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Lady Fatimah (AS) protests against Abu Bakr's Actions
Fatimah (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: From prevalent favors which He created, And
abundant benefactions which He offered and perfect grants which He
presented; (such benefactions) that their number is much too plentiful
to compute; 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 no God but
Allah Who is One with out partner, a statement which sincere devotion
is made to be its interpretation; hearts guarantee its con- tinuation,
and dominated in the minds is its sensibility. He Who can not be
perceived with vision; neither be described with tongues; nor can
imagination surround His state.
He originated things but not from anything that existed be- fore them,
and created them with- out examples to follow. Rather, He created them
with His might and dispersed them according to His will; not for a
need did He create them; nor for a benefit for Him) did He shape them,
But to establish His wisdom, Bring attention to His obedi- ence,
manifest His might, lead His creatures to humbly vene- rate Hun, and
to exalt His decrees. He then made the reward for His obedience, And
punishment for his dis- obedience, 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 the place of every event.
Allah has sent him (Muhammad) (p.b.u.h) as perfection for His
commands, a resolution to accomplish His rode, 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
from their hearts, and cleared the clouds from their insights He
revealed guidance among the people; So he delivered them from being
led astray, led them 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 pre- ference.
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.
Fatimah 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 shining beam; Its insights
are indis- putable; Its secrets are revealed; Its indications are
manifest; and its fol- lowers are blessed by it. (The Quran) leads its
adherents to good will; 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 poly- theism
He made: Prayer- An exaltation for you from conceit. Alms- A
purification for the soul and a (cause of) growth in subsistence.
Fasting-An implantation 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 Bil
Maruf)- Public welfare. Kindness to the parents- A safeguard from
wrath. Maintaining close relations with one's kin- A cause for a
longer life and multiplying the number of descend- ants. 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 others' 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 that which He has commanded you to do
and that which He has forbidden, for surely those truly fear among His
servants, who have knowledge.
Lady Fatimah Zahra (AS) then added:
O People ! Be informed that I am Fatimah, 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 any of
your women; the brother 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 heroes, until their group fled and
turned their backs. So night revealed its dawn; righteousness
uncovered its genuineness; the voice of the religious authority spoke
out loud; the evil discords were silenced; The crown of hypo- crisy
was diminished; the tightening of infidelity and desertion were
untied, 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 Fatimah (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.
He is (Ali (AS) ) diligent in Allah's affair, near to the Messenger of
Allah, A master among Allah 's worshippers, 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 comfort-
able lives, waiting for us to meet disasters, awaiting the spread of
news, you fell back during every baffle, 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 Devil stuck his head from its place of hiding and
called upon you he found you respon- sive 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
wide, 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! What an idea!
What a falsehood! For Allah's Book is still amongst you its affairs
are apparent; its rules are manifest; its signs 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 the wrongdoers! And if anyone desires a religion other
than Islam (submission to Allah), it never will it be accepted from
him; And in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have
lost. Surely you have not waited until its stampede seized, and it
became obedient. You then started arousing its flames, instigating its
coal, compiling with the call of the misled devil, quenching the light
of the manifest reli- gion, and extinguished the light of the sincere
Prophet. You concealed sips on froth and proceeded towards his (the
Prophet) kin and children in swamps and forests (meaning you plot
against them in deceitful ways), but we are patient with you as if we
are being notched with knives and stung by spearheads in our abdomens,
Yet-now you claim- that there is not inheritance for us! What! Do they
then seek after a judgment of (the Days of) ignorance ? But how, for a
people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah?
Don't you know? Yes, indeed it is obvious to you that I am his
daughter. O Muslims! Will my inheritance be usurped? O son of Abu
Quhafa! Where is it in the Book of Allah that you inherit your father
and I do not inherit mine? Surely you have come up with an
unprecedented thing. Do you intentionally abandon the Book of Allah
and cast it behind your back? Do you not read where it says: And
Sulaiman inherited Dawood ? And when it narrates the story of Zakariya
and says: 'So give me an heir as from thyself (One that) will inherit
ones and inherit the posterity of Yaqoob'.
And; 'But kindred by hood have prior rights against each other in the
Book of Allah'
And: 'Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children's
(inheritance) to the male, a portion equal to that of two females'
And: '...If he leaves any goods, that he makes a bequest to parents
and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the
pious ones.'
You claim that I have no share! And that I do not inherit my father!
What! Did Allah reveal a (Quranic) verse regarding you from which He
excluded my father? Or do you say:
'These (Fatimah and her father) are the people of two faiths, they do
not inherit each other? !' Are we not, me and my father, a people
adhering to one faith? Or is it that you have more knowledge about the
specifi- cations and generalizations of the Quran than my father and
my cousin (Imam Ali) ? So, here you are! Take it! (Ready with) its
nose rope and saddled! But if shall encounter you on the Day of
Gathering, (thus) what a wonder- ful judge is Allah, a claimant is
Muhammad, and a day is the Day of Rising.
At the time of the Hour shall the wrongdoers lose; and it shall not
benefit you to regret (your actions) then! For every Message, there is
a time limit; and soon shall ye know who will be inflicted with
torture that will humiliate him, and who will be confronted by an
everlasting punishment.
Fatimah then turned towards the Ansars and said:
O you people of intellect! The strong supporters of the nation! And
those who embraced Islam; What is this short-coming in defending my
right? And what is this slumber (while you see) injustice (being done
toward me)? Did not the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) my father, used
to say:
'A man is upheld (remembered) by his children ?!' O how quick have you
violated (his orders)! How soon have you plotted against us? But you
still are capable (of helping me in) my attempt, and powerful (to help
me) in that which I request and (in) my pursuit (of it).
Or do you say: "Muhammad (p.b.u.h) has perished;" Surely this is a
great calamity; Its damage is excessive its injury is great, Its wound
(is much too deep) to healed The Earth became darkened with his
departure; the stars eclipsed for his calamity; hopes were seized;
mountains submitted; sanctity was violated, and holiness was
encroached upon after his death. Therefore, this, by Allah, is the
great affliction, and the grand calamity; there is not an affliction-
which is the like of it; nor will there be a sudden misfortune (as
surprising as this).
The Book of Allah-excellent in praising him-announced in the
courtyards (of your houses) in the place where you spend your evenings
and mornings; A call, A cry, A recitation, and (verses) in order: It
had previously came upon His (Allah's) Prophets and Messengers, (for
it is) A decree final, and a pre- destination fulfilled: 'Muhammad is
not but an Apostle: Many were the apostles that passed away before
him. If he died or was slain, will ye then turn back on your heels If
any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to
Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who
(serve Him) with gratitude.'
O you people of reflection; will I be usurped the inheritance of my
father while you hear and see me?! (And while) You are sitting and
gathered around me? You hear my call, and are included in the (news of
the) affair? (But) You are numerous and well equipped! (You have) the
means and the power, and the weapons and the shields. Yet, the call
reaches you but you do not answer; the cry comes to you but you do not
come to help? (This) While you are characterized by struggle, known
for goodness and welfare, the selected group (which was chosen), and
the best ones chosen by the Messenger (p.b.u.h) for us, Ahlul-Bayt.
You fought the Arabs, bore with pain and exhaustion, struggled against
the nations, and resisted their heroes. We were still, so were you in
ordering you and you in obeying us. So that Islam became triumphant,
the accomplishment of the days came near, the fort of polytheism was
subjected, the outburst of fabrication subsided, the flames of
infidelity calmed down, and the system of religion was well-ordered.
Thus, (why have you) become con- fused after clearness? Conceal
matters after announcing them ? Turned on your heels after daring?
Associated (others with Allah) after believing? Will you not fight
people who violated their oaths? Plotted to expel the Apostle and
became aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear
them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if you
believe! Nevertheless, I see that you are inclined to easy living;
dismissed he who is more worthy of guardianship (Ali (AS) ) You
secluded yourselves with meekness and dismissed that which you
accepted. Yet, if you show ingratitude, ye and all on earth together,
yet, Allah free of an wants, worthy of appraise. Surely I have said
all that I have said with full knowledge that you intent to forsake
me, and knowing the betrayal which your hearts sensed. But, it is the
state of soul, the effusion of fury, the dissemination of (what is)
the chest and the presentation of the proof Hence, Here it is! Bag it
(leadership and) put it on the back of an ill she-camel, which has a
thin hump, with ever lasting grace, marked with the wrath of Allah,
and the blame of ever (which leads to) the Fire of (the wrath of)
Allah kindled (to a blaze), that which doth mount (right) to the
hearts; For, Allah witnesses what you do, and soon will the unjust
assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take !! And I am
the daughter of a Warner (the Prophet p.b.u.h.) to you against a
severe punishment. So, act and so will we, and wait, and we shall
wait. [The end of Lady Fatimah's speech.]
It appears from recorded historical events, that Lady Fatimah (AS) was
successful at the beginning in persuading Abu Bakr to hand back Fadak to
her; listen to part of a speech he (according to some historians) delivered
after hearing Fatimah's speech. He said:
' O daughter of the Messenger of Allah. . . Surely the Prophet is your
father, not anyone else's, the brother of your husband, not any other
man's; he surely preferred him over all his friends and (Ali)
supported him in every important matter, no one loves you save the
lucky and no one hates you save tile wretched. You are the blessed
progeny of Allah's Messenger, the chosen ones, our guides to goodness,
our path to Paradise, and you-the best of women-and the daughter of
the best of prophets, truthful is your sayings, excelling in reason.
You shall not be driven back from your right...But I surely heard your
father saying: ' We the group of prophets do not inherit, nor are we
inherited. ' Yet, this is my situation and properly, it is yours (if
you wish); it shall not be concealed from you, nor will it be stored
away from you. You are the Mistress of your father's nation, and the
blessed tree of your descendants. Your property shall not be usurped
against your will, nor can your name be defamed Your judgment shall be
executed in all that which I possess. This, do you think that I
violate your father's (will) ? '
Fatimah then refuted Abu Bakr's claim that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) had stated
that prophets can not be inherited, and said:
Glory be to Allah ! Surely Allah's Messenger (p.b.u.h) did not abandon
Allah's Book nor did he violate His commands. Rather, he followed its
decrees and adhered to its chapters. So do you unite with treachery
justifying your fabrications? Indeed this-after his departure-is
similar to the disasters which were plotted against him during his
lifetime. But behold ! This is Allah's Book, a just judge and a
decisive speaker, saying One that will (truly) inherit Me, and inherit
the posterity of Yaqub, and Sulaiman inherited Dawood.
Thus, He (Glory be to Him) made clear that which He made share of all
heirs, decreed from the amounts of inheritance, allowed for males and
females, and eradicated all doubts and ambiguities (pertaining to this
issue which existed with the) by gones.
Nay! But your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, but
(for me) patience is most fitting against that which ye assert; it is
Allah (alone) whose help can be sought.
It is apparent that Abu Bakr chanced the mode with which he addressed Lady
Fatimah (AS) after delivering her speech. Listen to his following speech;
which is his reply to Fatimah's speech. Abu Bakr said:
Surely Allah and His Apostle are truthful, and so has as (the
Prophet's) daughter told the truth. Surely you are the source of
wisdom, the element of faith, and the sole authority. May Allah not
refute your righteous argument, nor invalidate your decisive speech
But these are the Muslims between us-who have entrusted me with
leadership and it was according to their satisfaction that I received
what I have. I am not being arrogant, autocratic, or selfish, and
they are my witnesses.
Upon hearing Abu Bakr speak of the people's support for him, Lady Fatimah
Zahra (AS) turned towards them and said:
O people, who rush towards uttering falsehood and are indifferent to
disgraceful and losing actions !
Do you not earnestly seek to reflect upon the Quran, or are your
hearts isolated with locks? But on your hearts is the stain of the
evil which you committed; it has seized your hearing and your sight,
evil is that which you justified, cursed is that which you reckoned,
and wicked is what you have taken for an exchange! You shall, by
Allah, find bearing it (to be a great) burden, and its consequence
disastrous. (That is) on the day when the cover is removed and appears
to you what is behind it of wrath. When you will be confronted by
Allah with that which you could never have expected, there will
perish, there and then, those who stood on falsehoods.
Although parts of Abu Bakr's speeches can not be verified with authentic
evidence, and despite the fact that we have already mentioned part of the
actual speech which Abu Bakr delivered after Lady Fatimah's (AS) arguments,
it appears certain that Abu Bakr was finally persuaded to submit Fadak to
her.
Nevertheless, when Fatimah (AS) was leaving Abu Bakr's house, Umar
suddenly appeared and exclaimed :
What is that you hold in your hand ?
Abu Bakr replied :
' A decree I have written for Fatimah (AS) in which I assigned
Fadak and her father's inheritance to her.
Umar then said :
With what will you spend on the Muslims if the Arabs decide to
fight you.
Umar then seized the decree and tore it up !!!
Sunni references:
- Seerah al Halabiyah, vol 3 p 391 -> 400
- Fadak in History, Murtaza Muttaheri, p 85
- Fatimah the Gracious, Abu Muhammad Ordoni, 217 -> 240
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