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Contents 1 Background 2 Earliest Historical Accounts 2.1 Tarikh al-Tabari 2.2 Tarikh al-Masoudi ( Muruj ad-Dhahab) 2.3 Tarikh al-Ya’qoubi 3 Shi’ite Sources 4 Opinion of Later Sunni Historians 5 References

[edit] Background

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. ^[1] Fatima never recovered from her injuries and died soon thereafter ^[2]. 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. ^[3]

[edit] Earliest Historical Accounts

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

[edit] Tarikh al-Tabari

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."

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." ^[4]

[edit] Tarikh al-Masoudi ( Muruj ad-Dhahab)

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..” ^[5]

[edit] 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…” ^[6]

[edit] Shi’ite Sources

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.

“…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. ^[7]

[edit] Opinion of Later Sunni Historians

Allamah Shibli Nu’mani, the 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". ^[8]

[edit] References