The Extent and Boundaries of Fadak

Fadak just as we have said was apparently a village near Khaibar that was flourishing and fertile, and its extents were not of that which would have been concealed from someone; but how strange when Harun al-Rashid says to Imam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.): “Clarify Fadak’s boundaries so that I may return it to youâ€‌
Imam (a.s.) refrained from giving a reply and Harun continually insisted on an answer;
Imam (a.s.) said: “I will not say so unless by its true extentâ€‌ Harun said; “What are its true boundaries?â€‌ The Imam (a.s.) replied; “If I tell its boundaries, surely you will not agree.â€‌ Harun said; “By the right of your grand-father (the Prophet (S)) I swear, so speak of its boundaries (I will give it! )
Imam (a.s.) said: “But the first boundary of that land is Aden!â€‌ When Harun heard this his countenance changed and said; “You don’t say, you don’t say!…â€‌
The Imam (a.s.) said: “And its second boundary is Samarqand!â€‌ The traces of uneasiness became more apparent in Harun’s face.
Imam (a.s.) then said: “And the third boundary is Africa!â€‌ Here! Harun’s face grew black with rage while he said; “You don’t say…!â€‌
Then the Imam (a.s.) said: “And the fourth boundary is the shores of the Caspian sea and Armenia!!â€‌
Harun said: “Then nothing remains for us, get up and come sit in my place and rule over the people, (what you have said is the entire extent of the Islamic world.)â€‌
Imam (a.s.) said: “I told you that if I determined its boundaries you would never give it.â€‌ It was at this time that Harun decided to murder Moosa ibn Ja’far (a.s.).[30]
This meaningful tradition is clear proof of the intermingling of the matter of Fadak with that of the caliphate. It shows of the Prophet’s (S) Caliph. If Harun wished to turn over Fadak he would have been forced to give up the Caliphate. This very matter made him realize it possible that wheneverImam Musa ibn Ja’far (a.s.) attained power he could pull him down from the throne of the Caliphate. Therefore he decided to murder that Hazrat.
Notes:
[30]Bihar Al Anwar, ط¨ط­ط§ط± ط§ظ„ط§ظ†ظˆط§ط± vol. 8 pg. 106
The sorrowful saga of Fadak, and the storms which encompassed this apparently small village throughout history, well show that a great plot was under way to set aside the prophet’s family (a.s.) from the scene of the government and caliphate, and to ignore the position of the Imamat and guardianship.
From the beginning and especially during the time of Bani Umayya and Bani Abbas, the players in the political scene tried to exclude the Ahl al-Bait (a.s.) in every way. They tried to take from them every privilege, which could have possibly resulted in their victory. Where conditions required it of them they used their names and titles but refrained from returning what was their due right!
We know that during the rule of Bani Abbas and Bani Umayya the extent of the Islamic world and the wealth and treasures of the public treasury were so great, as to be previously unknown of, or less known of, in the history of Islam. In view of this, the village of Fadak was very insignificant, but still devilish considerations would not permit them to return this right to its owners and put an end to this playing with Fadak.
The saga of Fadak in reality is a page in the history of Islam which shows, on one side, the rank and esteem of the Prophet’s descendents, on another side, their innocence and, on yet another, the plots which where formed by their enemies against them.