Fadak: Truth Vs Falsehood

Shia try to claim that Fadak was snatched by Abu Bakr[ra] from Fatima[ra] & try to quote hadiths from Bukhari & Muslim to bach-up this false claim [like anger of fatima[ra] & then Ali[ra] buried her secrately]!

But they skip many hadiths which is also on same issue but when: all narrations & view of ahul-sunnah scholars considered as a whole, then story leans to opposite  direction.

Let me first give u some brief theory:

The number of hadith which mention about Hazrat Fatima[ra] demand for share of the Fadak land are 15 [or may be more] in number. There are five hadith in Sahih Bukhari, three hadith in Sahih Muslim, two hadith in Ibn Tirmidhi, four hadith in Sunan Abi Dawood, and one hadith in Sunan Nisai.

Let me quote some of them: [& i will highlight the important part related to this topic.]

1. Bukhari :: Book 53 :: Volume 4 :: Hadith 325

Narrated ‘Aisha: (mother of the believers) After the death of Allah ‘s Apostle Fatima the daughter of Allah’s Apostle asked Abu Bakr As-Siddiq to give her, her share of inheritance from what Allah’s Apostle had left of the Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting) which Allah had given him. Abu Bakr said to her, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Our property will not be inherited, whatever we (i.e. prophets) leave is Sadaqa (to be used for charity).” Fatima, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle got angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude till she died. Fatima remained alive for six months after the death of Allah’s Apostle.

She used to ask Abu Bakr for her share from the property of Allah’s Apostle which he left at Khaibar, and Fadak, and his property at Medina (devoted for charity). Abu Bakr refused to give her that property and said, “I will not leave anything Allah’s Apostle used to do, because I am afraid that if I left something from the Prophet’s tradition, then I would go astray.” (Later on) Umar gave the Prophet’s property (of Sadaqa) at Medina to ‘Ali and ‘Abbas, but he withheld the properties of Khaibar and Fadak in his custody and said, “These two properties are the Sadaqa which Allah’s Apostle used to use for his expenditures and urgent needs. Now their management is to be entrusted to the ruler.” (Az-Zuhrl said, “They have been managed in this way till today.”)

2. Muslim :: Book 19 : Hadith 4354

It has been narrated by ‘Urwa b Zubair on the authority of ‘A’isha, wife of the Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him), that Fatima, daughter of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), requested Abu Bakr, after the death of the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him), that he should set apart her share from what the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had left from the properties that God had bestowed upon him. Abu Bakr said to her: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be npon him) said:” We do not have any heirs; what we leave behind is Sadaqa (charity).” The narrator said: She (Fatima) lived six months after the death of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and she used to demand from Abu Bakr her share from the legacy of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) from Khaibar, Fadak and his charitable endowments at Medina. Abu Bakr refused to give her this, and said: I am not going to give up doing anything which the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to do. I am afraid that it I go against his instructions in any matter I shall deviate from the right course. So far as the charitable endowments at Medina were concerned, ‘Umar handed them over to ‘All and Abbas, but ‘Ali got the better of him (and kept the property under his exclusive possession). And as far as Khaibar and Fadak were concerned ‘Umar kept them with him, and said: These are the endowments of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (to the Umma). Their income was spent on the discharge of the responsibilities that devolved upon him on the emergencies he had to meet. And their management was to be in the hands of one who managed the affairs (of the Islamic State). The narrator said: They have been managed as such up to this day.

3. Bukhari :: Book 57 :: Volume 5 :: Hadith 60

Narrated ‘Aisha: Fatima sent somebody to Abu Bakr asking him to give her her inheritance from the Prophet from what Allah had given to His Apostle through Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting). She asked for the Sadaqa (i.e. wealth assigned for charitable purposes) of the Prophet at Medina, and Fadak, and what remained of the Khumus (i.e., one-fifth) of the Khaibar booty. Abu Bakr said, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘We (Prophets), our property is not inherited, and whatever we leave is Sadaqa, but Muhammad’s Family can eat from this property, i.e. Allah’s property, but they have no right to take more than the food they need.’ By Allah! I will not bring any change in dealing with the Sadaqa of the Prophet (and will keep them) as they used to be observed in his (i.e. the Prophet’s) life-time, and I will dispose with it as Allah’s Apostle used to do,” Then ‘Ali said, “I testify that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Apostle,” and added, “O Abu Bakr! We acknowledge your superiority.” Then he (i.e. ‘Ali) mentioned their own relationship to Allah’s Apostle and their right. Abu Bakr then spoke saying, “By Allah in Whose Hands my life is. I love to do good to the relatives of Allah’s Apostle rather than to my own relatives” Abu Bark added: Look at Muhammad through his family (i.e. if you are no good to his family you are not good to him).

4. Bukhari :: Book 59 :: Volume 5 :: Hadith 368

Narrated ‘Aisha: Fatima and Al’Abbas came to Abu Bakr, claiming their inheritance of the Prophet’s land of Fadak and his share from Khaibar. Abu Bakr said, “I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Our property is not inherited, and whatever we leave is to be given in charity. But the family of Muhammad can take their sustenance from this property.’ By Allah, I would love to do good to the Kith and kin of Allah’s Apostle rather than to my own Kith and kin.”

5. Bukhari :: Book 80 :: Volume 8 :: Hadith 718

Narrated ‘Aisha: Fatima and Al ‘Abbas came to Abu Bakr, seeking their share from the property of Allah’s Apostle and at that time, they were asking for their land at Fadak and their share from Khaibar. Abu Bakr said to them, ” I have heard from Allah’s Apostle saying, ‘Our property cannot be inherited, and whatever we leave is to be spent in charity, but the family of Muhammad may take their provisions from this property.” Abu Bakr added, “By Allah, I will not leave the procedure I saw Allah’s Apostle following during his lifetime concerning this property.” Therefore Fatima left Abu Bakr and did not speak to him till she died.

6. Dawud :: Book 19 : Hadith 2963

Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: Fatimah was demanding (the property of) sadaqah of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) at Medina and Fadak, and what remained from the fifth of Khaybar. Aisha quoted AbuBakr as saying: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: We are not inherited; whatever we leave is sadaqah. The family of Muhammad will eat from this property, that is, from the property of Allah. They will not take more then their sustenance.

7. Tirmidhi: 1614

جَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَقَالَتْ مَنْ يَرِثُكَ قَالَ أَهْلِي وَوَلَدِي قَالَتْ فَمَا لِي لَا أَرِثُ أَبِي
فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ سمَِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ لَا نُورَثُ وَلَكِنِّي أَعُولُ مَنْ
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَعُولُهُ وَأُنْفِقُ عَلَى مَنْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ
عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِ

Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah (ra) reported that Sayyidiah Fatimah (ra) came to Sayyidina Abu Bakr (ra) and asked, “Who will inherit you?” He said, “My wife and my children.”
She asked, “Then, what is with me that I do not inherit my father?” So, Abu Bakr (SAW) said, “I had heard Allah’s Messenger (SAW) say : We are not inherited. But, I will support whom Allah’s Messenger.i used to support and I will provide whom he used to provide.”

hadith is sahih according to sheikh albani.

8. Tirmidhi Hadith 1615:
Both of them reported from Muhammad ibn Umar, from Abu Salamah who from Abu Hurayrah [& in Ahmed 79]

& many more with almost same text with the addition that Ali[ra] buried Fatima[ra] secretly.

Now some points from SUNNI HADITH SCIENCE:

There is one terminology called Mudraj in Hadith sciences.

The word “anger” is only mentioned in the Hadith transmitted from Hazrat Aisha[ra]. It is not mentioned in the Hadith narrated from other companions like Hazrat Abu Huraira, Hazrat Um Hani, etc.

Further the hadith narrated from Hazrat Aisha is of two types, one type mentions the word “anger” while the other type does not mention “anger”. The hadith which mention the word “anger” are all narrated by Ibn Shahab Zehri [well known for his idraaj of statements].

Al-Zuhri make idraaj of statements into hadiths from time to time, yet, he does it mainly to explain it.
You can find many examples in a book by Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi that gives examples of Mudraj statements.
Here is the most famous one that comes to mind.

أول ما بدئ بالرسول الوحي قالت: كان يتحنث في غار حراء والتحنث التعبد الليالي ذوات العدد
الراوي: عائشة المحدث: ابن عثيمين – المصدر: شرح النزهة لابن عثيمين – الصفحة أو الرقم: 208
خلاصة حكم المحدث: عبارة (والتحنث: التعبد) مدرجة من كلام الزهري تفسيرا للحديث

This means that after Hazrat Abu Bakr RA had mentioned the reason for not giving Hazrat Fatima RA the share in Fadak, the latter had become silent after being satisfied. The narrator equated “silence” to “anger” and added the words to the hadith [to explain it]. This is also known as Mudraj in Hadith sciences.

“An addition by a reporter to the text of the saying being narrated is termed mudraj (interpolated).

For example, al-Khatib relates via Abu Qattan and Shababah — Shu’bah — Muhammad b. Ziyad — Abu Hurairah — The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who said, “Perform the ablution fully; woe to the heels from the Fire!”
Al-Khatib then remarks, “The statement, ‘Perform the ablution fully’ is made by Abu Hurairah, while the statement afterwards, ‘Woe to the heels from the Fire!’, is that of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The distinction between the two is understood from the narration of al- Bukhari, who transmits the same hadith and quotes Abu Hurairah as saying, “Complete the ablution, for Abu ‘l-Qasim (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: ‘Woe to the heels from the Fire!’.”

[i.e. why we want each & every hadith on fadak issue to know the truth. & our HADITH SCIENCE is not joke as that of SHIA’s.]

Such an addition may be found in the beginning, in the middle, or at the end, often in explanation of a term used. Idraj (interpolation) is mostly found in the text, although a few examples show that such additions are found in the isnad as well, where the reporter grafts a part of one isnad into another.

A reporter found to be in the habit of intentional idraj is generally unacceptable and considered a liar. However, the traditionists are more lenient towards those reporters who may do so forgetfully or in order to explain a difficult word”.

http://www.sunnahonline.com/ilm/sunnah/0008_page3.htm#1

Then why Ali[ra] buried her secretly:

THIS DOESNOT MEAN ANYTHING BCOZ HERE IS THE SAME HADITH:

Bukhari 2.339: Narrated Ibn `Abbas. A person died and Allah’s Apostle used to visit him. He died at night and (the people) buried him at night. In the morning they informed the Prophet (about his death). He said, “What prevented you from informing me?” They replied, “It was night and it was a dark night and so we disliked to trouble you.” The Prophet went to his grave and offered the (funeral) prayer.

Note: This could have been the very same reason for not troubling hz abu bakar(ra) but when later informed he offered the funeral prayer again.

The Shiite asked why was Fatima[ra] buried at night, I want to ask Why was the prophet PBUH buried at night? and why was Aisha[ra]buried at night and many others? You think it’s something strange that people be buried at night? think again.
Secondly women ask specifically to be buried at night because they don’t want anyone to see their bodies even in death and this is out of shyness.

Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah says in his Minaaj al Sunnah:

وكذلك ما ذكره من إيصائها أن تُدفن ليلا ولا يصلي عليها أحد منهم لا يحكيه عن فاطمة ويحتج به إلا رجل جاهل يطرق على فاطمة ما لا يليق بها

he was saying was that Fatimah didn’t request to not be prayed over by Abu Bakr and others.

& here are two reliable sound hadiths & sahih hadith which says Abu Bakr [ra] lead the funeral prayer of fatima [ra] & they both talked to each other:

a. صلى أبو بكر رضي الله عنه على فاطمة بنت رسول الله فكبر عليها أربعًا

Hammad narrate from Ibrahim Nakhi that Hz. Abu Bakr[ra] lead salah-e-Janaza of Bibi Fatima Bint Muhammad[ra] with four Takbeers [ Tabqaat(Ibn Saad) Vol 8, Page 16]

b. When Hz. Fatima[ra] died Hz. Abu Bakr[ra] and Hz. Umar[ra] came, Hz. Abu Bakr[ra] asked Hz. Ali[ra] to lead prayer, Hz.Ali[ra] declined and said in presence of Khalifa of RasoolAllah[saw] how can I. [ Ali Mutaqi Al Nahdi author of Kanzal Amaal Vol 6 page 318, narrated through Khatib from Baqir]

c. ماتت فاطمة بين المغرب والعشاء فحضرها أبو بكر وعمر وعثمان والزبير وعبد الرحمن بن عوف رضي الله عنهم، فلما وضعت ليصلي عليها، قال على: تقدم يا أبا بكر، قال أبو بكر رضي الله عنه: وأنت يا أبا الحسن؟ قال: نعم، فوالله لا يصلي عليها غيرك، فصلى عليها أبو بكر رضي الله عنه ودفنت ليلاً

Ali bin al Husein narrated: Hz. Fatima[ra] died betwen Maghrib and Isha so Hz. Abu Bakr[ra] and Hz. Umar[ra] And Uthman and Zubair and AbdulRahman bin Awf (raa) came, Hz. Ali said: Come forth ya Abu Bakr, then Abu Bakr[ra] asked Hz. Ali[ra]: What about you ya Abu al Hassan? Hz.Ali[ra] declined saying: yes by Allah no one but you prays on her, So Abu Bakr did and she was buried at night.
source: Mukhtasar Kitab al muwafaqah, has weakness in the Isnad and what is Sahih is that Ali prayed on her in Sahih Muslim #1759.

d. عن الشعبي أنه قال: (لما مرضت فاطمة أتاها أبو بكر الصديق فاستأذن عليها، فقال علي: يافاطمة هذا أبو بكر يستأذن عليك؟ فقالت: أتحب أن آذن له؟ قال: نعم، فأذنت له فدخل عليها يترضاها، فقال: والله ما تركت الدار والمال، والأهل والعشيرة، إلا إبتغاء مرضاة الله، ومرضاة رسوله، ومرضاتكم أهل البيت، ثم ترضاها حتى رضيت)- السنن الكبرى للبيهقي 6/301-

“When Fatima became ill, Abu Bakr came to her and asked for permission to enter. So Ali said, ‘O Fatima, this is Abu Bakr asking for permission to enter.’ She answerd, ‘Do you want me to give him permission?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ So she allowed him (to enter), and he came in seeking her pleasure, so he told her: ‘By Allah, I only left my home and property and my family seeking the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger and you, O Ahlel Bayt.’ So he talked to her until she was pleased with him.” (Sunan Al-Bayhaqi, vol 6, page 301)

This Hadith is narrated by Bayhaqi in al Sunan al Kubra (6:300-301) and Dala’il al-Nubuwwa (7:273-281) who said: “It is narrated with a good (hasan) chain.” Muhibb al Din al-Tabari cited it in al Riyad Al Nadira (2:96-97 #534) and Dhahabi in the Siyar (Ibid).

لما مرضت فاطمة أتاها أبو بكر الصديق فاستأذن عليها فقال علي يا فاطمة هذا أبو بكر يستأذن عليك فقالت أتحب أن آذن له قال نعم فأذنت له فدخل عليها يترضاها فقال والله ما تركت الدار والمال والأهل والعشيرة إلا ابتغاء مرضاة الله ومرضاة رسوله ومرضاتكم أهل البيت ثم ترضاها حتى رضيت

Al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Kathir, and Ibn Hajar all authenticate this hadith & Ibn Kathir states it as Sahih in his Al Bidayah and Ibn Hajar in his Fath Al Bari.

وقال ابن حجر: «وهو وإن كان مرسلاً فاسناده إلى الشعبي صحيح»- فتح الباري 6/202
Ibn hajar says : the mursal of Shuba [الشعبي] is sahih

So the hadith is sahih as a whole.

More points to ponder: For the sake of jahil layman shia’s: Lets suppose she was angry with Abu Bakr[ra].

But ahle-sunnah have sahih hadith that fatima[ra] talked to Abu Bakr[ra] & also pleased with him.

Now the question arises: she did not talk to Abu Bakr[ra] as stated in Bukhari by Aisha[ra], so it is the clear contradiction?

Answer: No, it is not a contradiction. It is said in Bukhari that she did not talk till she died. This means she did not talk about FADAK till she died because she was satisfied by the answer given by Abu Bakr[ra] afterwards.

Now still shia try to show that: No, she was angry, & whosoever angered her, angered the prophet & who soever angered prophet angered ALLAH.

Answer: We ahul-sunnah also have sahih hadith that Ali[ra] angered her. Did u saw any ahul-sunnah try to say on that issue that: Ali[ra] angered Fatima[ra] therefore Ali[ra] angered ALLAH? [nauzubillah]

But this slander is only raised by shia’s.

In any case if bil-Fardh Sayyidah Fatimah Radhi Allahu ‘anha did not stop being angry with Sayyidina Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu `anhu, this would reflect badly on Sayyidah Fatimah not on Abu Bakr. Rasoolullah Sallallahu `alyhi wa Sallam was angry with people who quarreled with Abu Bakr, even when it was Abu Bakr who was more at fault!

It is narrated in Sahih Bukhari, kitab ut-Tafseer:

سمعت ابا الدرداء يقول كانت بين ابي بكر وعمر محاورة فاغضب ابو بكر عمر فانصرف عنه عمر مغضبا فاتبعه ابو بكر يساله ان يستغفر له فلم يفعل حتى اغلق بابه في وجهه فاقبل ابو بكر الى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال ابو الدرداء ونحن عندهفقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم اما صاحبكم هذا فقد غامر قال وندم عمر على ما كان منه فاقبل حتى سلم وجلس الى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وقص على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الخبر قال ابو الدرداء وغضب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وجعل ابو بكر يقول والله يا رسول الله لانا كنت اظلمفقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم هل انتم تاركون لي صاحبي هل انتم تاركون لي صاحبي اني قلت يا ايها الناس اني رسول الله اليكم جميعا فقلتم كذبت وقال ابو بكر صدقت

صحيح البخاري – کتاب التفسير

There was a dispute between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, and Abu Bakr made Umar angry. So ‘Umar left angrily. Abu Bakr followed him, requesting him to ask forgiveness (of Allah) for him, but ‘Umar refused to do so and closed his door in Abu Bakr’s face. So Abu Bakr went to Allah’s Apostle while we were with him. Allah’s Apostle said, “This friend of yours must have quarrelled (with somebody).” In the meantime ‘Umar repented and felt sorry for what he had done, so he came, greeted (those who were present) and sat with the Prophet and related the story to him. Allah’s Apostle became angry and Abu Bakr started saying, “O Allah’s Apostle! By Allah, I was more at fault (than Umar).” Allah’s Apostle said, “Will you people not leave, for my sake, my companion? When I said, ‘O people I am sent to you all as the Apostle of Allah,’ you said, ‘You tell a lie.’ while Abu Bakr said, ‘You have spoken the truth .”

Note: This was a case where Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu `anhu was more at fault by his own admission and Rasoolullah Sallallahu `alyhi wa Sallam was still angry with the one who quarreled with him so what of a matter in which Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq Radhi Allahu `anhu was ruling correctly, according to the explicit Sunnah and the other person had a wrong opinion?

So certainly Sayyidah Fatimah Radhi Allahu `anhu cleared up the matter between her and Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu `anhu, as befits her high status. And most certainly she did not remain angry with her father’s closest friend and companion in this world, merely for the sake of worldly land and money.

I am really amused at my Shia brothers. The Prophet said, “Whoever angers Fatima angers me.” I am not rejecting this Hadith. Let us investigate the scopes of the hadith and the respective logical corollaries.

Scope 1. All-superceding injunction:

The scope of this hadith is unconditional and it supersedes other injunctions of Islam if they contradict this hadith. It is not applicable only in house-hold affairs or social affairs, it is also applicable in Political and Judicial affaires of the State. In this case some questions arise.

A. Who then belongs the supreme Authority: the Caliph (Abu Bakr) or Fatima, the Imam (Ali) or Fatima?

All individual Muslims are in same position in front of the Court of Justice except Fatima. Islam has given her this special position. What she asks for is to be handed over to her by the Caliph or the Judge without any farther investigation.

B. Is it a fundamental rule of Islamic jurisprudence?

The Shias are to give a clear answer to these questions.

Scope 2. A specific reaction of the Prophet:

This hadith deals with a specific event. The Prophet felt disturbed at hearing that Ali decided to marry Abu Jahl’s daughter and said such thing in response. In this case the Shias of Ali are to deal with their Imam first. It has no connection with Abu Bakr when he gives judicial verdict as a Caliph.

Scope 3. A general recommendation of a loving father:

Esteemed Fatima was a pious lady and the Prophet loved her much as a father. He felt sorry and pain when he found her in distress. He expressed his attitude. He did not mean by this that a Caliph or a Judge is also under this recommendation and that they are too listen to and obey her in all respect. If this is the case, Shia turmoil is utter nonsense.

Fadak in prophet’s era:

Did Fatima[ra] asked fadak during prophets life time?

The hadith from sunnan abi dawood; Kitab Al-Kharaj, Wal-Fai’ Wal-Imarah; hadith 2966

Narrated Umar ibn AbdulAziz:  Al-Mughirah (ibn Shu’bah) said: Umar ibn AbdulAziz gathered the family of Marwan when he was made caliph, and he said: Fadak belonged to the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him), and he made contributions from it, showing repeated kindness to the poor of the Banu Hashim from it, and supplying from it the cost of marriage for those who were unmarried. Fatimah asked him to give it to her, but he refused. That is how matters stood during the lifetime of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) till he passed on (i.e. died).
When AbuBakr was made ruler he administered it as the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) had done in his lifetime till he passed on. Then when Umar ibn al-Khattab was made ruler he administered it as they had done till he passed on. Then it was given to Marwan as a fief, and it afterwards came to Umar ibn AbdulAziz.
Umar ibn AbdulAziz said: I consider I have no right to something which the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) refused to Fatimah, and I call you to witness that I have restored it to its former condition; meaning in the time of the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him).

Comment: So we can see that during the lifetime of prophet S.A.W.; she also asked for fadak but prophet refused her & kept fadak for poor & needy. Umar Bin Abdul Aziz [ra] could have given fadak regarding any reason… could have been given as a gift!…. but he definitely did not give it to compensate because he thought Fatima [ra] was wronged…no way!

It is therefore concluded that Fadak was neither inheritance nor a gift. This was exactly the position of Imam ‘Ali. When he became the Khalifah he did not treat Fadak as the estate of his deceased wife Sayyidah Fatimah, by taking a quarter for himself and distributing the remaining three quarters between , Husayn and Umm Kulthum according to the rule “to the male twice the share of the female”. This is an established fact of history. Why is Abu Bakr execrated for something which was also done by ‘Ali? In fact, Sayyid Murtada (known as ‘Alam al-Huda) narrates in his book on Imamah entitled ash-Shafi, that when ‘Ali became the khalifah he was approached about returning Fadak. His reply was:

“I am ashamed before Allah to overturn something that was prohibited by Abu Bakr and continued by ‘Umar.” (al-Murtada, ash-Shafi fil-Imamah, p. 231; and Ibn Abil Hadid, Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah, vol. 4)

According to both Sunni and Shia narrations, Hadrat Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) was greatly saddened by the developments and by Hadrat Fatima’s displeasure. He went to great lengths to please her while remaining firm on the Shariah. He went to her home, stood at her door in the midday sun and asked Hadrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) to be his intercessor in his sincere attempt to placate and please Hadrat Fatima (radhiallahu anha). Ultimately she became pleased with him and accepted his decision. These narrations appear in Madaarijun Nubuwwah, Kitaabul Wafaa, Baihaqi and in the commentaries of Mishkaat (all authoritative Kitaabs of the Ahlus Sunnah).

Kitaabul Muwaafiqah narrates that Anaani said:

“ Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) came to the door of Fatima (radhiallahu anha) in the midday sun and said: ‘I shall not leave from here as long as the daughter of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) remains displeased with me. Hadrat Ali (radhiallahu anhu) came to Fatima (radhiallahu anha) and giving her an oath urged her to become pleased. Then she became pleased (with Hadrat Abu Bakr).”

Further narrations state: [as quoted above]

When Hadrat Fatima (radhiallahu anha) fell sick Abu Bakr Siddiq (radhiallahu anhu) came and asked permission to see her.

Ali said: “Fatima, here is Abu Bakr asking permission to see you.” She said: “Would you like me to give him permission?” (Al-Dhahabi said in the Siyar (Al Arna’ut ed. 2:121): “She applied the Sunna by not giving permission to anyone to enter her husbands house except by his command.”)

He said yes, whereupon she gave him permission. He entered to see her, seeking her good pleasure, and said: “By Allah! I did not leave my house, property, family, and tribe except to please Allah, and to please His Prophet, and to please you, the People of the House (ahl al bayt)! He continued to seek her good pleasure until she was pleased.” [*]

أخبرنا أبو عبد الله الحافظ ثنا أبو عبد الله محمد بن يعقوب الحافظ ثنا محمد بن عبد الوهاب ثنا عبدان بن عثمان العتكي بنيسابور ثنا أبو ضمرة عن إسماعيل بن أبي خالد عن الشعبي قال ثم لما مرضت فاطمة رضي الله عنها أتاها أبو بكر الصديق رضي الله عنه فاستأذن عليها فقال علي رضي الله عنه يا فاطمة هذا أبو بكر يستأذن عليك فقالت أتحب أن آذن له قال نعم فأذنت له فدخل عليها يترضاها وقال والله ما تركت الدار والمال والأهل والعشيرة إلا ابتغاء مرضاة الله ومرضاة رسوله ومرضاتكم أهل البيت ثم ترضاها حتى رضيت

[*] Bayhaqi (rahimullah) in al Sunan al Kubra (6:300-301) and Dala’il al-Nubuwwa (7:273-281) who said: “It is narrated with a fair (hasan) chain.”

Muhibb al Din al-Tabari (rahimullah) cited it in al Riyad Al Nadira (2:96-97 #534) and Dhahabi (rahimullah)in the Siyar (Ibid).

Ibn Kathir (rahimullah) states it as Sahih in his Al Bidayah and Ibn Hajar (rahimullah) in his Fath Al Bari.

Shia records also confirm that Hadrat Fatima (radhiallahu anha) became pleased with Hadrat Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu).

Ibn-i-Mitham writes in the context of interpreting Nahj-ul-Balaga: “Abu Bakr said to Fatima: Whatever belonged to your father, belongs to you as well. The Messenger of Allah kept something apart out of his personal share (fadak) and distributed the rest of it in the name of Allah. By Allah, I’ll do with you what he used to do with you. Fatima was pleased to hear these words, a confirmation of the Prophetic practice” { Ibn-i-Mitham al-Buhrani, Sharh Nahj-ul-Balaga, Vol.5, P. 107,109 , Tehran }

” إن أبا بكر قال لها : إن لك ما لأبيك ، كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله يأخذ من فدك قوتكم ، ويقسم الباقي ويحمل منه في سبيل الله ، ولك على الله أن أصنع بها كما كان يصنع ، فرضيت بذلك وأخذت العهد عليه به

The Imaamiyyah Shia author of Hujjaajus Saalikeen states:

“Verily, when Abu Bakr saw that Fatima was annoyed with him, shunned him and did not speak to him after this on the issue of Fadak, he was much aggrieved on account of this. He resolved to please her. He went to her and said: ‘ Oh daughter of Rasulullah! You have spoken the truth in what you have claimed, but I saw Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) distributing it (i.e. the income of Fadak). He would give it to the Fuqaraa, Masaakeen and wayfarers after he gave your expenses and expenses of the workers.’ She then said:’ Do with it as my father, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) had done.’ Abu Bakr said:’ I take an oath by Allah for you! It is incumbent on me to do with it what your father used do with it.’ Fatima said: ‘ By Allah! You should most certainly do so.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘ By Allah! I shall most certainly do so.’ Fatima said: ‘ O Allah! Be witness.’ Thus, she became pleased with this and she took a pledge from Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr would give them ( Fatima and others of the Ahl-e-Bait) expenses there from and distribute the balance to the Fuqaraa, Masaakeen and wayfarers.”

Comment: This narration is also in other books of the Imaamiyyah Shias. It confirms that Hadrat Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) believed that Hadrat Fatima (radhiallahu anha) was truthful in her claim, but the practice of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) convinced him that ownership was not given to Hadrat Fatima (radhiallahu anha). The accusation against Hadrat Abu Bakr (radhiallahu anhu) is therefore pure slander.

Final wordings: 1. And Hafiz ibn Hajar said:

وَنَقَلَ الْبَيْهَقِيُّ فِي ” الِاعْتِقَاد ” بِسَنَدِهِ إِلَى أَبِي ثَوْر عَنْ الشَّافِعِيّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ : أَجْمَعَ الصَّحَابَة وَأَتْبَاعهمْ عَلَى أَفْضَلِيَّة أَبِي بَكْر ثُمَّ عُمَر ثُمَّ عُثْمَان ثُمَّ عَلِيّ.

“Imam Baiqhi narrated in his al-Aitiqad that Imam Shafi  said that there is Ijma of Sahabas and Tabieen on the superiority of Hazrat Abu Bakar [ra] , then Umar [ra] , then Usman [ra] and then Ali [ra] .”

Comment: The three Sahabas mentioneda bove, accroding to Shias they forced to give bayat/snatched fadak/broke rib of fatima[ra]/burned the house/etc. etc.

I can assure that you will never be able to provide any authentic references to back up your claim.

And what is the ruling of Ahle Sunnah regarding a person who goes against this Ijma?

2. Hafiz ibn Katheer  in “Bidaya wal Nihaya” vol 7, chapter “شيء من فضائل أمير المؤمنين علي بن أبي طالب” wrote:

وقد ثبت عنه بالتواتر أنه قال على منبر الكوفة‏:‏ أيها الناس‏!‏ إن خير هذه الأمة بعد نبيها أبو بكر ثم عمر، ولو شئت أن أسمي الثالث لسميت‏

“And it’s proven from him [Ali] in “tawatur” form, that He said on the minbaar in Kufa: “O people! The best one in this Ummah after her Prophet is Abu Bakr [ra] , then Umar [ra] . And if I wanted to say you the third name, I would do that.”

So what is the ruling of denying tawatur? Few weak and gharib narrations or narrations took out of context can’t over rule tawatur and Ijma.

3. Hafiz ibn Hajr quotes Hazrat Ali [ra] :

ولا يبلغني عن أحد يفضلني عليهما إلا جلدته حد المفتري

“I will lash anyone who prefers me over Abu Bakr and Umar, the lashing of a slanderer.”

[Lisan al-Mizan, Vol. III P. 290]

contributed by RajabMohsin, ahlussunnah, tripolysunni, ibn ahmed & others.