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{{reliable sources}}
{{Fatimah}} {{Fatimah}}
=Background= ==Background==
Immediately following the death of Prophet ], and while ] and Muhammad's daughter ] were burying him, ], ] and the leaders of ] held a secret meeting at ] to do decide who would succeed Muhammad as leader of the Muslim state, disregarding what ] believe to be the appointment of Ali by Muhammad as his successor at ].
⚫ The episode about the attack on Fatima’s house by Umar and his supporters is a subject of considerable debate between Sunnis and Shi’ites. Shi’ite historical sources not only give details about the attack, but also mention that Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, was injured in the attack and the injury resulted in a miscarriage. <ref>Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali, Hadith 4, p48-67 (English Translation)</ref> Fatima never recovered from her injuries and died soon thereafter <ref>Ibid.</ref>. As per her will, her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib, buried her in night so that Abu Bakr and Umar could not attend her funeral. <ref>The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p196, SUNY Press</ref>

⚫ ] had sent ] and a group of armed men to ]'s house to obtain Ali's allegiance, which he refused. The episode about the attack on ]’s house by ] and his supporters is a subject of considerable debate between ] and ]. Historical sources give details about the attack, and describe how Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet ], was injured, and allegedly beaten, in the attack, resulting in her miscarriage. <ref>Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali, Hadith 4, p48-67 (English Translation)</ref> Fatima never recovered from her injuries and died soon thereafter <ref>Ibid.</ref>. As per her will, her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib, buried her in night so that ] and Umar could not attend her funeral.<ref>The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p196, SUNY Press</ref>
<br /><br /> <br /><br />


=Earliest Historical Accounts= ==Earliest Historical Accounts==
Among the earliest books of History written by Muslims, the following works give credence to this event. Among the earliest books of History written by Muslims, the following works give credence to this event.


== Tarikh al-Tabari == ===History of al-Tabari===
The ] historian ], in his ] writes:

⚫ {{cquote|Umar Ibn al-Khattab came to the house of Ali. ] and ] and some of the ] were also in the house. Umar cried out: "By God, either you come out to render the oath of allegiance, or I will set the house on fire." al-Zubair came out with his sword drawn. As he stumbled (upon something), the sword fell from his hand so they jumped over him and seized him."|30px|30px|]| '']''}}

⚫ The translator’s commentary on this event provides the following background:
<blockquote> <blockquote>
⚫ ''“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." <ref>The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p186-187, SUNY Press</ref>
⚫ Umar Ibn al-Khattab came to the house of Ali. Talha and Zubair and some of the immigrants were also in the house. Umar cried out: "By God, either you come out to render the oath of allegiance, or I will set the house on fire." al-Zubair came out with his sword drawn. As he stumbled (upon something), the sword fell from his hand so they jumped over him and seized him."
</blockquote> </blockquote>


===Shahrastani===
⚫ The translator’s commentary on this event provides the following background:
] writes in his book '']'':

{{cquote|Umar kicked Fatima's stomach on the day of allegiance until she miscarried and he yelled: Burn her house and whoever is in it except Ali, Fatima, ] and ].|30px|30px|]| '']''}}

===al-Mas'udi===
], in his book ''Ithbat ul-Wasiyya'', writes:

<blockquote> <blockquote>
They attacked , burned his door and took him out by force and pressed against the door until she miscarried Muhsin.
⚫ ''“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." <ref>The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p186-187, SUNY Press</ref>
</blockquote> </blockquote>


He also writes:
== Tarikh al-Masoudi ( Muruj ad-Dhahab) ==
<blockquote> <blockquote>
While addressing the people Abu Bakr said: “…of the three mistakes that I committed, one of them is that during my time Fatima's house was broken into..” <ref>Tarikh al-Mas’udi, Volume 1-2, p 235-236, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)</ref> While addressing the people Abu Bakr said: “…of the three mistakes that I committed, one of them is that during my time Fatima's house was broken into..” <ref>Tarikh al-Mas’udi, Volume 1-2, p 235-236, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)</ref>
</blockquote> </blockquote>


===Ibn Abd Rabboh===
⚫ == Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi ==
], in his book ''Al-Iqd ul-Fareed'', writes:
<blockquote>
As for Ali, ] and Zubair, they stayed in the house of Fatima until Abu Bakr sent Umar to get them out of Fatima's house and told him: if they refuse, fight them. He took a torch to burn the house and Fatima met him and told him: are you here to burn our house? He said: yes, or you enter what the Ummah has entered (i.e swear allegiance).
</blockquote>

⚫ ===Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi===
<blockquote> <blockquote>
“..When Abu Bakr and Umar heard the news that a party of the Ansar and the Muhajirin have gathered with ‘Ali at the house of the daughter of the Prophet, they went with a group of people and attacked the house…” <ref>Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi, Volume 2, p 199, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)</ref> “..When Abu Bakr and Umar heard the news that a party of the Ansar and the Muhajirin have gathered with ‘Ali at the house of the daughter of the Prophet, they went with a group of people and attacked the house…” <ref>Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi, Volume 2, p 199, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)</ref>
</blockquote> </blockquote>


==List==
= Shi’ite Sources =
Among the people enumerated to have been included in the siege, the following are included:
⚫ Shi’ite sources not only give information about the attack but mention other details which are erstwhile missing in the earliest works of history. One Shi’ite source, Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali gives detailed description about the event.
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:4; column-count:4;">
*] <ref name=Gracious>] by ], chapter ""</ref>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
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*] <ref name=Gracious/>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
*] <ref name=Gracious/>
</div>

Among those in the besieged house are the following included:
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:4; column-count:4;">
*] <ref name=dialogue>] on Al-Islam.org </ref>
*] <ref name=dialogue/>
*] <ref name=dialogue/>
*] <ref name=dialogue/>
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*and many others <ref name=dialogue/>.
</div>

==Views==
===Shi'a view===
] wanted to defend the first ] (]) and by most accounts her words and her actions succeeded in protecting Ali from ] and his men. When she faced Umar ibn al-Khattab and his soldiers, she set an example to all ] (since she faced them as a Shi’a of Ali, not as the wife of Ali), and this action is a significant part of what has defined her role as a Shi'a and as a Muslim woman. <ref name="Shariati">]. ''].'' Tahrike Tarsile Quran' 1982 ISBN 0-940368-09-9 accessed 11 July 2006.</ref>.

⚫ Shi’ite sources recalling the attack not only give information about the attack but mention other details which are erstwhile missing in the earliest works of history. One Shi’ite source, Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali gives detailed description about the event.
<blockquote> <blockquote>
“…Then Umar told those people who had gathered around him to collect wood. They all collected and Umar himself lifted (the wood) and went to the House of Ali, Lady Fatima and their two sons (peace be upon them) and arranged wood all around the house and said in a voice loud enough to make Ali (peace be upon him) and Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) hear: “By God, O Ali come out and pay allegiance to the Caliph of the Prophet of Allah, otherwise we will burn your house.” “…Then Umar told those people who had gathered around him to collect wood. They all collected and Umar himself lifted (the wood) and went to the House of Ali, Lady Fatima and their two sons (peace be upon them) and arranged wood all around the house and said in a voice loud enough to make Ali (peace be upon him) and Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) hear: “By God, O Ali come out and pay allegiance to the Caliph of the Prophet of Allah, otherwise we will burn your house.”
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</blockquote> </blockquote>


= Opinion of Later Sunni Historians = ===Sunni view===
According to most ], this narration, though reported by leading Sunni historians, is a complete lie.
⚫ Allamah Shibli Nu’mani, the celebrated Sunni scholar writes the following in his book “Al-Faruq”, the biography of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab:
⚫ However, Allamah Shibli Nu’mani, a celebrated Sunni scholar, writes the following in his book ''Al-Faruq'', the biography of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab:


<blockquote> <blockquote>

Revision as of 16:59, 6 August 2008

Template:Fatimah

Background

Immediately following the death of Prophet Muhammad, and while Ali and Muhammad's daughter Fatimah were burying him, Abu Bakr, Umar and the leaders of Mecca held a secret meeting at Saqifah to do decide who would succeed Muhammad as leader of the Muslim state, disregarding what Shi'a Muslims believe to be the appointment of Ali by Muhammad as his successor at Ghadir Khumm.

Abu Bakr had sent Umar and a group of armed men to Fatimah's house to obtain Ali's allegiance, which he refused. The episode about the attack on Fatimah’s house by Umar and his supporters is a subject of considerable debate between Sunnis and Shi’ites. Historical sources give details about the attack, and describe how Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, was injured, and allegedly beaten, in the attack, resulting in her miscarriage. Fatima never recovered from her injuries and died soon thereafter . As per her will, her husband Ali ibn Abi Talib, buried her in night so that Abu Bakr and Umar could not attend her funeral.

Earliest Historical Accounts

Among the earliest books of History written by Muslims, the following works give credence to this event.

History of al-Tabari

The Sunni historian Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, in his Tarikh writes:

Umar Ibn al-Khattab came to the house of Ali. Talhah and Zubayr and some of the immigrants were also in the house. Umar cried out: "By God, either you come out to render the oath of allegiance, or I will set the house on fire." al-Zubair came out with his sword drawn. As he stumbled (upon something), the sword fell from his hand so they jumped over him and seized him."

— al-Tabari, Tarikh

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."

Shahrastani

Al-Shahrastani writes in his book Al-Milal wa al-Nihal:

Umar kicked Fatima's stomach on the day of allegiance until she miscarried and he yelled: Burn her house and whoever is in it except Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan and al-Husayn.

— al-Shahrastani, Al-Milal wa al-Nihal

al-Mas'udi

al-Mas'udi, in his book Ithbat ul-Wasiyya, writes:

They attacked , burned his door and took him out by force and pressed against the door until she miscarried Muhsin.

He also writes:

While addressing the people Abu Bakr said: “…of the three mistakes that I committed, one of them is that during my time Fatima's house was broken into..”

Ibn Abd Rabboh

Ibn Abed Rabboh, in his book Al-Iqd ul-Fareed, writes:

As for Ali, Abbas and Zubair, they stayed in the house of Fatima until Abu Bakr sent Umar to get them out of Fatima's house and told him: if they refuse, fight them. He took a torch to burn the house and Fatima met him and told him: are you here to burn our house? He said: yes, or you enter what the Ummah has entered (i.e swear allegiance).

Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi

“..When Abu Bakr and Umar heard the news that a party of the Ansar and the Muhajirin have gathered with ‘Ali at the house of the daughter of the Prophet, they went with a group of people and attacked the house…”

List

Among the people enumerated to have been included in the siege, the following are included:

Among those in the besieged house are the following included:

Views

Shi'a view

Fatima Zahra wanted to defend the first Imam (Ali) and by most accounts her words and her actions succeeded in protecting Ali from Umar and his men. When she faced Umar ibn al-Khattab and his soldiers, she set an example to all Shi'a Muslims (since she faced them as a Shi’a of Ali, not as the wife of Ali), and this action is a significant part of what has defined her role as a Shi'a and as a Muslim woman. .

Shi’ite sources recalling the attack not only give information about the attack but mention other details which are erstwhile missing in the earliest works of history. One Shi’ite source, Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali gives detailed description about the event.

“…Then Umar told those people who had gathered around him to collect wood. They all collected and Umar himself lifted (the wood) and went to the House of Ali, Lady Fatima and their two sons (peace be upon them) and arranged wood all around the house and said in a voice loud enough to make Ali (peace be upon him) and Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) hear: “By God, O Ali come out and pay allegiance to the Caliph of the Prophet of Allah, otherwise we will burn your house.” Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) said: “O Umar, what do you have to do with us?” He replied, “Open the door or otherwise we will burn your house.” Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) said: “O Umar, are you not afraid of Allah and are you entering our house?” Umar refused to return. He asked fire to be brought and set the door on fire, then he pushed it and entered. Lady Fatima (peace be upon her) came in front and screamed loudly: “O father, O Prophet of Allah.” Umar raised his sword with the shield and hit her on the side. She screamed, “O father.” He then lifted a whip and hit her on the hand and she cried: “O Prophet of Allah, Abu Bakr and Umar behaved very badly after you.” Ali (peace be upon him) rushed, held him by his neck and pushed him away and Umar fell down and hurt his neck and nose. Ali (peace be upon him) intended to kill him…”
Ali refrained from raising his sword against the attackers as per the will of Prophet Muhammad who had taken a promise from Ali to remain patient if he does not get enough sincere supporters for his cause.

Sunni view

According to most Sunni Muslims, this narration, though reported by leading Sunni historians, is a complete lie.

However, Allamah Shibli Nu’mani, a celebrated Sunni scholar, writes the following in his book Al-Faruq, the biography of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab:

"The learned Tabari in his Tareekh Kabir has narrated a tradition to the effect that Umar, standing at the door of Fatimah's house, exclaimed 'O daughter of the Prophet! I swear by God that we love you best of all but if your house continues any longer to be a rendezvous for conspiracy I will set fire to it on account of this."

The authority of this tradition is doubtful having not been able to glean particulars regarding its narrators, but there is no reason to deny the occurrence of this incident in the light of rationalisation. Umar was a man of hot and irrational temper and such an act would not have been inconsistent with his nature".

References

  1. Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali, Hadith 4, p48-67 (English Translation)
  2. Ibid.
  3. The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p196, SUNY Press
  4. The History of al-Tabari, Volume IX, The Last Years of the Prophet, p186-187, SUNY Press
  5. Tarikh al-Mas’udi, Volume 1-2, p 235-236, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)
  6. Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi, Volume 2, p 199, Nafees Academy, Karachi, Pakistan (Urdu Translation)
  7. ^ Fatima the Gracious by Abu Muhammad Ordoni, chapter "Attacking the House of Fatimah (AS)"
  8. ^ A Shi'i-Sunni dialogue on Al-Islam.org
  9. Ali Shariati. Fatemeh is Fatemeh. Tahrike Tarsile Quran' 1982 ISBN 0-940368-09-9 Excerpts online accessed 11 July 2006.
  10. Kitab Sulaym Ibn Qays al-Hilali, Hadith 4, p 48-67 (English Translation)
  11. Al-Faruq, Shibli Nu’mani, p 70, Azeem & Sons Publishers, Lahore, Pakistan
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