Fadak in Islam (2)

  Fadak is an Arabic   word and it was a garden or farmland near Khaybar, a tract of land in northern Arabia which is now part of Saudi Arabia. It is located approximately 100km away from Medina. Fadak was known for its water-wells, dates, and handicrafts. When the Muslims defeated the people of Khaybar at the Battle of khaybar; the oasis of Fadak was part of the booty given to the Prophet Muhammad. But some people believe that the Jews relinquish Fadak to the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) in other ward off battle between them and the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) which means it was obtain through war. Much before the death of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he bequeathed it to his daughter, Fatimah. This implies that Fadak has been in the possession of Fatimah before the death of his father.

Even so, it became the object of dispute between Fatimah and the caliph Abu-Bakr.

Upon the death of Muhammad, his daughter Fatimah declared her claim to inherit Fadak as the estate of her father. The claim was rejected by the ruling caliph, Abu-Bakr, on the grounds that Fadak was public property and arguing that the Prophet had no heirs.

Is it true that the holy Prophet is not having heir?

Why the holy Prophet is exceptional hence other Prophets have heir?

When the holy Qur’an talk of heir and writing of Will, was it with the exception of the Prophet?

Sources report that Imam Ali (a.s.) together with Umm Ayman testified to the fact that Prophet Muhammad granted Fadak to Fatimah Zahra, when Abu-Bakr requested Fatimah to summon witnesses for her claim. But Abu-Bakr rejected the testimony of Imam Ali (a.s.) and that of Umm Ayman.

If at all the Prophet is not having heir, why is he requesting for witness? And why did he reject the attestation of the witness presented by Fatimah Zahra?

 Various primary sources contend that Fadak was given by Prophet Muhammad to Fatima, drawing on the Qur'an as evidence. These include narrations of Ibn Abbas who argued that when the Qur'anic verse on giving rights to kindred was revealed, Prophet Muhammad called to his daughter and gifted the land of Fadak to her.

Various scholars commenting on the Qur'an write that the Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad and commanded him to give the appropriate rights to the “Dhul Qurba” (near kin). When asked by Prophet Muhammad, who the "Dhul Qurba" referred to? Gabriel replied "Fatima" and that by "rights" was meant "Fadak", upon which Muhammad called Fatima and presented Fadak to her.

Nevertheless that Fatimah Zahra never has any material attachment to Fadak but it has become her personal property which no one must temper with and also the Will of the holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) must be respect.

Rejecting the will of the Prophet likewise the testimony of Imam Ali and Umm Ayman not an act of negligence and arrogance to the Prophet and these two holy people?

Although the taken of Fadak from Fatimah Zahra was the continuation of the conspiracy and the occurrence of thaqifah bani sa’ad and according to Umar bn Khatab Fadak must not be given to Fatimah Zahra (a.s.) and the testimony of her witnesses must also not be accepted because the outcome of that is accepting her claim and that of Imam Ali (a.s.) to the caliphate. That is why he strongly against Abu-Bakr when he wanted to accept the claim of Fatimah Zahra.

To be continue……………