ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Hazrat Zahra (s.a) and the Heart - Rending Episode of Fadak Part Two: The political factors for the usurpation of Fadak The seizing of Fadak from the lady of Islam Fatimah Zahra (p.b.u.h.) was not a simple matter only of an economic nature. On the contrary, its economic aspect was outshone by the political matters governing the Islamic community after the death of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

Indeed, Fadak can-not be separated from the other events of that era. On the contrary, it is a link from a lengthy chain and a phenomenon from a total, enveloping current! The following factors may be cited for this serious historical Usurpation: The possession of Fadak in the hands of the prophet’s family was calculated as a great meaningful distinction for them.

This was in itself proof of their elevated position and superiority in the presence of God and the earmarking of their intense closeness to the Prophet (p.b.u.h.). This is especially because, according to the shia and sunni narratives mentioned above, when the Quranic verse was descended the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) sent for Fatimah (p.b.u.h.) and granted to her the land of Fadak.

It is clear that the possession of Fadak in the hands of the Prophets family in view of this historical background would cause the people to search for the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) other vestiges in this family especially the matter of caliphate or the successor of that Hazrat (p.b.u.h.). This was not a situation, which could be tolerated by those who supported the transferal of the caliphate to other persons.

This matter was also important from an economic stand-point, and it affected its political aspect. This was due to the fact that if Ali (p.b.u.h.) and his supporters were placed under severely straightened economic circumstances, their political power would be reduced proportionately According to another interpretation, the existence of Fadak. in their hands made resources available to them that could have been supportive of them in the matter of the guardianship (leadership).

This was just as the wealth of Khadijeh (p.b.u.h.) was backing for the progress of Islam at the beginning of the Prophet’s (p.b.u.h.) mission. All the world over it is customary that whenever they wish to shut - out an important person or country they place him under economic embargo.