ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Karbala and Beyond ف, F Fadak فدك : a garden oasis in Khaybar, a tract of land approximately thirty miles from Medina, and it was known for its water-wells, dates, and handicrafts. When the Muslims defeated the people of Khaybar at the Battle of Khaybar, which took place in the year 628 A.D., the oasis of Fadak was part of the booty given to the (ص). Upon his death, he bequeathed it to his daughter, Fatima.

It became the object of dispute between Fatima and Abu Bakr (573 – 634 A.D.) after the latter had assumed power in the year 632 A.D. following the Prophet’s death. A brief history of Khaybar tells us that in the 7th century, this oasis was inhabited by Arab Jews who pioneered the cultivation of the oasis and made their living growing date trees as well as through commerce and craftsmanship, accumulating considerable wealth.

The oasis was divided into three regions: an-Natat, ash-Shiqq الشِّق, and al-Katiba الكتيبة, probably separated by natural diversions, such as the desert, lava drifts, and swamps. Each of these regions contained several fortresses or redoubts containing homes, storehouses and stables. Each fortress was occupied by a clan and surrounded by cultivated fields and palm-groves. In order to improve their defensive capabilities, the fortresses were raised up on hills or basalt rocks.

(ص) led the march on Khaybar oasis on Thul-Qa’da 6, 7 A.H., corresponding to May 7, 629 A.D., with approximately 1500 men and one to two hundred horses. Primary sources, including the Seerat Rasool Allah (Biography of the Prophet) of Ibn Ishaq, describe the conquest of Khaybar, detailing the agreement of Muhammad with the Jews to remain in Fadak and cultivate their land, retaining one-half of the produce of the oasis.

This agreement was distinct from the agreement with the Jews of Khaybar, which essentially entailed the practice of share-cropping. It is not entirely clear how Muhammad managed his possession of Fadak. Some Muslim commentators agree that after the conquest of Fadak, the property belonged exclusively to the Prophet (ص). Various primary sources describe the acquisition of Fadak in the following way: An account indicates that eleven fruit trees in Fadak were planted by the Prophet (ص) himself.

Other scholars who accept the view of Fadak as belonging exclusively to the Prophet (ص) after the conquest of Khaybar include Ali bn Ahmed as-Samhudi, Ibn Hisham and Abul-Fida.