“Did you inherit the Messenger of Allah, or did his family?”

He replied, “No, rather his family.”

She then said (1), “So where is the Messenger of Allah’s share?”

Abu Bakr answered, “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘Whenever Allah grants a prophet a tract of land for his provision and then takes him, He assigns it to the one who comes after him.’
Accordingly, I deemed it right to return it to the Muslims.”

She said (2), “You and whatever you heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (3) have the stronger claim.”

Abu Dāwūd likewise transmitted it (4) through ʿUthmān ibn Abī Shaybah, from Muḥammad ibn Fuḍayl with this chain. The wording of this report is unusual and contains points of objection; most likely it was conveyed according to the understanding of some narrators—among whom were those inclined toward Shiʿism—so let that be noted.

The finest part of the narration is her statement: “You and whatever you heard from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.” This is (5) exactly what one would expect of her, and what befits her rank, nobility, knowledge, and piety—may Allah be pleased with her.

It appears (6) that she subsequently asked him to appoint her husband as supervisor over that charitable estate, but he did not grant the request for the reasons mentioned earlier. Because of this she felt hurt (7)—and she was a human being from the daughters of Adam who grieves as others grieve. Infallibility was not obligatory for her, especially when a clear text from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ existed and when she differed with Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq—may Allah be pleased with him and with her.

We have also been informed that Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him—sought Fāṭimah’s good pleasure and dealt gently with her before her death, whereupon she was pleased—may Allah be pleased with her.

Al-Ḥāfiẓ Abū Bakr al-Bayhaqī said (8): Abū ʿAbd Allāh al-Ḥāfiẓ informed us (9); Abū ʿAbd Allāh Muḥammad ibn Yaʿqūb narrated to us; Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb narrated to us; ʿAbdān ibn ʿUthmān al-ʿAtakī of Nīshāpūr narrated to us; Abū Ḥamzah (10) narrated to us, from Ismāʿīl ibn Abī Khālid, from al-Shaʿbī, who said:

When Fāṭimah fell ill, Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq came to visit her and sought permission to enter. ʿAlī said, “O Fāṭimah, this is Abū Bakr asking permission to enter.” She replied, “Would you like me to admit him?” He said, “Yes.” So she permitted him, and he entered seeking her reconciliation. He said, “By Allah, I did not give up my home, my wealth, my family, or my clan except in pursuit of Allah’s pleasure, the pleasure of His Messenger, and your pleasure, O People of the House.” Then he continued to appease her until she was satisfied.

This chain of transmission is sound and strong, and it appears that ʿĀmir (11) al-Shaʿbī heard it from ʿAlī, or from someone who heard it from ʿAlī.

The scholars of the Prophet’s Household have acknowledged the correctness of the ruling Abu Bakr gave in this matter. Al-Ḥāfiẓ al-Bayhaqī said (12): “We were informed….”