Hadrat
Fatimah Zahra(A.S.) Pleads Her Case
After all
else failing, the holy Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.), in her desperation
and frustration, causes a great controversy among all the Muslims. By
personally going to her Father's Mosque of Al-Madinah, after prayers had
ended, to publicly expose and demand the immeadiate return of her
rightful inheritance from Abu Bakr and his supporters, who Pleads Her
Case
The Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) had now exhausted all possible avenues in her
pursuit to reclaim her rightful inheritance to the Fadak, given to her
by her Father The Holy Prophet Mohammad Al-Mustafa(S.A.W.). But sadly
her pleas fell on deaf ears. For this reason and on the grounds of
proving that she has been oppressed by those who professed righteousness
under false pretences of faith and piety. At a very last resort the holy
Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.), daringly went to her Father's Mosque, to
face her adversaries and delivered to them the most eloquent of words in
her defense, which left the assembly speechless. She chose to proceed to
the Mosque at a time when it was crammed with people, in order that her
words reached the ears of all the people, who were somewhat accessories
after the fact due to their silent approval of the events that occurred
after the Holy Prophet's demise. She addressed the assembly in a speech
that was both harmonious and systematic. It was an impeccable speech in
that it contained no minced words, and was free of equivocation,
distortion and slander. Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) used the occasion to
firstly acquaint the people with Allah, The Most Exalted, and to
disclose the merits of the Islamic religion and to clarify the cause and
effect of the Islamic Laws. With this introduction she succeeded in
securing the full attention of the assembly and created an appropriate
atmosphere in which she could deliver her final statement which
contained the underlying intentions and reasons that forced her to leave
her house and proceed to the Mosque. And the reasons which warranted her
leaving her house were, of course, the misappropriation by the so-called
then self appointed caliph Abu Bakr of: The Fadak which was legally
hers.
Hadrat Fatima's Protest against Abu Bakr's Actions
Hadrat Fatima (A.S.) 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 Masjid-un-Nabi in the holy city
of Madina. There she sat down and delivered the following speech:
Hadrat Fatima's Historical 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: Form 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 without partner, a statement which
sincere devotion is made to be its interpretation; hearts guarantee its
continuation, and illuminated 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 before them, and created them without
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 obedience, manifest His might, lead His creatures to
humbly venerate Him, and to exalt His decrees. He then made the reward
for His obedience, and punishment for his disobedience, so as to protect
His creatures from His Wrath and amass them into His Paradise.
I too bear witness that my Father, Muhammad(S.A.W.), 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)
(S.A.W.) as perfection for His commands, a resolution to accomplish His
rule, 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,
(S.A.W.) 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 preference. So,
Muhammad (S.A.W.) 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.
Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) 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
indisputable; Its secrets are revealed; Its indications are manifest;
and its followers are blessed by it. (The Quran) leads its adherents to
goodwill; 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 purification for you from polytheism. 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 Bi 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 descendants. 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
deserveing 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.
Hadrat Fatima Zahra (A.S.) then added:
0 People! Be informed that I am Fatima(A.S.), and my father is Muhammad
(S.A.W.) 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) (A.S.) 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
hypocrisy 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 Fatima (S.A.)
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 (S.A.W.) 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
(S.A.W.) would strike its discords with his brother (Ali) (A.S.), who
comes not back until he treads its wing with the sole of his feet, and
extinguishes its flames with his sword. Ali(A.S.) is 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 comfortable lives, waiting for us to meet
disasters, awaiting the spread of news, you fell back during every
battle, 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 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 your courtyards and the Devil stuck
his head from its place of hiding and called upon you, he found you
responsive 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 cast 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, complying
with the call of the misled devil, quenching the light of the manifest
religion, 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(Abu Bakr)! 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
me, 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 make 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 (Fatima 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 specifications 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 wonderful judge is Allah, a claimant
is Muhammad(S.A.W.), 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 you know who will be inflicted with torture that will humiliate
him, and who will be confronted by an everlasting punishment.
Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) 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 (S.A.W.) 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 (S.A.W.) has perished;" Surely this is a great
calamity; Its damage is excessive its injury is great, Its wound (is
much too deep) to heal. 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 predestination fulfilled: "Muhammad(S.A.W.) 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 heel, 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 (S.A.W.) 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
confused 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 you 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) (A.S.); you
secluded yourselves with meekness and dismissed that which you accepted.
Yet, if you show ingratitude, you and all on earth together, yet, Allah
free of all wants worthy of all praise.
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 everlasting 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) (S.A.W.) to you against
a severe punishment. So, act and so will we, and wait, and we shall
wait."
The end of Hadrat Fatima's speech.
It appears from recorded historical events, that Hadrat Fatima (A.S.)
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 Hadrat Fatima's speech Abu Bakr
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 the 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 property, 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) ?"
Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) then refuted Abu Bakr's claim that the Prophet
(S.A.W.) had stated that prophets couldn't be inherited, and said:
"Glory be to Allah!! Surely Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) 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 acts with 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 '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)
bygones. Nay! But your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with
you, but (for me) patience is most fitting against that which you
assert; it is Allah (alone) whose help can be sought."
It is apparent that Abu Bakr chanced the mode with which he addressed
Hadrat Fatima (A.S.) after delivering her speech. Listen to his
following speech; which is his reply to Hadrat Fatima's just reported
speech. Abu Bakr said:
"Surely Allah and His Apostle are truthful, and so has his (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, Hadrat
Fatima Zahra (A.S.) 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 Hadrat Fatima's
arguments, it appears certain that Abu Bakr was finally persuaded to
submit Fadak to her.
Nevertheless, when Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) was leaving Abu Bakr's house,
Umar suddenly appeared and exclaimed:
"What is it that you hold in your hand?"
Abu Bakr replied:
"A decree I have written for Fatima(A.S.) 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!. |