34.

Book of Virtues

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كِتَابُ الْفَضَائِلِ

Hazrat Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saying that undoubtedly Allah Almighty has made the truth flow from the tongue of Umar.

Narrated Abdullah bin Umar (RA): Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: "I saw (in a dream) as if I was drawing water from a well with a bucket tied to a rope. Abu Bakr came and drew one or two bucketfuls of water, and his manner of drawing water was very gentle (he drew very little water). May Allah forgive Abu Bakr. Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab came and drew water till the rope of the bucket got twisted up because of the large quantity of water he drew. I have never seen such a strong man amongst the people who drew so much water as 'Umar did (i.e., he drew so much water that the people could quench their thirst and they were no longer in need of the remaining water.) And the people drank of that water to their fill."

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "While I was drinking water from the well, Ibn Abi Quhafah (Abu Bakr) came and he drew one or two buckets with great difficulty - and may Allah forgive him. Then Umar ibn al-Khattab came and drew the bucket until the marks of the leather bucket were imprinted on his hands, and the people sat near the water. So, I have not seen anyone as strong as him who does such an amazing job."

Hazrat Aswad bin Hilal (R.A) narrates that a villager told him that one day I was present in Fajr prayer with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Then you (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) turned to the people with your face and said: I saw the people of my Ummah being weighed last night. So when Abu Bakr (R.A) was weighed, his scale became heavy. Then Umar (R.A) was weighed, so his side became heavy.

Hazrat Abu Salma (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "Indeed, among the people who passed away, there were some people whose opinions were correct, even though they were not prophets. So, if there is anyone among my Ummah who is like them, it is Umar (RA)."

Hazrat Qais (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted Islam, we were honored forever.

Imam Shabi (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Ali (R.A) said: We never considered it far-fetched that blessings and mercy used to speak through the tongue of Hazrat Umar (R.A).

Hazrat Aswad (RA) narrates that whenever the topic of righteous people was mentioned in front of Hazrat Abdullah, he would immediately raise the slogan of Hazrat Umar (RA).

Hazrat Tariq bin Shahab (RA) narrates that whenever the mention of the righteous and pious people was made in front of Hazrat Abdullah, he (RA) would immediately raise the slogan of Hazrat Umar.

Hazrat Zaid bin Wahab (RA) narrated that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said: Indeed, Hazrat Umar was like a fort of Islam, in which Islam entered and did not come out. So when Hazrat Umar (RA) was killed, a breach occurred in that fort. Then Islam came out of it and did not enter it again.

Hazrat Tariq bin Shahab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that on the day Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, Hazrat Umm Ayman (may Allah be pleased with her) said: "Today a gap has emerged in Islam."

Hazrat Zar (RA) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said: A man encountered Satan in an alley of Medina. So, both of them grabbed each other, then Satan was thrown down. Hazrat Abdullah (RA) was asked who that person was? He (RA) replied: Who else could it be in your opinion but Hazrat Umar (RA)?!

Hazrat Ibrahim bin Muhajir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hazrat Mujahid (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whatever opinion Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) held, the Quran would be revealed accordingly.

Hazrat Maseeb (R.A.) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) said: We, the companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him), did not used to say this as a metaphor that verily, an angel used to speak through the tongue of Hazrat Umar (R.A.).

Hazrat Wasil (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Mujahid (R.A) said: We used to say amongst ourselves that indeed Satan was shackled in chains during the era of Hazrat Umar (R.A). So when you (R.A) passed away, he was set free.

Hazrat Abu Wa'il (RA) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said: I did not have any opinion about Hazrat Umar (RA) except that it was as if an angel was between his two eyes, guiding him on the straight path.

Hazrat Zaid bin Wahab (R.A.) narrates that Hazrat Umar (R.A.) said: "Indeed, that house among the Arabs in which the calamity of the death of Hazrat Umar (R.A.) did not enter is certainly a bad house."

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that on the day Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, Hazrat Talha (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "There is no urban or rural household that has not suffered a loss."

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (R.A) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah has placed truth on the tongue and in the heart of Umar."

Hazrat Abdul Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hazrat Qabisa bin Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I have not seen anyone who knows Allah more than Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), and who reads the Book of Allah more than him and who has more understanding of the religion of Allah.

Hazrat Zaid bin Wahab (RA) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said: "I do not think that there was any Muslim household where the grief of Hazrat Umar (RA) did not enter on the day of his death, except that it must have been a bad household. Indeed, Hazrat Umar (RA) was the most knowledgeable among us about Allah Almighty, and the most reciting of the Book of Allah among us, and the most understanding among us about the religion of Allah."

Hazrat Zar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that whenever the good deeds of Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) were mentioned in his presence, he would immediately raise the slogan of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and say! Indeed, his acceptance of Islam was a support for the Muslims, and his caliphate was a victory for the Muslims. By Allah! I do not know of anything on earth except that everything felt the loss of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), even the thorny trees. By Allah! Indeed, I used to think that there was an angel between his two eyes that showed him the straight path and guided him. And by Allah! Indeed, Satan was afraid to create any mischief in Islam because Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would turn him back on it. By Allah! If I were to know that even a dog loved Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), I would start loving it too.

Hazrat Musa'b bin Sa'd (R.A.) narrates that Hazrat Mu'adh bin Jabal (R.A.) said: Verily, Umar (R.A.) is in Paradise, and whatever the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) saw in his sleep and wakefulness is true. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I was in Paradise, and I saw a house there, so I asked: 'Whose is this?' It was said: 'For Umar bin Khattab.'

Hazrat Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: I entered Paradise and saw a beautiful palace made of gold. I asked: Whose house is this? The angels said: It belongs to a young man from Quraysh. So I thought that it must be me. I asked: Which young man is he? They said: Umar bin Khattab.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "I entered Paradise and I saw a palace of gold there. I was impressed by its beauty so I asked: 'Whose is this?' And I was told: 'For Umar bin Al-Khattab.' Nothing prevented me from entering it except that I remembered your sense of honor, O Abu Hafs!" So Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) started crying and said: "O Messenger of Allah! Should I feel jealous of you?"

Hazrat Jabir (R.A.) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: When I entered Paradise, I saw a house or a palace in it. So I asked: Whose is this? It was answered: It belongs to Umar bin Khattab. Then I intended to enter it, but I remembered your jealousy. Upon this, Hazrat Umar (R.A.) started weeping and said: O Messenger of Allah! Would I be jealous of you?

Hazrat Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "I passed by a square palace with upper chambers. I asked: 'Whose palace is this?' They replied: 'It belongs to a man from the Arabs.' I said: 'But I am also an Arab. Whose palace is this?' They said: 'It belongs to a member of the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).' I said: 'I am Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Whose palace is this?' They replied: 'It belongs to Umar ibn al-Khattab.'"

Hazrat Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: I think, O Umar! Satan is afraid of you.

Hazrat Abu Hashim (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Saeed bin Jubayr (R.A) said regarding this verse of Quran { وَصَالِحُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ } : : that it refers to Hazrat Umar (R.A).

Hazrat Abu As-Saffar (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Ali (R.A) was often seen wearing a specific cloak. When asked about it, he (R.A) replied: "Undoubtedly, I (R.A) wear this cloak frequently. It was given to me by my very close, sincere, and special friend, Umar bin Khattab (R.A)." Verily, when Umar (R.A) sincerely repented to Allah, Allah accepted his repentance." Then, he (Hazrat Ali) began to weep.

Hazrat Ibn Umar (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Umar (R.A) continued to give charity from the time of the Prophet's (PBUH) death until his own death.

Hazrat Saad (R.A) narrates that Rasulullah (S.A.W) said: By the One in whose grip of power is my life, (Umar) does not walk on a path except that Shaitan leaves that path and goes on another path.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Shuqaiq (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Hazrat Aqra' (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Hazrat Khamsa (may Allah be pleased with him) had a doubt and said: I don't know whether Aqra' meant the Mu'ذن or someone else... Anyway, Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sent a messenger and summoned the chief priest. I was standing by both of them, shading them from the sun with my body. He (Hazrat Umar) asked the priest, "Is there any mention of us in your books?" The priest replied, "There is mention of your characteristics and deeds." Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "What do you know about me?" The priest replied, "I find mention of an iron horn in relation to you." The narrator says that signs of anger appeared on Hazrat Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him) face and he said, "Iron horn?" The priest said, "It means that you are a very trustworthy person." Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was very pleased with this and said, "What is mentioned about the one who comes after me?" He said, "He will be a truthful Caliph who will give preference to his close relatives." The narrator says that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "May Allah have mercy on Ibn Affan." Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) asked, "What is mentioned about the one who comes after him?" The priest replied, "There will be a very severe rift." The narrator says that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) had something in his hand which he was turning over and over. He threw it away and said two or three times, "Woe to the humiliated person!" The priest said, "O Amir al-Mu'minin! Don't say that. Surely he will be a Muslim Caliph and a righteous man. But he will be made Caliph when the sword is unsheathed and blood is shed." The narrator says that then Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) turned to me and said, "It's time for prayer."

Hazrat Samrah bin Jundab (RA) narrates that a man said: "O Messenger of Allah! Last night, I saw in a dream that a bucket descended from the sky. Then Abu Bakr (RA) came and he held it by its two edges and drank water from it while he was weak. Then Umar (RA) came, he held it by its two edges, drank water from it until he was satisfied. Then Uthman (RA) came, he also held its two edges and drank water from it until he was satisfied."

Hazrat Malik Al Dar (R.A), the treasurer in Hazrat Umar's (R.A) era, narrates that people were struck by famine during the reign of Hazrat Umar (R.A). A man went to the Prophet's (PBUH) grave and pleaded, 'O Messenger of Allah! Ask for water for your Ummah, they are perishing!' The Prophet (PBUH) appeared in the man's dream and said, 'Go to Umar (R.A) and convey my greetings. Tell him that the people are on the verge of relief. Tell him: 'Wisdom is incumbent upon you. Wisdom is incumbent upon you.' The man went to Hazrat Umar (R.A) and related the dream. Hazrat Umar (R.A) wept and said, 'O my Lord! There is no shortcoming except that I am helpless before it.'

Hazrat Shaqiq (RA) narrates that Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (RA) said: If the knowledge of all the living Arabs were to be placed on one side of a scale and the knowledge of Hazrat Umar (RA) on the other, the knowledge of Hazrat Umar (RA) would outweigh them all.

Hazrat Salem (R.A.) narrates that the people of Najran came to Hazrat Ali (R.A.) and requested: "O Amir al-Mu'minin! It would be a favor if you (R.A.) write the order with your own hand and intercede with your tongue. Hazrat Umar (R.A.) had expelled us from our land. Please send us back there." So Hazrat Ali (R.A.) said to him: "May destruction be upon you, indeed Hazrat Umar (R.A.) was firm on the right matter. And I will never change what Hazrat Umar (R.A.) had decided." Hazrat A'mash (R.A.) said: "So those people used to say, if they had even a little bit of resentment in their hearts about Hazrat Umar (R.A.), they would have definitely taken advantage of this opportunity."

Imam Shabi (R.A) narrates that when Hazrat Ali (R.A) came to Kufa, he said: I have come here to open the knot that Hazrat Umar (R.A) had tied.

Hazrat Urwa bin Zubair (R.A) narrated that Hazrat Ayesha (R.A) said: Indeed, three days before the martyrdom of Hazrat Umar (R.A), someone wept and recited these verses: (Translation) The earth with its trees of limbs is trembling at the separation of the martyr of Madinah. May Allah Almighty grant the best reward to Amir al-Mu'minin Hazrat Umar (R.A) and bless his body. If someone rides a mount and wants to repeat your deeds, they will not be able to. Your decisions are as good as the fruit of the gardens. I fear that his death will be at the hands of a cunning blue-eyed beast (Abu Lulu).

Hazrat Zaid bin Wahab (R.A) narrates: Two men came to Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (R.A). One of them said, "How do you read this verse?" Hazrat Abdullah (R.A) asked him, "Who taught you this verse?" He replied, "Hazrat Abu Hakim Al-Muzani." Then he (R.A) asked the other one, "Who taught you this verse?" He replied, "Hazrat Umar (R.A) taught me." Hazrat Abdullah (R.A) said, "You recite it as Hazrat Umar (R.A) taught you." Then he started crying until his tears fell on the pebbles. Then he said, "Verily, Hazrat Umar (R.A) was the strong and firm fortress of Islam. Islam entered it and did not leave it. So when Hazrat Umar (R.A) passed away, a gap appeared in that fortress, so it went out of it and did not enter it."

Hazrat Asim (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hazrat Abu Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) used to have a stick, with the help of which he used to walk, and he often used to say: If Allah wills, my stick will speak. He (may Allah be pleased with him) says: If Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) were a scale, then there would not be even an iota of injustice.

Hazrat Sulayman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates, "I heard Hazrat Hasan (may Allah be pleased with him) saying, 'Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him) both sent marriage proposals to a woman. Her family accepted Hazrat Mughirah's (may Allah be pleased with him) proposal and rejected Hazrat Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him), or the narrator said, they declined the proposal of Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).' Upon this, the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, 'Indeed, they left or rejected the best of this Ummah.'"

Hazrat Younus (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that Hazrat Hussain (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say about Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): By Allah, although he was not among the first to embrace Islam, nor was he the most superior among those who spent in the way of Allah, but he surpassed the people in his detachment from the world. And he was strict in matters of Allah's religion. And he did not fear the blame of any blamer in matters concerning Allah.

"Hazrat Qais bin Muslim (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Tariq bin Shahab (R.A) said: We used to say amongst ourselves that undoubtedly, Sakinah and Rahmat (peace and blessings) used to descend upon the tongue of Hazrat Umar (R.A)."

Hazrat Abu Salma (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Saad (R.A) said: By Allah! Although he was not older than us in Islam, I found him superior in everything. He was the most indifferent to the world among us. Meaning Hazrat Umar bin Khattab (R.A).

Hazrat Ismail (R.A) narrates that Hazrat Zubair (R.A) said: When the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr's (R.A) death approached, you (Hazrat Abu Bakr) sent Qasid and called Hazrat Umar (R.A) to make him the Caliph. So people started saying! You (R.A) are going to make this strict-natured person our Caliph. So if he becomes our ruler, he will become even more strict and severe. What will you (R.A) answer your Lord when you will go to Him that you made him our Caliph? You (R.A) said: Do you people fear me from my Lord?! I will answer: O Allah! I made your best servant the ruler of these people.

Hazrat Ma'ruf bin Abi Ma'ruf al-Mawsili (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, we heard a voice reciting these verses: (Translation) Every mourner of Islam should weep. He has come near to destruction. Not very long ago. The world has come to an end, and the best of the world has gone. He who believed in his promises is distressed today.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Ubaid bin Umair (R.A.) narrates that when Hazrat Umar (R.A.) was stabbed with a spear, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (R.A.) came to him and said, "O' Amir-ul-Mu'mineen! Indeed, your acceptance of Islam became a source of strength for the Muslims, and your caliphate a conquest for them. By Allah, you filled the earth with justice and fairness, so much so that if there was a dispute between two people, they would both refer their matter to you." Hazrat Umar (R.A.) said, "Make me sit down." So, the people made him sit down. He then said, "Repeat your words to me." Hazrat Ibn Abbas (R.A.) repeated what he had said. Hazrat Umar (R.A.) then asked, "Will you testify to this on the Day when you meet your Lord?" He replied, "Yes!" The narrator says, "This pleased Hazrat Umar (R.A.) very much and he was delighted."

Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to his companions, "Who among you has witnessed a funeral?" 'Umar said, "I." He said, "Who among you has visited a sick person?" 'Umar said, "I." He said, "Who among you has given charity?" 'Umar said, "I." He said, "Who among you began the day fasting?" 'Umar said, "I." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It is obligatory! It is obligatory!"

Hazrat Mujahid (RA) narrates that once Hazrat Umar (RA) passed by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) while Hazrat Ayesha (RA) was also with you (PBUH). And both of you were eating halwa. So you (PBUH) invited Hazrat Umar (RA) as well. When you (RA) put your hand along with both of them, your (RA) hand collided with Hazrat Ayesha's (RA) hand. Upon this, you (RA) said: "Oh! If my word had been heeded in the matter of her and her companions, then no eye would have been able to see her and her companions." This incident occurred before the commandment of hijab was revealed. So, upon this, the verse was revealed.