Al-Lu'lu Wal-Marjan 1149 — The Book of Al-Jihad (Fighting for Allâh's Cause)

A'isha Narrated from:

The daughter of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم , sent someone to Abû Bakr (when he was the caliph), asking for her inheritance of what Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم had left of the property bestowed on him by Allâh from the Fai (i.e. booty gained without fighting) in Al-Madîna, and Fadak, and what remained of the Khumus of the Khaibar booty.On that, Abû Bakr said, "Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said, 'Our property is not inherited. Whatever we leave, is Sadaqa (i.e. to be spent in charity) but the family of (the Prophet) Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم can eat of this property.' By Allâh, I will not make any change in the state of the Sadaqa of Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and will leave it as it was during the life-time of Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم , and will dispose of it as Allâh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم used to do."So Abû Bakr refused to give anything of that to Fâtima. So she became angry with Abû Bakr and kept away from him, and did not talk to him till she died. She remained alive for six months after the death of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم . When she died, her husband 'Alî, buried her at night without informing Abû Bakr and he performed the funeral prayer by himself.When Fâtima was alive, the people used to respect 'Alî much, but after her death, 'Alî noticed a change in the people's attitude towards him. So 'Alî sought reconciliation with Abû Bakr and gave him the Bai'a (pledge). 'Alî had not given the Bai'a during those months (i.e., the period between the Prophet's death and Fâtima's death).'Alî sent someone to Abû Bakr saying, "Come to us, but let nobody come with you," as he disliked that 'Umar should come. 'Umar said (to Abû Bakr), "No, by Allâh, you shall not enter upon them alone." Abû Bakr said, "What do you think they will do to me? By Allâh, I will go to them."So Abû Bakr entered upon them, and then 'Alî uttered Tashah-hud 11 and said (to Abû Bakr), "We know well your superiority and what Allâh has given you, and we are not jealous of the good what Allâh has bestowed upon you, but you did not consult us in the question of the rule and we thought that we have got a right in it because of our near relationship to Allâh's Messenger ﷺ. Thereupon, Abû Bakr's eyes flowed with tears.And when Abû Bakr spoke, he said, "By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, to keep good relations with the relatives of Allâh's Messenger ﷺ, is dearer to me than to keep good relation with my own relatives. But as for the trouble which arose between me and you about this property, I will do my best to spend it according to what is good, and will not leave any rule or regulation which I saw Allâh's Messenger ﷺ following, in disposing of it, but I will follow." On that, 'Alî said to Abû Bakr, "I promise to give you the Bai'a in this afternoon."So when Abû Bakr had offered the Zuhr prayer, he ascended the pulpit and uttered the Tashah-hud and then mentioned the story of ‘Alî and his failure to give the Bai‘a , and excused him, accepting what excuses he had offered. Then ‘Alî (got up) and praying (to Allâh) for forgiveness, he uttered Tashah-hud , praised Abû Bakr’s right, and said that he had not done what he had done because of jealousy of Abû Bakr or as a protest of what Allâh تعالى had favoured him with.‘Alî added, “But we used to consider that we too had some right in this affair (of rulership) and that he (i.e. Abû Bakr) did not consult us in this matter and therefore caused us to feel sorry.” On that, all the Muslims became happy and said, “You have done the right thing.” The Muslims then became friendly with ‘Alî as he returned to what the people had done (i.e., giving the Bai‘a to Abû Bakr].( Sahîh Al-Bukhârî, Hadîth No. 546, Vol. 5 )