Fadak: Difference between revisions

Fadak is located in Hijaz, 160 Km from [[Medina]]. Although it is situated in the dry lands of al-Harra, it is covered with date palms and provided land for gardens and farming. In the early Islamic period, Jews resided there. The Shamrukh castle was located near Fadak, which was strategically regarded as the main military base for the Jews. Reports state that the Jewish people were living there until the time of [['Umar b. al-Khattab]], the second caliph, who ordered them to evacuate the region.

Today Fadak is located in the city of al-Ha'it, which consisted of 21 villages by 1975. According to reports, in 2010, about 14,000 people live there.

During the emergence of [[Islam]], the fertile soil and rich water sources allowed Fadak to be rich in date palms and other gardens. As a result, Fadak was a productive and fruitful land with profitable income. It is said the date palms of Fadak are worth the same as date palms of [[Kufa]]-which is well-known for its extensive cultivation of date palms. When 'Umar b. al-Khattab decided to expel the Jews, he paid them 50 thousand Dirhams (old currency of Hijaz) for the remaining half of Fadak, which was owned by the Jews.

Fadak was undeniably a fertile land, but its annual income is unknown. According to a number of sources, Fadak produced an annual income of 24 to 70 thousand Dinars at the time of Prophet Muhammad (s). As estimated by researchers, the income achieved from Fadak could easily cover the expenses of [[Banu Hashim]], so they would not need financial support from the government or caliphate.

According to their peace treaty Jews were supposed to give half of their gardens and fields of Fadak to [[Prophet (s)]] in exchange for permission to continue their life in Fadak. It also guaranteed safety and security for the rest of their properties and lands.

As [[Muslim]]s did not attend the conquest of Fadak, according to the order of [[Qur'an|the Holy Quran]], Fadak was owned specifically by Prophet Muhammad (s). As dictated in the [[Quran]], the properties achieved for Muslims, in which they did not fight for, are owned only by Prophet (s). Such properties are called [[fay']] which belong to Prophet Muhammad (s) and he can transfer the ownership or control of such properties to whomever he decides.

Some Shiite and Sunni exegetes believe that following the [[revelation]] of the verse 26 of [[Sura al-Isra']] (17){{enote|{{ia|وَآتِ ذَا القُربىٰ حَقَّهُ وَالمِسكينَ وَابنَ السَّبيلِ وَلا تُبَذِّر تَبذيرًا}}: Give the relatives their [due] right, and the needy and the traveler [as well], but do not squander wastefully. (Qur'an 17:26)}}, Prophet Muhammad (s) gave Fadak to Lady Fatima (a).

The fame of Fadak among Shi'a is due to an event which took place after the [[demise of the Prophet (s)]]. In this event, [[Abu Bakr]] took Fadak from [[Lady Fatima (a)]] and confiscated it for the [[caliphate]]. Abu Bakr argued that the [[Prophets]] do not leave [[inheritance]] as he had heard it from the Prophet (s). But, Lady Fatima (a) mentioned that Abu Bakr's argument was against the Qur'an and took [[Imam Ali (a)]] and [[Umm Ayman]] as [[witnesse]]s that the Prophet (s) had gifted Fadak to her before his demise (and Fadak was not an inheritance). Abu Bakr accepted that and wrote a handwriting that no one should encroaches on it. When Lady Fatima (a) exited the meeting, [['Umar b. al-Khattab]] saw her, took the handwriting and torn it. As Imam Ali's (a) petition was rejected, Lady Fatima (a) went to the [[mosque]] and gave [[al-Fadakiyya sermon]].

# Rule of [['Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz]]  

# Rule of [[al-Mahdi al-'Abbasi]]{{enote|however according to some accounts, [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]]'s request for Fadak was rejected by al-Mahdi al-'Abbasi.}}

# Rule of [[al-Ma'mun]]

When al-Ma'mun (ruled 198/813-14 – 218/833) decided to return Fadak to descendants of Lady Fatima (a), many oppositions arose. Thus, he invited 200 of prominent scholars of his time and asked them to mention their opinions about Fadak's ownership. After the presentation of ideas, the conclusion of the meeting was that Fadak belonged to [[Lady Fatima (a)]] and needed to return to its original inheritors. The insistence of objectors made al-Ma'mun hold another meeting with more scholars from around the Islamic world. The result of this session was similar to the result of the first meeting. Therefore, in [[210]]/825-26, he wrote to the governor of [[Medina]], Qutham b. Ja'far, to return Fadak to children of Lady Fatima (a).