The Shia version of history is always simplistic; it is completely black and white, with no shades in between. The Shia propagandists demand us to “pick” either Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) or Fatima (رضّى الله عنها). Why must we pick between the two? If our parents get in an argument, should we be forced to “pick” between the two? In the argument between our parents, it may be that our father is correct and our mother is incorrect. But this does not mean that we stop loving our mother! We simply disagree on
one issue.
The Shia propagandists will then try saying that the Ahlus Sunnah is accusing Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) of lying or this and that. We do not say that she lied at all! In fact, what we say is that if the Shia accounts of history are correct, then she was lying by accusing Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) of so many things. (And this is how we know that the Shia versions are false.) We do not believe in these exaggerated Ghullat accounts of history. Instead, we say that Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) simply did not know that the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) said such-and-such, or maybe her interpretation of such-and-such was different. Between telling a lie and telling the truth there are many other stages. One of them is called “making a mistake.” And all human beings–even Prophets–make mistakes.
Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) and Umar (رضّى الله عنه) got in arguments with each other. But they were the best of friends, and are known as the Shaikhayn. So too did Ali (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) get in arguments. Do the Shia really think that a single married couple has ever gotten away without even a single argument? This would be living in some strange alternate universe to think otherwise! And we actually know of at least one argument between Ali (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها), namely when Ali (رضّى الله عنه) planned on marrying another wife other than Fatima (رضّى الله عنها). Both Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) and the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) were upset at Ali (رضّى الله عنه) for this. But the reality is that neither Ali (رضّى الله عنه) nor Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) nor the Prophet (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) were wrong about the issue. They simply had different opinions and preferences. Nobody would say to pick between Ali (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها).
In any case, we cannot understand why we must pick between Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها); we do not see why we have to call one or the other a liar. Is it not possible that one of the two simply made a mistake, and this was the cause of the argument? Unlike the Shia, the Ahlus Sunnah does not have Ghullat tendencies and we do not say that one of the parties involved was infallible and the other pure evil.
As for the Ahlus Sunnah–and this cannot be stressed enough–we consider it Makrouh (detestable) to criticize Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) for no reason. The Shia will raise their children on stories about how evil Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) was, and the bad things that Umar (رضّى الله عنه) did. The Shia children will hear about the accounts of Umar (رضّى الله عنه) murdering Fatima (رضّى الله عنها), and of Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) stealing Fadak. But the Ahlus Sunnah does not ever mention the story of Fadak in its own circles, nor does it trumpet the mistake of Fatima (رضّى الله عنها). In fact, the only time we discuss Fadak is when we argue with the Shia because they force our hand by condemning Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه). Otherwise, the Ahlus Sunnah does not like to bring up arguments that ended 1400 years ago and have absolutely no relevance to our faith! And worst yet, we are talking about people who are not even alive to defend themselves; we cannot possibly look into the hearts and minds of these people and judge them.
And who are we to judge them when both Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) and Fatima (رضّى الله عنها) have done more for Islam in one day than we shall do in our entire lifetime? Nobody on this earth is on par with these two great heroes of Islam. Instead of wasting our precious time arguing about their faults, shouldn’t we work on removing our own faults and worrying about our ownselves? Should we not worry about our fate on the Day of Judgment? Surely on that Day, nobody will ask us “does Fadak belong to Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) or Fatima (رضّى الله عنها)?”
Furthermore, before the Shia condemns Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه), he should ask himself if in his heart he has even a “shadow of doubt” about Abu Bakr’s “guilt” (رضّى الله عنه). Do the Shia not see all the other differing accounts of Abu Bakr’s actions (رضّى الله عنه)? What if one of the alternate accounts of Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) is correct? Then what? Surely it is a possibility! Therefore, there is at least a shred of doubt and we should not condemn Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) lest we wrongfully accuse him of something. This holds true for anyone, and this is why we should leave the judging upto Allah.
The truth is that the issue of Fadak has absolutely no religious significance. It was a mere legal dispute. Fadak does not change the doctrine of Islam; it does not affect our prayers, our fasts, our Zakat, our Hajj, or anything else for that matter. The truth is that Fadak has no relevance to anything in our lives; in fact, it doesn’t even have relevance to any non-religious aspect of our lives! Neither of the two parties involved–neither Abu Bakr (رضّى الله عنه) nor Fatima (رضّى الله عنها)–commited any sin in the legal dispute of Fadak. If two people reached a different answer in a math problem, do we say that one of them is sinning? No, we simply say that one of them is mistaken.
In regards to Fatima (رضّى الله عنها), she is revered by the Ahlus Sunnah. It is narrated in our authentic Hadith that she is the chief of the women in Paradise. Any mainstream Muslim who talks ill of her is considered deviant. We do not like to discuss her mistakes (which were few and far in between), and it is only the Shia who forces us to do so because the Shia culture is one obsessed with finding faults (in the Sahabah, the Prophet’s wives, and anyone else they can get their hands on). They engage us in such dirty disputes and debates. We notice that the Shia is always busy sending “Laanat” on so many different people; surely, the Shia should lighten his heart and refrain from sending “Laanat” on everything that walks but rather to ask for Allah’s Mercy.
The Shia is obsessed with saying that the Ahlus Sunnah insults and hates the Ahlel Bayt. In reality, it is the Shia who insult the House of Muhammad (صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم) including his wives and three of his lovely daughters. (The Shia even go to the extent of insulting the Ahlel Bayt by denying that the Prophet [صلّى الله عليه وآله وسلّم] had four daughters!)
Next: Part XII, Conclusion
