Umar at Fatimah's house
Encyclopedia
Umar at Fatimah's house refers to the controversial event where Umar
came to the house of Fatimah
, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
, in order to get the allegiance of Ali
and his followers or burn her house down. This event, according to Shias, is ascribed to be the cause of Fatimah's miscarriage and eventual death.
, Abu Bakr
and Umar
attempted to gain the shura (consensus) of the community that Abu Bakr
should become the caliph (leader) over the Islamic ummah (community). According to Shi'a sources, as Ali attended the funeral of Muhammad, Abu Bakr and Umar attained the consensus of the community. As Ali was burying Muhammad, he learned that Abu Bakr had attained communal consensus. Fatimah, Ali, and their supporters maintained that Ali should be the leader over the Islamic community because of Muhammad's statement at Ghadir Khumm
.
in her article Fatima, in the Encyclopedia of Islam chronicles the event as such: "Fatima, a timid woman who had never taken part in political matters, found herself indirectly involved in some of the events which followed the death of the Prophet. After his election, Abu Bakr made his way with some companions towards Fatima's house, where a number of Ansar and of Ali's supporters had assembled. The newly-elected Khalifa
wanted to obtain the homage of these dissidents also, but Ali went forward to meet him with sword drawn, and Fatima, when her husband had been disarmed by Umar and the party was preparing to enter the house, raised such cries and threatened so boldly to uncover her hair that Abu Bakr preferred to withdraw. There are other accounts of the same episode: Fatima saw in Umar's hand a brand, and asked him if he intended to set fire to her door because of his hostility to her . In one book, al-Imama wa 'l-siyasa (which is certainly very early, even though the attribution to Ibn Qutayba is wrong), the episode is related with more serious details: Umar really had evil intentions; he had wood brought and threatened to burn the house with everything in it. When he was asked, "Even if Fatimah is there?", he replied in the affirmative. Then those who were in the house came out and rendered the homage demanded⎯except for Ali. Fatimah, appearing at the door, reproached them: "You have left the body of the Apostle of God with us and you have decided among yourselves without consulting us, without respecting our rights!" When Abu Bakr and Umar repeated their attempts to make Ali comply, she is said to have cried out, "O father! O Apostle of God! What evils we have suffered at the hands of Umar and Abu Bakr after your death!" Veccia Vaglieri latter adds: "We have spent some time on these episodes because even if they have been expanded by invented details, they are based on fact."
and one of the teachers of al-Bukhari, narrates in his book al-Musanaf that:
(276 AH/889 CE) in al-Imama wa al-Siyasa writes:
(297 AH/ 892 CE) in Ansab al-Ashraf writes:
(923 CE) in his Tarikh writes:
The translator’s commentary on this event provides the following background:
, was injured, and allegedly beaten, in the attack, resulting in her miscarriage.
The author writes:
He also writes:
, in his book Al-Iqd ul-Fareed, writes:
d. 1153 CE, documents in his book Al-Milal wa al-Nihal
That a troublesome theologian called al-Naẓẓām (d. 231 AH) "increased his lying deception" and said:
The historian Ibn Kathir adds in his book:
It is commonly believed by Sunni based on the above that Ali made a distance with Abu Bakr in deference to the wishes and sentiments of Fatima. He took the oath publicly six months later when Fatima had died. Ibn Kathir and other historians are of the view that the subsequent oath of allegiance by 'Ali was in confirmation of the first one. A number of reports to this effect are on record in the six authentic compilations of the Hadeeth and other books.
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
came to the house of Fatimah
Fatimah
Fatimah was a daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for men and women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca...
, the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, in order to get the allegiance of Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
and his followers or burn her house down. This event, according to Shias, is ascribed to be the cause of Fatimah's miscarriage and eventual death.
Background
According to the sources, following the death of MuhammadMuhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
and Umar
Umar
`Umar ibn al-Khattāb c. 2 November , was a leading companion and adviser to the Islamic prophet Muhammad who later became the second Muslim Caliph after Muhammad's death....
attempted to gain the shura (consensus) of the community that Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr was a senior companion and the father-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632-634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Muhammad's death...
should become the caliph (leader) over the Islamic ummah (community). According to Shi'a sources, as Ali attended the funeral of Muhammad, Abu Bakr and Umar attained the consensus of the community. As Ali was burying Muhammad, he learned that Abu Bakr had attained communal consensus. Fatimah, Ali, and their supporters maintained that Ali should be the leader over the Islamic community because of Muhammad's statement at Ghadir Khumm
Hadith of the pond of Khumm
The Hadith of the pond of Khumm refers to the saying about a historical event crucial to Islamic history. This event took place on 18th of Dhu al-Hijjah of 10 AH in the Islamic calendar at a place called Ghadir Khumm, which is located near the city of al-Juhfah, Saudi Arabia and was a place...
.
Event
Veccia VaglieriLaura Veccia Vaglieri
Laura Veccia Vaglieri was an Italian orientalist.A pioneer of Arabic and Islamic studies in Italy, Veccia Vaglieri served as professor at the Naples Eastern University and was the author of books on the historical and institutional analysis of the Arab and Muslim world...
in her article Fatima, in the Encyclopedia of Islam chronicles the event as such: "Fatima, a timid woman who had never taken part in political matters, found herself indirectly involved in some of the events which followed the death of the Prophet. After his election, Abu Bakr made his way with some companions towards Fatima's house, where a number of Ansar and of Ali's supporters had assembled. The newly-elected Khalifa
Caliphate
The term caliphate, "dominion of a caliph " , refers to the first system of government established in Islam and represented the political unity of the Muslim Ummah...
wanted to obtain the homage of these dissidents also, but Ali went forward to meet him with sword drawn, and Fatima, when her husband had been disarmed by Umar and the party was preparing to enter the house, raised such cries and threatened so boldly to uncover her hair that Abu Bakr preferred to withdraw. There are other accounts of the same episode: Fatima saw in Umar's hand a brand, and asked him if he intended to set fire to her door because of his hostility to her . In one book, al-Imama wa 'l-siyasa (which is certainly very early, even though the attribution to Ibn Qutayba is wrong), the episode is related with more serious details: Umar really had evil intentions; he had wood brought and threatened to burn the house with everything in it. When he was asked, "Even if Fatimah is there?", he replied in the affirmative. Then those who were in the house came out and rendered the homage demanded⎯except for Ali. Fatimah, appearing at the door, reproached them: "You have left the body of the Apostle of God with us and you have decided among yourselves without consulting us, without respecting our rights!" When Abu Bakr and Umar repeated their attempts to make Ali comply, she is said to have cried out, "O father! O Apostle of God! What evils we have suffered at the hands of Umar and Abu Bakr after your death!" Veccia Vaglieri latter adds: "We have spent some time on these episodes because even if they have been expanded by invented details, they are based on fact."
Ibn Abi Shayba
Ibn Abi Shayba (235 AH/ 849 CE), a prominent scholar of hadithHadith
The term Hadīth is used to denote a saying or an act or tacit approval or criticism ascribed either validly or invalidly to the Islamic prophet Muhammad....
and one of the teachers of al-Bukhari, narrates in his book al-Musanaf that:
ibn Qutayba
Ibn QutaybahIbn Qutaybah
Ibn Qutaybah was a renowned Islamic scholar of Persian origin.-Biography:His full name is Abu Muhammad ‘Abdullaah bin Muslim Ibn Qutaybah Ad-Dinawaree. He was born in Kufa in what is now modern day Iraq. He was of Iranian descent; his father was from Merv...
(276 AH/889 CE) in al-Imama wa al-Siyasa writes:
al-Baladhuri
al-BaladhuriAhmad Ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri
Ahmad Ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri Arabic was a 9th century Persian historian. One of the eminent middle-eastern historians of his age , he spent most of his life in Baghdad and enjoyed great influence at the court of the caliph al-Mutawakkil. He traveled in Syria and Iraq, compiling information for his...
(297 AH/ 892 CE) in Ansab al-Ashraf writes:
History of al-Tabari
The historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-TabariMuhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari
Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari was a prominent and influential Sunni scholar and exegete of the Qur'an from Persia...
(923 CE) in his Tarikh writes:
The translator’s commentary on this event provides the following background:
“Although the timing of the events is not clear, it seems that ‘Ali and his group came to know about the Saqifah after what had happened there. At this point, his supporters gathered in Fatima’s house. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, fully aware of ‘Ali’s claims and fearing a serious threat from his supporters, summoned him to the mosque to swear the oath of allegiance. ‘Ali refused, and so the house was surrounded by an armed band led by Abu Bakr and Umar, who threatened to set it on fire if ‘Ali and his supporters refused to come out and swear allegiance to Abu Bakr. The scene grew violent and Fatima was furious."
Sulaym b. Qays
The book Kitab Sulaym b. Qays al-Hilali, which was written by a companion of 'Ali. It describes 'Umar's attack, and describes how Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet MuhammadMuhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
, was injured, and allegedly beaten, in the attack, resulting in her miscarriage.
al-Mas'udi
The book Ithbāt al-Waṣīyyah, composed in the third Islamic century, is attributed to the historian al-Mas'udi, but this is highly doubted.The author writes:
He also writes:
Ibn Abd Rabboh
Ibn Abed RabbohIbn Abed Rabboh
Ibn Abed Rabboh is a famous Islamic writer. He wrote Al Iqd Al Fareed . He lived in Spain....
, in his book Al-Iqd ul-Fareed, writes:
Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi
Shahrastani
Al-ShahrastaniAl-Shahrastani
Tāj al-Dīn Abū al-Fath Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Karīm ash-Shahrastānī was an influential Persian historian of religions and a historiographer. His book, Kitab al–Milal wa al-Nihal was one of the pioneers in developing a scientific approach to the study of religions...
d. 1153 CE, documents in his book Al-Milal wa al-Nihal
Al-Milal wa al-Nihal
Kitāb al–Milal wa al-Nihal , written by the Islamic scholar Muhammad al-Shahrastani , is a non-polemical study of religious communities and philosophies that had existed up to his time, considered to be the first systematic study of religion...
That a troublesome theologian called al-Naẓẓām (d. 231 AH) "increased his lying deception" and said:
Sunni view and historical sources supporting the Sunni view
According to Sunni books of Hadith and books of history written at the time however, this entire story did not occur. It states that Ali willingly gave oath of allegiance to Abu Bakr, though maintained a distance from him out of respect for Ali's wife Fatima, because of an argument Abu Bakr had with Fatima over her inheritance. When Fatima died 6 months later, Ali went to Abu Bakr to re-establish closer relations. It is further refuted considering that Umar married Ali and Fatima's daughter, Umm Kulthum, whom he married after Abu Bakr taking Khilafa, showing the good relations he had with Ali at the time.Mosnad Ahmed Ibn Hanbal
After Umar and Abu Bakr achieved the Bay'ah at Saqifah when the Ansar mooted their claim to nominate one of them for the Khilafa, Fatima asked Abu Bakr for her inheritance as the prophet's daughter, mainly Khaybar and Fadak, to which he responded that the prophet Mohammed said no inheritance is claimed from prophets and all their belongings should be charity, to which she was cross and would not speak with him afterwards.Balathry book "Ansab al Ashraf"
'Ali ibn Abi Talib came close to the end of the events at Saqifah day, and said to Abu Bakr: and reports that Ali gave his allegiance. This is also confirmed in "History of the Califs", and "Al-Mustadrak".Various Historical Sunni Sources
According to original books of Hadith (speeches and traditions of the prophet), Hafiz Abu Bakr al-Baihaqi relates on the authority of Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri: 'Abu Bakr ascended the pulpit and cast a glance on the people. He did not find 'Ali among them. So he sent for 'Ali and said, 'Ali replied, He immediately swore allegiance to him. Al-Baihaqi adds that Ali uttered these words or this was their purport.The historian Ibn Kathir adds in his book:
It is commonly believed by Sunni based on the above that Ali made a distance with Abu Bakr in deference to the wishes and sentiments of Fatima. He took the oath publicly six months later when Fatima had died. Ibn Kathir and other historians are of the view that the subsequent oath of allegiance by 'Ali was in confirmation of the first one. A number of reports to this effect are on record in the six authentic compilations of the Hadeeth and other books.