Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 1147 — The Book of Al-Jihad (Fighting for Allâh's Cause)

Mâlik bin Aûs Al-Hadathân An-Nasrî Narrated from:

Once 'Umar bin Al-Khattâb رضي الله عنه called him and while he was sitting with him, his gatekeeper, Yarfâ came and said, "Will you admit 'Uthmân, 'Abdur-Rahmân bin 'Aûf, Az-Zubair and Sa'd (bin Abî Waqqâs) who are waiting for your permission?" 'Umar said, "Yes, let them come in."After a while, Yarfâ came again and said, "Will you admit ‘Alî and ‘Abbâs who are asking your permission?” ‘Umar said, “Yes.” So, when the two entered, ‘Abbâs said, “O chief of the believers! Judge between me and this (i.e. ‘Alî).” Both of them had dispute regarding the property of Banî An-Nadîr which Allâh تعالى had given to His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as Fai’ (i.e. booty gained without fighting), ‘Alî and ‘Abbâs started reproaching each other.The (present) people (i.e. ‘Uthmân and his companions) said, “O chief of the believers! Give your verdict in their case and relieve each from the other.” ‘Umar said, “Wait, I beseech you, by Allâh, by Whose Permission both the heaven and the earth stand fast! Do you know that Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘We (Prophets), our properties are not to be inherited, and whatever we leave, is to be spent in charity,’ and he said it about himself?” They (i.e. ‘Uthmân and his companions) said, “He did say it.”‘Umar then turned towards ‘Alî and ‘Abbâs and said, “I beseech you both, by Allâh! Do you know that Allâh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said this?” They replied in the affirmative. He said, “Now I am talking to you about this matter. Allâh, the Glorified favoured His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم with something of this Fai’ which He did not give to anybody else.Allâh تعالى said: ‘And what Allâh gave as ( Fai’ ) booty to His Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them, for which you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry. But Allâh gives power to His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم over whomsoever He wills. And Allâh is Able to do all things.’ (V.59:6)So this property was especially granted to Allāh's Messenger ﷺ. But by Allāh, the Prophet ﷺ neither took it all for himself, nor deprived you of it, but he gave it to all of you and distributed it amongst you till only this remained out of it. And from this, Allāh's Messenger ﷺ used to spend the yearly maintenance expenditure for his family, and whatever used to remain, he used to spend it where Allāh's Property is spent (i.e. in charity etc.). Allāh's Messenger ﷺ kept on acting like that during all his life. Then he died, and Abū Bakr said, 'I am the successor of Allāh's Messenger ﷺ'. So he (i.e. Abū Bakr رضى الله عنه) took charge of this property and disposed of it in the same manner as Allāh's Messenger ﷺ used to do, and all of you (at that time) knew all about it." Then 'Umar رضى الله عنه turned towards 'Alī and 'Abbās and said, "You both remember that Abū Bakr disposed of it in the way you have both seen and Allāh knows that, in that matter, he was sincere, pious, rightly guided and the follower of the right. Then Allāh تعالى caused Abū Bakr to die and I said, 'I am the successor of Allāh's Messenger ﷺ and Abū Bakr.' So I kept this property in my possession for the first two years of my rule (i.e. caliphate) and I used to dispose of it in the same way as Allāh's Messenger ﷺ and Abū Bakr used to do; and Allāh knows that I have been sincere, pious, rightly guided and the follower of the right (in this matter). Later on both of you (i.e. 'Alī and 'Abbās) came to me, and the claim of you both was one and the same, O 'Abbās! You also came to me. So I told you both that Allāh's Messenger ﷺ said, 'Our property is not inherited, but whatever we leave is to be given in charity.' Then, when I thought that I should better hand over this property to you both, I said to you, 'If you wish I will hand over this property to you both, on the condition that you will promise and pledge before Allâh that you will dispose of it in the same way as Allâh's Messenger ﷺ and Abû Bakr did and as I have done since the beginning of my caliphate, or else you should not speak to me (about it).' So, both of you said to me, 'Hand it over to us on this condition.' And on this condition I handed it over to you. Do you want me now to give a decision other than that (decision)? By Allâh, with Whose Permission both the heaven and the earth stand fast, I will never give any decision other than that (decision) till the Last Hour is established. But if you are unable to manage it (i.e. that property), then return it to me, and I will manage on your behalf." ( Sahîh Al-Bukhâri, Hadîth No.367, Vol. 5 )