The world is like a marketplace, where some people profit and others leave with losses. There are also those who, when they leave this world, will regret not having taken provisions for their afterlife.
This statement served as an introduction to the decision of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the Umayyad ruler, to return the land of Fadak [1] to its rightful owners after it had been seized for many years by previous rulers.
Hisham ibn Mu’adh narrates:
One day, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz entered the city of Medina and instructed his servants to invite anyone who had been wronged to come to him for justice. At that moment, he met Imam Baqir (peace be upon him). The Imam began speaking as follows:
“O Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz!
The world is like a marketplace, where some gain profit, and some leave with losses. And others, when they leave this world, will regret and be remorseful, wishing they had taken provisions for their afterlife.
Reflect on two things within yourself:
First, consider carefully what you love, which will help you attain happiness before God.
Second, be mindful of what you dislike, the things that may disgrace you before God and prevent you from crossing the Sirat (the bridge over Hell). Replace these with suitable deeds.”
“O Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, open the doors to your people and remove the obstacles. Strive to always be an ally to the oppressed, and a defender against the oppressors and aggressors.”
Then he added: “Whoever possesses three qualities, their faith is complete.”
Imam Baqir’s words were so warm and touching that Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz could not hide his eagerness.
Upon hearing these words, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz sat down with his legs folded and said: “O son of the Messenger of Allah, please tell me about these three things.”
The Imam responded:
“First, that when one is happy and joyful, they do not commit sin or wrongdoing;
Second, that when one is angry or upset, they do not forget the truth;
And third, that when one gains power, they do not exceed their limits [2].”
The Imam’s words had such a profound effect on Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz that, disregarding the actions of previous rulers, he could no longer ignore the reality. He ordered for pen and paper to be brought, and returned Fadak to the family of the Prophet (peace be upon him), as a rightful possession of the family of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) [3]. However, in the end, Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz never fully accepted the truth, and failed to return the caliphate to its rightful owners. He left the marketplace of the world with losses and regrets.
Footnotes:
[1] Fadak was a fertile region in Hijaz that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had, by divine command, gifted to Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) during his lifetime. She used its income to support a large number of the poor and needy. However, after the death of the Prophet, the rulers of the time seized Fadak from her, claiming it in the name of the government, and it remained in their control without her consent. Successive rulers continued this practice.
[2] Al-Khisal, Vol. 1, pp. 104-105
[3] Imam Baqir (peace be upon him) continued to use the income and products of Fadak for the welfare of the poor and needy as his noble grandfather, Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), had done. However, this practice was short-lived, and after Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz, the next ruler, Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik, seized Fadak again, continuing the oppressive actions of previous rulers.