The matter of Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) inheritance usually stirs a raging debate between the Shias and their opponents, who maintain that Fatima Zahra (s.a.) did not have the right to inheritance. The Shias of Ahle Bait (a.s.) are of the view that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) did in fact leave behind as a gift or in the least as inheritance the property of Fadak for his only daughter whom he (s.a.w.a.) held in high regard.
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This debate has many answers leading us to conclude categorically that Fadak was the property of Fatima Zahra (s.a.) in the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) very life time.
Over here we bring one such argument advanced by Ummul Momineen Umm Salmah (r.a.) in support of Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
It is documented in Al-Durr al-Nazeem by Jamaaluddeen Yusuf Ibn Haatim – the jurist of Syria – that when Ummul Momineen Umm Salmah (r.a.) was informed about Abu Bakr’s dismissive response to Fatima (s.a.) regarding Fadak she remarked:
- Is it right that a person like Fatima (s.a.) should be addressed with such words? By Allah! Fatima (s.a.) is a human fairy, the soul for the soul (of Prophet s.a.w.a.), raised in pious laps, fed with the hands of angels, grown in the laps of immaculate ones, with the best upbringing and with the nourishment of the best nourisher.
Can you imagine that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.) would deprive her from her inheritance and would not even care to inform her about it?!
This is while Allah had instructed His Prophet (s.a.w.a.) – ‘And warn your nearest relations.’ (Surah Shoara (26): 214).
Would he (s.a.w.a.) not have warned her (s.a.) that she would not receive any inheritance? And would she (s.a.) oppose him (s.a.w.a.) and stake a claim to her inheritance?!
This is while she (s.a.) is the best of the women, the mother of the masters of the youth (of Paradise) and (more than) an equal to Maryam, the daughter of Imran? The message of Allah (s.a.w.a.) concluded with her father and I swear by Allah that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.) shielded Fatima (s.a.) against heat and cold and would make his right hand her pillow and his left one her blanket, gently. (Know that) you are being observed by the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.). And towards Allah is your return. Woe betide you.
Very soon you will learn the truth.
It was in the same year that Umm Salmah’s (r.a.) pension was withdrawn by Abu Bakr.
