Fatima (peace be upon her) had an independent life of her own...

Fatima (peace be upon her) had an independent life of her own, and in spite her economic independence, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) had dedicated Fadak to her, and even registered it in her name, and the Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) never said that Fadak belonged to all Muslims while Fatima (peace be upon her) never used its profit for her own sake but the poor Muslims.

The Importance of Fadak: The Fadak issue is having two-dimensions: Economic and political: They usurped Fadak from Fatima (peace be upon her) for different reasons, and one of them was to impoverish Ali and Fatima (peace be upon them), because they spent the income of Fadak for the poor.

Although Abubakr knew Fatima (peace be upon her) was right, and it needed no evidence, he usurped Fadak from Ali and Fatima (peace be upon her) in order to weaken their souls, make them indigent and keep them busy not to think about the unjust Caliphate, or stand against the present government by means of its income. Omar said to Abubakr, “ ان الناس عبيد الدنيا” that means, “the people are the servants of the world”.

If you cut Ali’s hand from Fadak, Khums, and Beit ul-mal, the people will disperse from his round”. The efforts of the Caliphs in this regard were somehow futile, but Fatima (peace be upon her) did not evade it and started defending administering her right. Right-seeking of Fatima (peace be upon her): She proved women can administers right by regarding the Islamic laws. In Abubakr’s session, she showed that she did not want wealth for her own, but to use its income to help the poor.

In this regard, she said to Abubakr, “I found myself responsible to say this word and express my complaint in this regard”. Then, she brought Ali (peace be upon him) and Omme Aiman as witness to prove her claim. Omme Aiman witnessed that Fadak belonged to Fatima (peace be upon her).

Abubakr was about to divert from main direction of speech, but Omme Aiman did not let him and said, “if you do not answer my question, I won’t let you speak any more.” Then, he went on “ Did you hear that the Prophet (peace be upon him and his descendants) said Omme Aiman is an inhabitant of heaven?” Abubakr answered, “Yes” , then she continued, “so I witness that Fadak belongs to Fatima”.