The Shia will make it sound as if Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) took Fadak and made it his own. Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) did not take a cent from Fadak, but rather he made it part of the Waqf for the benefit of the Ummah and the emerging Muslim state. Fadak became charity, and contrary to what the Shia insinuate, Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) did not buy a new car using the money from Fadak. In fact, Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) was known to have dedicated most of his wealth to the Islamic cause. He lived the life of a pauper, and was known for his ascetism. Prior to his conversion to Islam, Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) was a very wealthy man; after his conversion, he dedicated this wealth to Islam and consequently lived a meager life. In the Shia Makarem Shirazi, we find:
“ABUBAKR was an influential wealthy man, and made us of his influence and wealth for improving Islam.”
(source: Makarem Shirazi,
http://www.makaremshirazi.org/books/english/TAFSIR3/01.html#_Lnk7)
- Abu Bakr’s Dilemma (رضّى الله عنه)
Admittedly, Fatima was the Prophet’s daughter, and Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) felt horrible that he had earned her displeasure by the ruling on Fadak. Some would think that perhaps Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) should have shown lenience on the matter. However, this would have set a horrible precedent if the first Caliph of the Ummah willfully violated the Shariah of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), who clearly said that Prophets do not leave behind inheritance. To adjust the rules for close family or friends would have shown nepotism. Indeed, it does not matter how high the status of an individual is in a just state: he/she will have to adhere to the law of the land, and exceptions cannot be granted based upon rank. Otherwise, an injust state would be created in which the high class get away with things, and meanwhile the lower class faces stricter implementation of law. Thus, it can be seen that Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) must have been under immense stress from the general public who would have been angered if the Shariah was abandoned for those of a high rank such as Fatima (رضّى الله عنها). Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) was held accountable to many poor people who would recieve aid from the charity money obtained from Fadak.
Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) made a sincere mistake and she did not realize that she does not get inheritance from the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). Nobody, not Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) nor Ali (رضّى الله عنه), could place the words of Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) above those of Prophet Muhammad (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) which categorically forbade inheritance for Prophets.
Additionally, if it was really to be inherited by the family of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم), then Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) would have given the rightful share of it to Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) but he did not. So why aren’t the Shia grieving for Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) like they do for Fatima (رضّى الله عنها)? And what about the other eligible relatives of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم)? Why is it that the Shia do not argue on behalf of these people for Fadak? It is reported that Aisha (رضّى الله عنها) also asked her father Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) to give her inheritance and Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) refused on the basis of the fact that Prophets do not give inheritance. Why aren’t the Shia crying over Aisha’s loss (رضّى الله عنها)?
Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) did a very noble thing by donating Fadak to charity, as was the command of the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم). The Shia try to villify Abu Bakr, but what was Abu Bakr’s only “crime” other than helping the poor? If the Shia want to make this a competition between Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) and Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه), then let us remember that the former wanted it for her own personal usage, whereas Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) wanted it to be given as charity for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah. The Shia should stop focusing on the issue of Fadak, because it was a sincere mistake of Fatima’s (رضّى الله عنها); the Ahlus Sunnah does not discuss Fadak in its own circles for this very reason, out of reverence for Fatima (رضّى الله عنها). The Shia meanwhile force our hand and make us continually prove that Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) was in the wrong, in order that we may exonerate Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) from wrong doing. We ask Allah Almighty to accept Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) into the Highest Ranks of Paradise.
Next: Part VIII, The Quran Does Not Say Prophets Give Inheritance
