsoom.
[61] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 4, aayah 7.
[62] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 4, aayah 11.
[63] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 19, aayaat 5 and 6.
[64] Holy Qor’aan = soorah 27, aayah 16.
[65] See page 185 of this book
[66] Sharh Nahj al-Balaaghah / Ibn Abi al-Hadeed = vol. 16, page 284.
[67] Ehraaq Bayt al-Zahraa’ / al-Sajjaad = page 136 from many Bakri references including Saheeh / al-Bokhaari and Saheeh / Moslem.