(Chapter)(1)

The Rāfidī said(2): “He disobeyed the command of the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—(3) concerning the inheritance of the Prophet’s daughter—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and denied her Fadak(4). He also assumed the title of successor(5) to the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—without having been appointed by him.”

The response is as follows:

As for the inheritance, all Muslims agree with Abū Bakr on this matter except some Shiites. This has already been discussed, and we have explained that it is established knowledge transmitted from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and that the Rāfidīs’ position is unquestionably false.

The same applies to what he mentioned concerning Fadak. The caliphs after Abū Bakr likewise held this position. Neither Abū Bakr nor ʿUmar laid claim to any part of Fadak or any other landed property, nor did they give any of it to their own families. Indeed, they gave Banū Hāshim many times that amount.

Suppose someone were to argue that ʿAlī withheld funds from Ibn ʿAbbās and others from Banū Hāshim, until Ibn ʿAbbās took some of the funds of Basra and went off with them. The only response in ʿAlī’s defense would be that he was a just leader who sought the truth and could not be suspected of wrongdoing in this matter.

This answer applies to Abū Bakr with even greater force and justification; and Abū Bakr