Fatima and Al `Abbas came to Abu Bakr, seeking their share from the property of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and at that time, they were asking for their land at Fadak and their share from Khaibar. Abu Bakr said to them, " I have heard from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, 'Our property cannot be inherited, and whatever we leave is to be spent in charity, but the family of Muhammad may take their provisions from this property." Abu Bakr added, "By Allah, I will not leave the procedure I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) following during his lifetime concerning this property." Therefore Fatima left Abu Bakr and did not speak to him till she died.
Commentary on Inheritance of Prophetic Property
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari (6725, 6726) establishes the fundamental principle that prophets do not leave inheritance behind them. Their worldly possessions are not inherited by their heirs as ordinary wealth would be, but rather become charitable endowments (sadaqah) for the Muslim community.
Scholarly Interpretation of the Hadith
The statement "Our property cannot be inherited" means that the material possessions of prophets are not subject to the ordinary laws of inheritance outlined in the Quranic chapter of Al-Faraa'id. This is a special ruling specific to the prophets of Allah.
The phrase "whatever we leave is to be spent in charity" indicates that prophetic property becomes public charity after the prophet's death, serving the general welfare of the Muslim community rather than being distributed among specific heirs.
Provisions for the Prophet's Family
While the property itself is not inherited, the family of Muhammad (ﷺ) were permitted to take their necessary provisions from this property during their lifetime. This was not considered inheritance but rather maintenance from the public treasury, similar to how state officials and their families receive sustenance from public funds.
Abu Bakr's Adherence to Prophetic Practice
Abu Bakr's firm stance demonstrates the importance of following the established sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ) without deviation, even when facing pressure from close family members. His declaration shows the commitment of the rightly-guided caliphs to preserve the prophetic tradition exactly as they witnessed it.
Legal Implications in Islamic Inheritance Law
This ruling forms an exception to the general laws of inheritance (Al-Faraa'id) and applies specifically to prophets. For ordinary Muslims, the detailed inheritance laws revealed in the Quran remain fully applicable and mandatory.