The Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying: Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The amir (ruler) who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd in charge of the inhabitants of his household and he is responsible for his flock; a woman is a shepherdess in charge of her husband's house and children and she is responsible for them; and a man's slave is a shepherd in charge of his master's property and he is responsible for it. So each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَلاَ كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ فَالأَمِيرُ الَّذِي عَلَى النَّاسِ رَاعٍ عَلَيْهِمْ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالرَّجُلُ رَاعٍ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالْمَرْأَةُ رَاعِيَةٌ عَلَى بَيْتِ بَعْلِهَا وَوَلَدِهِ وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْهُمْ وَالَعَبْدُ رَاعٍ عَلَى مَالِ سَيِّدِهِ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْهُ فَكُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to me: 'Abdul al-Rahman b. Samurah, do not ask for the position of commander, for if you are given it after asking you will be left to discharge it yourself, but if you are given it without asking you will be helped to discharge it.  

لِيَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَا عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ سَمُرَةَ لاَ تَسْأَلِ الإِمَارَةَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا أُعْطِيتَهَا عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وُكِلْتَ فِيهَا إِلَى نَفْسِكَ وَإِنْ أُعْطِيتَهَا عَنْ غَيْرِ مَسْأَلَةٍ أُعِنْتَ عَلَيْهَا  

I went along with two men to see the Prophet ﷺ. One of them recited tashahhud and said: We have come to you so that you may employ us for your work. The other also said the same thing. He (the Prophet) replied: The most faithless of you in our eyes is the one who asked for it (responsible post). Abu Musa then apologized to the Prophet ﷺ and said: I did not know why they came to you. He did not employ them for anything until he died.  

انْطَلَقْتُ مَعَ رَجُلَيْنِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَتَشَهَّدَ أَحَدُهُمَا ثُمَّ قَالَ جِئْنَا لِتَسْتَعِينَ بِنَا عَلَى عَمَلِكَ وَقَالَ الآخَرُ مِثْلَ قَوْلِ صَاحِبِهِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَخْوَنَكُمْ عِنْدَنَا مَنْ طَلَبَهُ فَاعْتَذَرَ أَبُو مُوسَى إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ وَقَالَ لَمْ أَعْلَمْ لِمَا جَاءَا لَهُ فَلَمْ يَسْتَعِنْ بِهِمَا عَلَى شَىْءٍ حَتَّى مَاتَ  

The Prophet ﷺ appointed Ubn Umm Makthum as a governor of Medina (in his absence) twice.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ اسْتَخْلَفَ ابْنَ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ مَرَّتَيْنِ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: When Allah has a good purpose for a ruler, He appoints for him a sincere minister who reminds him if he forgets and helps him if he remembers; but when Allah has a different purpose from that for him. He appoints for him an evil minister who does not remind him if he forgets and does not help him if he remembers.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ إِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِالأَمِيرِ خَيْرًا جَعَلَ لَهُ وَزِيرَ صِدْقٍ إِنْ نَسِيَ ذَكَّرَهُ وَإِنْ ذَكَرَ أَعَانَهُ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ اللَّهُ بِهِ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ جَعَلَ لَهُ وَزِيرَ سُوءٍ إِنْ نَسِيَ لَمْ يُذَكِّرْهُ وَإِنْ ذَكَرَ لَمْ يُعِنْهُ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ struck him on his shoulders and then said: You will attain success, Qudaym, if you die without having been a ruler, a secretary, or a chief.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ضَرَبَ عَلَى مَنْكِبِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ أَفْلَحْتَ يَا قُدَيْمُ إِنْ مُتَّ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَمِيرًا وَلاَ كَاتِبًا وَلاَ عَرِيفًا  

Ghalib quoted a man who stated on the authority of his father that his grandfather reported: They lived at one of the springs. When Islam reached them, the master of the spring offered his people one hundred camels if they embraced Islam. So they embraced Islam, and he distributed the camels among them. But it occurred to him that he should take the camels back from them. He sent his son to the Prophet ﷺ and said to him: Go to the Prophet ﷺ and tell him: My father extends his greetings to you. He asked his people to give them one hundred camels if they embraced Islam, and they embraced Islam. He divided the camels among them. But it occurred to him then that he should withdraw his camels from them. Is he more entitled to them or we? If he says: Yes or no, then tell him: My father is an old man, and he is the chief of the people living at the water. He has requested you to make me chief after him. He came to him and said: My father has extended his greetings to you. He replied: On you and you father be peace. He said: My father asked his people to give them one hundred camels if they embraced Islam. So they embraced Islam, and their belief in Islam is good. Then it occurred to him that he should take his camels back from them. Is he more entitled to them or are they? He said: If he likes to give them the camels, he may give them; and if he likes to take them back, he is more entitled to them than his people. If they embraced Islam, then for them is their Islam. If they do not embrace Islam, they will be fought against in the cause of Islam. He said: My father is an old man; he is the chief of the people living at the spring. He has asked you to appoint me chief after him. He replied: The office of a chief is necessary, for people must have chiefs, but the chiefs will go to Hell.  

عَنْ جَدِّهِ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا عَلَى مَنْهَلٍ مِنَ الْمَنَاهِلِ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَهُمُ الإِسْلاَمُ جَعَلَ صَاحِبُ الْمَاءِ لِقَوْمِهِ مِائَةً مِنَ الإِبِلِ عَلَى أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا فَأَسْلَمُوا وَقَسَمَ الإِبِلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَرْتَجِعَهَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَرْسَلَ ابْنَهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ لَهُ ائْتِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ أَبِي يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلاَمَ وَإِنَّهُ جَعَلَ لِقَوْمِهِ مِائَةً مِنَ الإِبِلِ عَلَى أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا فَأَسْلَمُوا وَقَسَمَ الإِبِلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَرْتَجِعَهَا مِنْهُمْ أَفَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا أَمْ هُمْ فَإِنْ قَالَ لَكَ نَعَمْ أَوْ لاَ فَقُلْ لَهُ إِنَّ أَبِي شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ وَهُوَ عَرِيفُ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّهُ يَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِيَ الْعِرَافَةَ بَعْدَهُ فَأَتَاهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي يُقْرِئُكَ السَّلاَمَ فَقَالَ وَعَلَيْكَ وَعَلَى أَبِيكَ السَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي جَعَلَ لِقَوْمِهِ مِائَةً مِنَ الإِبِلِ عَلَى أَنْ يُسْلِمُوا فَأَسْلَمُوا وَحَسُنَ إِسْلاَمُهُمْ ثُمَّ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَرْتَجِعَهَا مِنْهُمْ أَفَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا أَمْ هُمْ فَقَالَ إِنْ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يُسْلِمَهَا لَهُمْ فَلْيُسْلِمْهَا وَإِنْ بَدَا لَهُ أَنْ يَرْتَجِعَهَا فَهُوَ أَحَقُّ بِهَا مِنْهُمْ فَإِنْ هُمْ أَسْلَمُوا فَلَهُمْ إِسْلاَمُهُمْ وَإِنْ لَمْ يُسْلِمُوا قُوتِلُوا عَلَى الإِسْلاَمِ فَقَالَ إِنَّ أَبِي شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ وَهُوَ عَرِيفُ الْمَاءِ وَإِنَّهُ يَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ لِيَ الْعِرَافَةَ بَعْدَهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّ الْعِرَافَةَ حَقٌّ وَلاَ بُدَّ لِلنَّاسِ مِنَ الْعُرَفَاءِ وَلَكِنَّ الْعُرَفَاءَ فِي النَّارِ  

The Prophet ﷺ has a secretary named Sijill.  

السِّجِلُّ كَاتِبٌ كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ  

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: The official who collects sadaqah (zakat) in a just manner is like him who fights in Allah's path till he returns home.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ الْعَامِلُ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ بِالْحَقِّ كَالْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى يَرْجِعَ إِلَى بَيْتِهِ  

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying: One who wrongfully takes an extra tax (sahib maks) will not enter Paradise.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ صَاحِبُ مَكْسٍ  

Sahib maks means one who (receives) tithes (from) people.  

الَّذِي يَعْشُرُ النَّاسَ يَعْنِي صَاحِبَ الْمَكْسِ  

'Umar said: I shall not appoint a successor, for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not appoint a successor. If I appoint a successor (I can do so), for Abu Bakr had appointed a successor. He Ibn 'Umar) said: I swear by Allah, he did not mention (anyone) but the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abu Bakr. So I learnt he would not equate anyone with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, for he did not appoint any successor.  

عُمَرُ إِنِّي إِنْ لاَ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ لَمْ يَسْتَخْلِفْ وَإِنْ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَإِنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ قَدِ اسْتَخْلَفَ قَالَ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا هُوَ إِلاَّ أَنْ ذَكَرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَأَبَا بَكْرٍ فَعَلِمْتُ أَنَّهُ لاَ يَعْدِلُ بِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَحَدًا وَأَنَّهُ غَيْرُ مُسْتَخْلِفٍ  

We used to take the oath of allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ to hear and obey, and he would tell: In What I am able.  

كُنَّا نُبَايِعُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَلَى السَّمْعِ وَالطَّاعَةِ وَيُلَقِّنُنَا فِيمَا اسْتَطَعْتَ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ never touched the hand of woman, but he received the oath of allegiance from her. When he received the oath of allegiance from her, she gave it to him, and he said: Go, I have received your oath of allegiance.  

عَنْ بَيْعَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ النِّسَاءَ قَالَتْ مَا مَسَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَدَ امْرَأَةٍ قَطُّ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَأْخُذَ عَلَيْهَا فَإِذَا أَخَذَ عَلَيْهَا فَأَعْطَتْهُ قَالَ اذْهَبِي فَقَدْ بَايَعْتُكِ  

who was a Companion, reported that his mother Zainab daughter of Humain went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: Messenger of Allah, receive the oath of allegiance from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: He is Minor. He then wiped his head.  

وَكَانَ قَدْ أَدْرَكَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَذَهَبَتْ بِهِ أُمُّهُ زَيْنَبُ بِنْتُ حُمَيْدٍ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ بَايِعْهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ هُوَ صَغِيرٌ فَمَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ  

The Prophet ﷺ as saying: When we appoint someone to an administrative post and provide him with an allowance, anything he takes beyond that is unfaithful dealing.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ مَنِ اسْتَعْمَلْنَاهُ عَلَى عَمَلٍ فَرَزَقْنَاهُ رِزْقًا فَمَا أَخَذَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ غُلُولٌ  

'Umar reported me to collect the sadaqah (i.e. zakat). When I became free, he ordered to give me payment for it. I said: I have worked for the sake of Allah. He said: Take what you have been given, for I held an administrative post in the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he gave me payment for it.  

اسْتَعْمَلَنِي عُمَرُ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ أَمَرَ لِي بِعُمَالَةٍ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّمَا عَمِلْتُ لِلَّهِ قَالَ خُذْ مَا أُعْطِيتَ فَإِنِّي قَدْ عَمِلْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَعَمَّلَنِي  

Al-Mustawrid heard the Prophet ﷺ say: He who acts as an employee for us must get a wife; if he has not a servant, he must get one, and if he has not a dwelling, he must get one. He said that Abu Bakr reported: I was told that the Prophet ﷺ said: He who takes anything else he is unfaithful or thief.  

سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَنْ كَانَ لَنَا عَامِلاً فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ زَوْجَةً فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ خَادِمٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ خَادِمًا فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ مَسْكَنٌ فَلْيَكْتَسِبْ مَسْكَنًا قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أُخْبِرْتُ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ مَنِ اتَّخَذَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ غَالٌّ أَوْ سَارِقٌ  

The Prophet ﷺ appointed a man of Azd called Ibn al-Lutbiyayah (to collect sadaqah). The narrator Ibn al-Sarh said: (He appointed) Ibn al-Utbiyyah to collect the sadaqah. When he returned he said: This is for you and this was given to me as present. So the Prophet ﷺ stood on the pulpit, and after praising and extolling Allah he said: What is the matter with a collector of sadaqah. We send him (to collect sadaqah), and when he return he says: This is for you and this is a present which was given to me. Why did he not sit in his father's or mother's house and see whether it would be given to him or not ? Whoever takes any of it will inevitably bring it on the Day of Resurrection, be it a camel which rumbles, an ox which bellows, or sheep which-bleats. Then raising his arms so that we could see where the hair grow under his armpits, he said: O Allah, have I given full information ? O Allah, have I given full information ?  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ اسْتَعْمَلَ رَجُلاً مِنَ الأَزْدِ يُقَالُ لَهُ ابْنُ اللُّتْبِيَّةِ قَالَ ابْنُ السَّرْحِ ابْنُ الأُتْبِيَّةِ عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَجَاءَ فَقَالَ هَذَا لَكُمْ وَهَذَا أُهْدِيَ لِي فَقَامَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ فَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَأَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ وَقَالَ مَا بَالُ الْعَامِلِ نَبْعَثُهُ فَيَجِيءُ فَيَقُولُ هَذَا لَكُمْ وَهَذَا أُهْدِيَ لِي أَلاَّ جَلَسَ فِي بَيْتِ أُمِّهِ أَوْ أَبِيهِ فَيَنْظُرَ أَيُهْدَى لَهُ أَمْ لاَ لاَ يَأْتِي أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ بِشَىْءٍ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِلاَّ جَاءَ بِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنْ كَانَ بَعِيرًا فَلَهُ رُغَاءٌ أَوْ بَقَرَةً فَلَهَا خُوَارٌ أَوْ شَاةً تَيْعَرُ ثُمَّ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى رَأَيْنَا عُفْرَةَ إِبْطَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ اللَّهُمَّ هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ  

The Prophet ﷺ appointed me to collect sadaqah and then said: Go, AbuMas'ud, I should not find you on the Day of Judgment carrying a camel of sadaqah on your back, which rumbles, the one you have taken by unfaithful dealing in sadaqah. He said: If it is so, I will not go. He said: Then I do not force you.  

بَعَثَنِي النَّبِيُّ ﷺ سَاعِيًا ثُمَّ قَالَ انْطَلِقْ أَبَا مَسْعُودٍ وَلاَ أُلْفِيَنَّكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ تَجِيءُ عَلَى ظَهْرِكَ بَعِيرٌ مِنْ إِبِلِ الصَّدَقَةِ لَهُ رُغَاءٌ قَدْ غَلَلْتَهُ قَالَ إِذًا لاَ أَنْطَلِقُ قَالَ إِذًا لاَ أُكْرِهُكَ  

When I entered upon Mu'awiyah, he said: How good your visit is to us, O father of so-and-so. (This is an idiom used by the Arabs on such occasions). I said: I tell you a tradition which I heard (from the Prophet). I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: If Allah puts anyone in the position of authority over the affairs of the Muslims, and he secludes himself (from them), not fulfilling their needs, wants, and poverty, Allah will keep Himself away from him, not fulfilling his need, want and poverty. He said: He (Mu'awiyah) appointed a man to fulfil the needs of the people.  

مَا أَنْعَمَنَا بِكَ أَبَا فُلاَنٍ وَهِيَ كَلِمَةٌ تَقُولُهَا الْعَرَبُ فَقُلْتُ حَدِيثًا سَمِعْتُهُ أُخْبِرُكَ بِهِ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ مَنْ وَلاَّهُ اللَّهُ ﷻ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَاحْتَجَبَ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِمْ وَخَلَّتِهِمْ وَفَقْرِهِمُ احْتَجَبَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ دُونَ حَاجَتِهِ وَخَلَّتِهِ وَفَقْرِهِ قَالَ فَجَعَلَ رَجُلاً عَلَى حَوَائِجِ النَّاسِ  

The Prophet ﷺ said: It is not on my own that I give you or withhold from you: I am just a treasure, putting it where I have been commanded.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَا أُوتِيكُمْ مِنْ شَىْءٍ وَمَا أَمْنَعُكُمُوهُ إِنْ أَنَا إِلاَّ خَازِنٌ أَضَعُ حَيْثُ أُمِرْتُ  

Malik ibn Aws ibn al-Hadthan said: One day Umar ibn al-Khattab mentioned the spoils of war and said: I am not more entitled to this spoil of war than you; and none of us is more entitled to it than another, except that we occupy our positions fixed by the Book of Allah, Who is Great and Glorious, and the division made by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, people being arranged according to their precedence in accepting Islam, the hardship they have endured their having children and their need.  

مَا أَنَا بِأَحَقَّ بِهَذَا الْفَىْءِ مِنْكُمْ وَمَا أَحَدٌ مِنَّا بِأَحَقَّ بِهِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ إِلاَّ أَنَّا عَلَى مَنَازِلِنَا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ ﷻ وَقَسْمِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَالرَّجُلُ وَقِدَمُهُ وَالرَّجُلُ وَبَلاَؤُهُ وَالرَّجُلُ وَعِيَالُهُ وَالرَّجُلُ وَحَاجَتُهُ  

Zayd ibn Aslam said: Abdullah ibn Umar entered upon Mu'awiyah. He asked: (Tell me) your need, AbuAbdurRahman. He replied: Give (the spoils) to those who were set free, for I saw the first thing the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did when anything came to him was to give something to those who had been set free.  

عَطَاءُ الْمُحَرَّرِينَ فَإِنِّي رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَوَّلَ مَا جَاءَهُ شَىْءٌ بَدَأَ بِالْمُحَرَّرِينَ  

The Prophet ﷺ was brought a pouch containing bead and divided it among free women and slave women. Aisha said: My father used to divide things between free men and slave.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ أُتِيَ بِظَبْيَةٍ فِيهَا خَرَزٌ فَقَسَمَهَا لِلْحُرَّةِ وَالأَمَةِ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ أَبِي ؓ يَقْسِمُ لِلْحُرِّ وَالْعَبْدِ  

When the spoils (fai') came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he divided it that day ; he gave two portions to a married man and one to a bachelor. The narrator Ibn al-Musaffa added: We were summoned, and I would be summoned before 'Ammar. So I was summoned and he gave me two portions, for I had a family ; then 'Ammar b. Yasir was summoned after me and given one.  

أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا أَتَاهُ الْفَىْءُ قَسَمَهُ فِي يَوْمِهِ فَأَعْطَى الآهِلَ حَظَّيْنِ وَأَعْطَى الْعَزَبَ حَظًّا زَادَ ابْنُ الْمُصَفَّى فَدُعِينَا وَكُنْتُ أُدْعَى قَبْلَ عَمَّارٍ فَدُعِيتُ فَأَعْطَانِي حَظَّيْنِ وَكَانَ لِي أَهْلٌ ثُمَّ دُعِيَ بَعْدِي عَمَّارُ بْنُ يَاسِرٍ فَأَعْطَى لَهُ حَظًّا وَاحِدًا  

The Prophet ﷺ said: I am nearer to the believers than themselves, so if anyone leaves property, it goes to his heirs, and if anyone leaves debt and dependants, let the matter come to me and I shall be responsible.  

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلأَهْلِهِ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْنًا أَوْ ضَيَاعًا فَإِلَىَّ وَعَلَىَّ  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ as saying: If anyone leaves property, it goes to his heirs. And if anyone leaves dependents (without resources), they come to us.  

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مَنْ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ كَلاًّ فَإِلَيْنَا  

The Prophet ﷺ as saying: I am nearer to every believer than himself, and if anyone leaves, it goes to his heirs.  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ كَانَ يَقُولُ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَأَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَتَرَكَ دَيْنًا فَإِلَىَّ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ  

That Ibn 'Umar was presented before the Prophet ﷺ on the day of Uhud, when he was fourteen years old, but he did not allow him. He was again presented to him on the day of Khandaq (the battle of Trench) when he was fifteen years old, he allowed him.  

أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عُرِضَهُ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ فَلَمْ يُجِزْهُ وَعُرِضَهُ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ وَهُوَ ابْنُ خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ سَنَةً فَأَجَازَهُ  

Sulaym ibn Mutayr reported on the authority of his father that Mutayr went away to perform hajj. When he reached as-Suwaida', a man suddenly came searching for medicine and ammonium anthorhizum extract, and he said: A man who heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ addressing the people commanding and prohibiting them, told me that he said: O people, accept presents so long as they remain presents; but when the Quraysh quarrel about the rule, and the presents are given for the religion of one of you, then leave them alone. Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been transmitted by Ibn al-Mubarak from Muhammad b. Yasar from Sulaim b. Mutair.  

أَنَّهُ خَرَجَ حَاجًّا حَتَّى إِذَا كَانَ بِالسُّوَيْدَاءِ إِذَا أَنَا بِرَجُلٍ قَدْ جَاءَ كَأَنَّهُ يَطْلُبُ دَوَاءً وَحُضُضًا فَقَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي مَنْ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ وَهُوَ يَعِظُ النَّاسَ وَيَأْمُرُهُمْ وَيَنْهَاهُمْ فَقَالَ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ خُذُوا الْعَطَاءَ مَا كَانَ عَطَاءً فَإِذَا تَجَاحَفَتْ قُرَيْشٌ عَلَى الْمُلْكِ وَكَانَ عَنْ دِينِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَدَعُوهُ  

Mutayr said: I heard a man say: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in the Farewell Pilgrimage. He was commanding and prohibiting them (the people). He said: O Allah, did I give full information? They said: Yes. He said: When the Quraysh quarrel about the rule among themselves, and the presents become bribery, them leave them. The people were asked: Who was he (who narrated this tradition)? They said: This was Dhul-Zawa'id, a Companion of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ فَأَمَرَ النَّاسَ وَنَهَاهُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ هَلْ بَلَّغْتُ قَالُوا اللَّهُمَّ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ إِذَا تَجَاحَفَتْ قُرَيْشٌ عَلَى الْمُلْكِ فِيمَا بَيْنَهَا وَعَادَ الْعَطَاءُ أَوْ كَانَ رُشًا فَدَعُوهُ فَقِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالُوا هَذَا ذُو الزَّوَائِدِ صَاحِبُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

An expedition of the Ansar was operating in Persia with their leader. 'Umar used to send expeditions by turns every year, but he neglected them. When the expired, the people of expedition appointed on the frontier came back. He ('Umar) took serious action against them and threatened them, though they were the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. They said: 'Umar you neglected us, and abandoned the practice for which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded to send the detachments by turns.  

أَنَّ جَيْشًا مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ كَانُوا بِأَرْضِ فَارِسَ مَعَ أَمِيرِهِمْ وَكَانَ عُمَرُ يُعْقِبُ الْجُيُوشَ فِي كُلِّ عَامٍ فَشُغِلَ عَنْهُمْ عُمَرُ فَلَمَّا مَرَّ الأَجَلُ قَفَلَ أَهْلُ ذَلِكَ الثَّغْرِ فَاشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِمْ وَتَوَاعَدَهُمْ وَهُمْ أَصْحَابُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقَالُوا يَا عُمَرُ إِنَّكَ غَفَلْتَ عَنَّا وَتَرَكْتَ فِينَا الَّذِي أَمَرَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِنْ إِعْقَابِ بَعْضِ الْغَزِيَّةِ بَعْضًا  

A son of Adi ibn Adi al-Kindi said that Umar ibn AbdulAziz wrote (to his governors): If anyone asks about the places where spoils (fay') should be spent, that should be done in accordance with the decision made by Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him). The believers considered him to be just, according to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: Allah has placed truth upon Umar's tongue and heart. He fixed stipends for Muslims, and provided protection for the people of other religions by levying jizyah (poll-tax) on them, deducting no fifth from it, nor taking it as booty.  

عَنْ مَوَاضِعِ الْفَىْءِ فَهُوَ مَا حَكَمَ فِيهِ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ؓ فَرَآهُ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ عَدْلاً مُوَافِقًا لِقَوْلِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْحَقَّ عَلَى لِسَانِ عُمَرَ وَقَلْبِهِ فَرَضَ الأَعْطِيَةَ وَعَقَدَ لأَهْلِ الأَدْيَانِ ذِمَّةً بِمَا فُرِضَ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْجِزْيَةِ لَمْ يَضْرِبْ فِيهَا بِخُمُسٍ وَلاَ مَغْنَمٍ  

I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: Allah, the Exalted, has placed truth on Umar's tongue and he speaks it.  

سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَضَعَ الْحَقَّ عَلَى لِسَانِ عُمَرَ يَقُولُ بِهِ  

'Umar sent for me when the day rose high. I found him sitting on a couch without cover. When I entered upon him, he said: Malik, some people of you tribe gradually came here, and I have ordered to give them something, so distribute it among them. I said: If you assigned this (work) to some other person, (it would be better). He said: Take it. Then Yarfa' came to him and said: Commander of the Faithful, will you permit 'Uthman b. 'Affan, 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf, al-Zubair b. al-'Awwam, and Sa'd b, Abi Waqqas (to enter) ? He said: Yes. So he permitted them and they entered. Yarfa' again came to him and said: Commander of the Faithful, would you permit al-'Abbas and 'Ali ? He said: Yes. He then permitted them and they entered. Al-'Abbas said: Commander of Faithful, decide between me and this, referring to 'Ali. Some of them said: Yes, Commander of the Faithful, decide between them and give them comfort. Malik b. Aws said: It occurred to me that both of them brought the other people for this. 'Umar said: Show patience (do not make haste). He then turned towards those people and said: I adjure you by Allah by Whose order the heaven and earth stand. Do you know that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: We are not inherited whatever we leave is sadaqah (alms). They said: Yes. He then turned towards 'Ali and al-'Abbas and said: I adjure you by Allah by Whose order the heaven and earth stand. Do you know that Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: We are not inherited whatever we leave is sadaqah (alms). They said: Yes. He then said: Allah has appointed for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ a special portion (in the booty) which he did not do for anyone. Allah, Most High, said: What Allah has bestowed on His Apostle (and taken away) from them - for this ye made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry. But Allah gives power to His apostles over any He pleases ; and Allah has power over all things". Allah bestowed (the property of) Banu al-Nadir on His Apostle. I swear by Allah, he did not reserve it for himself, nor did he take it over and above you. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to his share for his maintenance annually, or used to take his contribution and give his family their annual contribution (from this property), then take what remained and deal with it as he did with Allah's property. He then turned towards those people and said: I adjure you by Allah by Whose order the heaven and earth stand. Do you know that ? They said: Yes. He then turned towards 'Ali and al-'Abbas and said: I adjure you by Allah by Whose order the heaven and earth stand. Do you know that ? They said: Yes. When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died, Abu Bakr said: I am the protector of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Then you and this ('Ali) came to Abu Bakr, demanding a share from the inheritance of your cousin, and this ('Ali) demanding the share of his wife from (the property of her) father. Abu Bakr then said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: We are not inherited. Whatever we leave is sadaqah. Allah knows that he (Abu Bakr) was true, faithful, rightly-guided, and the follower of Triuth. Abu Bakr then administered it (property of the Prophet). When Abu Bakr died, I said: I am the protector of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Abu Bakr. So I administered whatever Allah wished. Then you and this ('Ali) came. Both of you are at one, and your matter is the same. So they asked me for it (property), and I said: If you wish I give it to you on condition that you are bound by the covenant of Allah, meaning that you will administer it as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to administer. So you took it from me on that condition. Then again you have come to me so that I decide between you other than that. I swear by Allah, I shall not decide between you other than that till the Last Hour comes. If you helpless, return it to me. Abu Dawud said: They asked him for making it half between them, and not that they were ignorant of the fact the Prophet ﷺ said: We are not inherited. Whatever we leave is sadaqah (alms). They were also seeking the truth. 'Umar then said: I do not apply the name of division to it ; It leave it on its former condition.  

أَرْسَلَ إِلَىَّ عُمَرُ حِينَ تَعَالَى النَّهَارُ فَجِئْتُهُ فَوَجَدْتُهُ جَالِسًا عَلَى سَرِيرٍ مُفْضِيًا إِلَى رِمَالِهِ فَقَالَ حِينَ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ يَا مَالُ إِنَّهُ قَدْ دَفَّ أَهْلُ أَبْيَاتٍ مِنْ قَوْمِكَ وَإِنِّي قَدْ أَمَرْتُ فِيهِمْ بِشَىْءٍ فَاقْسِمْ فِيهِمْ قُلْتُ لَوْ أَمَرْتَ غَيْرِي بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ خُذْهُ فَجَاءَهُ يَرْفَأُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ لَكَ فِي عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ وَعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ وَالزُّبَيْرِ بْنِ الْعَوَّامِ وَسَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَذِنَ لَهُمْ فَدَخَلُوا ثُمَّ جَاءَهُ يَرْفَأُ فَقَالَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ هَلْ لَكَ فِي الْعَبَّاسِ وَعَلِيٍّ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَأَذِنَ لَهُمْ فَدَخَلُوا فَقَالَ الْعَبَّاسُ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْضِ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ هَذَا يَعْنِي عَلِيًّا فَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَجَلْ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْضِ بَيْنَهُمَا وَارْحَمْهُمَا قَالَ مَالِكُ بْنُ أَوْسٍ خُيِّلَ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُمَا قَدَّمَا أُولَئِكَ النَّفَرَ لِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ اتَّئِدَا ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ الرَّهْطِ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي بِإِذْنِهِ تَقُومُ السَّمَاءُ وَالأَرْضُ هَلْ تَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ قَالُوا نَعَمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى عَلِيٍّ وَالْعَبَّاسِ ؓ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكُمَا بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي بِإِذْنِهِ تَقُومُ السَّمَاءُ وَالأَرْضُ هَلْ تَعْلَمَانِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ فَقَالاَ نَعَمْ قَالَ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ خَصَّ رَسُولَهُ ﷺ بِخَاصَّةٍ لَمْ يَخُصَّ بِهَا أَحَدًا مِنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى { وَمَا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِنْهُمْ فَمَا أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ وَلَكِنَّ اللَّهَ يُسَلِّطُ رُسُلَهُ عَلَى مَنْ يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ } وَكَانَ اللَّهُ أَفَاءَ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ بَنِي النَّضِيرِ فَوَاللَّهِ مَا اسْتَأْثَرَ بِهَا عَلَيْكُمْ وَلاَ أَخَذَهَا دُونَكُمْ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَأْخُذُ مِنْهَا نَفَقَةَ سَنَةٍ أَوْ نَفَقَتَهُ وَنَفَقَةَ أَهْلِهِ سَنَةً وَيَجْعَلُ مَا بَقِيَ أُسْوَةَ الْمَالِ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى أُولَئِكَ الرَّهْطِ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكُمْ بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي بِإِذْنِهِ تَقُومُ السَّمَاءُ وَالأَرْضُ هَلْ تَعْلَمُونَ ذَلِكَ قَالُوا نَعَمْ ثُمَّ أَقْبَلَ عَلَى الْعَبَّاسِ وَعَلِيٍّ ؓ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُكُمَا بِاللَّهِ الَّذِي بِإِذْنِهِ تَقُومُ السَّمَاءُ وَالأَرْضُ هَلْ تَعْلَمَانِ ذَلِكَ قَالاَ نَعَمْ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ أَنَا وَلِيُّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَجِئْتَ أَنْتَ وَهَذَا إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ تَطْلُبُ أَنْتَ مِيرَاثَكَ مِنِ ابْنِ أَخِيكَ وَيَطْلُبُ هَذَا مِيرَاثَ امْرَأَتِهِ مِنْ أَبِيهَا فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ إِنَّهُ لَصَادِقٌ بَارٌّ رَاشِدٌ تَابِعٌ لِلْحَقِّ فَوَلِيَهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَلَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ قُلْتُ أَنَا وَلِيُّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ وَوَلِيُّ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَوَلِيتُهَا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ أَنْ أَلِيَهَا فَجِئْتَ أَنْتَ وَهَذَا وَأَنْتُمَا جَمِيعٌ وَأَمْرُكُمَا وَاحِدٌ فَسَأَلْتُمَانِيهَا فَقُلْتُ إِنْ شِئْتُمَا أَنْ أَدْفَعَهَا إِلَيْكُمَا عَلَى أَنَّ عَلَيْكُمَا عَهْدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ تَلِيَاهَا بِالَّذِي كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَلِيهَا فَأَخَذْتُمَاهَا مِنِّي عَلَى ذَلِكَ ثُمَّ جِئْتُمَانِي لأَقْضِيَ بَيْنَكُمَا بِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَقْضِي بَيْنَكُمَا بِغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ فَإِنْ عَجَزْتُمَا عَنْهَا فَرُدَّاهَا إِلَىَّ  

They i.e 'Ali and al-'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them), were quarrelling about what Allah bestowed on His Messenger of Allah ﷺ, that is, the property of Banu al-Nadir. Abu Dawud said: He ('Umar) intended that the name of division should not apply to it.  

وَهُمَا يَعْنِي عَلِيًّا وَالْعَبَّاسَ ؓ يَخْتَصِمَانِ فِيمَا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَمْوَالِ بَنِي النَّضِيرِ  

The properties of Banu al-Nadir were part of what Allah bestowed on His Apostle from what the Muslims has not ridden on horses or camels to get; so they belonged specially to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ who gave his family their annual contribution. Ibn 'Abdah said: His family (ahlihi) and not the members of his houses (ahl baitihi) ; then applied what remained for horses and weapons in Allah's path.  

كَانَتْ أَمْوَالُ بَنِي النَّضِيرِ مِمَّا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِمَّا لَمْ يُوجِفِ الْمُسْلِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ بِخَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ كَانَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَالِصًا يُنْفِقُ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَيْتِهِ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبْدَةَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ قُوتَ سَنَةٍ فَمَا بَقِيَ جُعِلَ فِي الْكُرَاعِ وَعُدَّةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ﷻ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبْدَةَ فِي الْكُرَاعِ وَالسِّلاَحِ  

'Umar said explaining the verse: "What Allah has bestowed on His Apostle (and taken away) from them - for this ye made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry" this belonged specially to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: lands of 'Urainah, Fadak, and so-and-so. What Allah as bestowed on His Apostle (and taken away) from the people of the townships - belong to Allah - to the Apostle, and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer, to the indigent emigrants, those who were expelled from their homes and their property, and to those who, before them, had homes (in Medina), and had adopted the faith, and to those who came after them. This verse completely covered all the people ; they remained no one from Muslims but he had his right in it, or share (according to Ayyub's version) except the slaves.  

عُمَرُ { وَمَا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِنْهُمْ فَمَا أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ } قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ قَالَ عُمَرُ هَذِهِ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ خَاصَّةً قُرَى عُرَيْنَةَ فَدَكَ وَكَذَا وَكَذَا { مَا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْقُرَى فَلِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَى وَالْيَتَامَى وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ } وَ لِلْفُقَرَاءِ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ وَالَّذِينَ جَاءُوا مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ فَاسْتَوْعَبَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ النَّاسَ فَلَمْ يَبْقَ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ إِلاَّ لَهُ فِيهَا حَقٌّ قَالَ أَيُّوبُ أَوْ قَالَ حَظٌّ إِلاَّ بَعْضَ مَنْ تَمْلِكُونَ مِنْ أَرِقَّائِكُمْ  

Malik ibn Aws al-Hadthan said: One of the arguments put forward by Umar was that he said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ received three things exclusively to himself: Banu an-Nadir, Khaybar and Fadak. The Banu an-Nadir property was kept wholly for his emergent needs, Fadak for travellers, and Khaybar was divided by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ into three sections: two for Muslims, and one as a contribution for his family. If anything remained after making the contribution of his family, he divided it among the poor Emigrants.  

كَانَ فِيمَا احْتَجَّ بِهِ عُمَرُ ؓ أَنَّهُ قَالَ كَانَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثَلاَثُ صَفَايَا بَنُو النَّضِيرِ وَخَيْبَرُ وَفَدَكُ فَأَمَّا بَنُو النَّضِيرِ فَكَانَتْ حُبْسًا لِنَوَائِبِهِ وَأَمَّا فَدَكُ فَكَانَتْ حُبْسًا لأَبْنَاءِ السَّبِيلِ وَأَمَّا خَيْبَرُ فَجَزَّأَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثَلاَثَةَ أَجْزَاءٍ جُزْءَيْنِ بَيْنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَجُزْءًا نَفَقَةً لأَهْلِهِ فَمَا فَضَلَ عَنْ نَفَقَةِ أَهْلِهِ جَعَلَهُ بَيْنَ فُقَرَاءِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ  

Fatimah daughter of Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent a messenger to Abu Bakr demanding from him in inheritance of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ from what Allah bestowed on him at Medina and Fadak, and what remained of the fifth of Khaibar. Abu Bakr said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ has said: We are not inherited. Whatever we leave is sadaqah. The family of Muhammad will eat from this property. I swear by Allah I shall not change it from the former condition of its being sadaqah as it was in the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. I shall deal with it as the Messenger of Allah dealt with it. Abu Bakr, therefore, refused to give anything to Fatimah from it.  

أَنَّ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ ؓ تَسْأَلُهُ مِيرَاثَهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ مِمَّا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَفَدَكَ وَمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ خُمُسِ خَيْبَرَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ إِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ مِنْ هَذَا الْمَالِ وَإِنِّي وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُغَيِّرُ شَيئًا مِنْ صَدَقَةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ عَنْ حَالِهَا الَّتِي كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَلأَعْمَلَنَّ فِيهَا بِمَا عَمِلَ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَبَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ أَنْ يَدْفَعَ إِلَى فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا  

Fatimah was demanding (the property of) sadaqah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ at Medina and Fadak, and what remained from the fifth of Khaybar. Aisha quoted AbuBakr as saying: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: We are not inherited; whatever we leave is sadaqah. The family of Muhammad will eat from this property, that is, from the property of Allah. They will not take more then their sustenance.  

أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَخْبَرَتْهُ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ قَالَ وَفَاطِمَةُ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ حِينَئِذٍ تَطْلُبُ صَدَقَةَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ الَّتِي بِالْمَدِينَةِ وَفَدَكَ وَمَا بَقِيَ مِنْ خُمُسِ خَيْبَرَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ ؓ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّمَا يَأْكُلُ آلُ مُحَمَّدٍ فِي هَذَا الْمَالِ يَعْنِي مَالَ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَزِيدُوا عَلَى الْمَأْكَلِ  

Abu Bakr refused that to her. Her said: I am not going to leave anything the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to do but I shall carry it out. I fear if I depart a little from his practice, I shall diverge (from the right path). As regards his sadaqah (property) at Medina, 'Umar had given it to 'Ali ad 'Abbas (Allah be pleased with them), and 'Ali dominated it. As for Khaibar and Fadak, 'Umar retained them. He said: They were the sadaqah (property) of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, exclusively reserved for his purposes that happened, and for his emergent needs. Their management was assigned to the one who was in authority. He said: They are in that condition to the present day.  

فَأَبَى أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ عَلَيْهَا ذَلِكَ وَقَالَ لَسْتُ تَارِكًا شَيْئًا كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَعْمَلُ بِهِ إِلاَّ عَمِلْتُ بِهِ إِنِّي أَخْشَى إِنْ تَرَكْتُ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَمْرِهِ أَنْ أَزِيغَ فَأَمَّا صَدَقَتُهُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَدَفَعَهَا عُمَرُ إِلَى عَلِيٍّ وَعَبَّاسٍ ؓ فَغَلَبَهُ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهَا وَأَمَّا خَيْبَرُ وَفَدَكُ فَأَمْسَكَهُمَا عُمَرُ وَقَالَ هُمَا صَدَقَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَتَا لِحُقُوقِهِ الَّتِي تَعْرُوهُ وَنَوَائِبِهِ وَأَمْرُهُمَا إِلَى مَنْ وَلِيَ الأَمْرَ قَالَ فَهُمَا عَلَى ذَلِكَ إِلَى الْيَوْمِ  

The Prophet ﷺ concluded the treaty of peace with the people of Fadak and townships which he named which I could not remember ; he blockaded some other people who sent a message to him for capitulation. He said: "For this you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry" means without fighting. Al-Zuhri said: The Banu al-Nadir property was exclusively kept for the Prophet ﷺ ; they did not conquer it by fighting, but conquered it by capitulation. To Prophet ﷺ divided it among the Emigrants. He did not give anything to the Helpers except two men were needy.  

عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ فِي قَوْلِهِ { فَمَا أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ } قَالَ صَالَحَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ أَهْلَ فَدَكَ وَقُرًى قَدْ سَمَّاهَا لاَ أَحْفَظُهَا وَهُوَ مُحَاصِرٌ قَوْمًا آخَرِينَ فَأَرْسَلُوا إِلَيْهِ بِالصُّلْحِ قَالَ { فَمَا أَوْجَفْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ خَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ } يَقُولُ بِغَيْرِ قِتَالٍ قَالَ الزُّهْرِيُّ وَكَانَتْ بَنُو النَّضِيرِ لِلنَّبِيِّ ﷺ خَالِصًا لَمْ يَفْتَحُوهَا عَنْوَةً افْتَتَحُوهَا عَلَى صُلْحٍ فَقَسَمَهَا النَّبِيُّ ﷺ بَيْنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ لَمْ يُعْطِ الأَنْصَارَ مِنْهَا شَيْئًا إِلاَّ رَجُلَيْنِ كَانَتْ بِهِمَا حَاجَةٌ  

Al-Mughirah (ibn Shu'bah) said: Umar ibn AbdulAziz gathered the family of Marwan when he was made caliph, and he said: Fadak belonged to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, and he made contributions from it, showing repeated kindness to the poor of the Banu Hashim from it, and supplying from it the cost of marriage for those who were unmarried. Fatimah asked him to give it to her, but he refused. That is how matters stood during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ till he passed on (i.e. died). When AbuBakr was made ruler he administered it as the Prophet ﷺ had done in his lifetime till he passed on. Then when Umar ibn al-Khattab was made ruler he administered it as they had done till he passed on. Then it was given to Marwan as a fief, and it afterwards came to Umar ibn AbdulAziz. Umar ibn AbdulAziz said: I consider I have no right to something which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ refused to Fatimah, and I call you to witness that I have restored it to its former condition; meaning in the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Abu Dawud said: When 'Umar b. 'Abd al-'Aziz was made caliph its revenue was forty thousand dinars, and when he died its revenue was four hundred dinars. Had he remained alive, it would have been less than it.  

إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ كَانَتْ لَهُ فَدَكُ فَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ مِنْهَا وَيَعُودُ مِنْهَا عَلَى صَغِيرِ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَيُزَوِّجُ مِنْهَا أَيِّمَهُمْ وَإِنَّ فَاطِمَةَ سَأَلَتْهُ أَنْ يَجْعَلَهَا لَهَا فَأَبَى فَكَانَتْ كَذَلِكَ فِي حَيَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ حَتَّى مَضَى لِسَبِيلِهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ وَلِيَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ ؓ عَمِلَ فِيهَا بِمَا عَمِلَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ فِي حَيَاتِهِ حَتَّى مَضَى لِسَبِيلِهِ فَلَمَّا أَنْ وَلِيَ عُمَرُ عَمِلَ فِيهَا بِمِثْلِ مَا عَمِلاَ حَتَّى مَضَى لِسَبِيلِهِ ثُمَّ أَقْطَعَهَا مَرْوَانُ ثُمَّ صَارَتْ لِعُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ قَالَ يَعْنِي عُمَرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ فَرَأَيْتُ أَمْرًا مَنَعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَاطِمَةَ عَلَيْهَا السَّلاَمُ لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ وَأَنَا أُشْهِدُكُمْ أَنِّي قَدْ رَدَدْتُهَا عَلَى مَا كَانَتْ يَعْنِي عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ  

AbutTufayl said: Fatimah came to AbuBakr asking him for the inheritance of the Prophet ﷺ. AbuBakr said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: If Allah, Most High, gives a Prophet some means of sustenance, that goes to his successor.  

جَاءَتْ فَاطِمَةُ ؓ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ ؓ تَطْلُبُ مِيرَاثَهَا مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ ﷻ إِذَا أَطْعَمَ نَبِيًّا طُعْمَةً فَهِيَ لِلَّذِي يَقُومُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ  

The Prophet ﷺ as saying: Do not distribute dinars among my heirs: Whatever I left after contribution to my wives and provisions for my governor is sadaqah (alms). Abu Dawud said: 'Amil means the workers or laborers on the land (i.e. peasants).  

عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ لاَ تَقْتَسِمُ وَرَثَتِي دِينَارًا مَا تَرَكْتُ بَعْدَ نَفَقَةِ نِسَائِي وَمُؤْنَةِ عَامِلِي فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ  

AbulBakhtari said: I heard from a man a tradition which I liked. I said to him: Write it down for me. So he brought it clearly written to me. (It says): Al-Abbas and Ali entered upon Umar when Talhah, az-Zubayr, AbdurRahman and Sa'd were with him. They (Abbas and Ali) were disputing. Umar said to Talhah, az-Zubayr, AbdurRahman and Sa'd: Do you not know that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: All the property of the Prophet ﷺ is sadaqah (alms), except what he provided for his family for their sustenance and their clothing. We are not to be inherited. They said: Yes, indeed. He said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to spend from his property on his family, and give the residue as sadaqah (alms). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then died, and AbuBakr ruled for two years. He would deal with it in the same manner as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did. He then mentioned a little from the tradition of Malik ibn Aws.  

سَمِعْتُ حَدِيثًا مِنْ رَجُلٍ فَأَعْجَبَنِي فَقُلْتُ اكْتُبْهُ لِي فَأَتَى بِهِ مَكْتُوبًا مُذَبَّرًا دَخَلَ الْعَبَّاسُ وَعَلِيٌّ عَلَى عُمَرَ وَعِنْدَهُ طَلْحَةُ وَالزُّبَيْرُ وَعَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ وَسَعْدٌ وَهُمَا يَخْتَصِمَانِ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ لِطَلْحَةَ وَالزُّبَيْرِ وَعَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَسَعْدٍ أَلَمْ تَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ كُلُّ مَالِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ صَدَقَةٌ إِلاَّ مَا أَطْعَمَهُ أَهْلَهُ وَكَسَاهُمْ إِنَّا لاَ نُورَثُ قَالُوا بَلَى قَالَ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يُنْفِقُ مِنْ مَالِهِ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَيَتَصَدَّقُ بِفَضْلِهِ ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَوَلِيَهَا أَبُو بَكْرٍ سَنَتَيْنِ فَكَانَ يَصْنَعُ الَّذِي كَانَ يَصْنَعُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ شَيْئًا مِنْ حَدِيثِ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ  

When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ died, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ intended to send 'Uthman b. 'Affan to Abu Bakr to ask him their cost of living from (the inheritance of) the Prophet ﷺ. Thereupon 'Aishah said: Did not the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: We are not inherited. Whatever we leave is sadaqah.  

أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ إِنَّ أَزْوَاجَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ حِينَ تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ أَرَدْنَ أَنْ يَبْعَثْنَ عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ إِلَى أَبِي بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقِ فَيَسْأَلْنَهُ ثُمُنَهُنَّ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَتْ لَهُنَّ عَائِشَةُ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ  

I said: Do you not fear Allah ? Did you not hear the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: We are not inherited. Whatever we leave is sadaqah (alms). This property belongs to the family of Muhammad for their emergent needs and their guest. When I die, it will go to him who becomes ruler after me.  

تَسْمَعْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لاَ نُورَثُ مَا تَرَكْنَا فَهُوَ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّمَا هَذَا الْمَالُ لآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ لِنَائِبَتِهِمْ وَلِضَيْفِهِمْ فَإِذَا مِتُّ فَهُوَ إِلَى مَنْ وَلِيَ الأَمْرَ مِنْ بَعْدِي