Friday, 18 December 2015

Umar didn’t know which Surahs were recited on Eid days

 It is narrated from Ubaidah that: Umar came out from his house to lead the Eid prayer and summoned Abu Waqid Laithi and asked:

“Which chapter of Quran did the Prophet recite on such days?”

Laithi replied: “Surah Qaf and Surah Qamar.”


[Saheeh Muslim, 1:242 [2/415, H. 534]; Sonanul Kubraa, Nasai, 3:184 [1/546, H. 1773]; Sunan, Baihaqi, 3:294]

Ijtehaad of Umar regarding names and agnomens

1. It is narrated from Zaid bin Aslam from his father that Umar bin Khattab scolded his son, because his agnomen was Abu Isa. The agnomen of Mughira bin Shoba was also Abu Isa.

Umar said to him: Why did you not give yourself the agnomen of Abu Abdullah? He replied: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) kept my agnomen as Abu Isa.

Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) has forgiven past and future sins, but we are responsible for ourselves.  After that he used to address him as Abu Abdullah till he was killed.

[Sonan Abu Dawood, 2:309 [4/291, H. 4963]


2. Wife of Ubaidullah Ibne Umar came to Umar and complained: “O chief of believers, will you not save me from Abu Isa?”
Umar asked: “Who is Abu Isa?”

The wife said: “Your son, Ubaidullah.”

Umar said: “Woe be on you, how can you call him Abu Isa?”

And he summoned his son and asked: “Woe be on you, have you adopted the agnomen of Abu Isa?”

He warned and threatened him; after that he bit his hand till he screamed. Then he beat him up and said: “Woe be on you, did Isa have a father? Can’t you have agnomens, which Arabs adopt? Like Abu Salma, Abu Hanzala, Abu Arfata and Abu Murra.”

[Sharh Nahjul Balagha, 3:104 [12/44, Sermon 223].


3. Umar wrote to the people of Kufa: “Do not name anyone on names of prophets;” and commanded the residents of Medina to change the names of their sons if they were named Muhammad, till some companions of Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself had permitted them to name their sons as Muhammad. At that time he left them alone.


[Umdatul Qari, 7:143 [15/39]

Writing of the Sunnah

It is narrated from Urwah that:

“Umar decided to write and record the Sunnah of Prophet. He sought advice of companions of Prophet and they said that it was advisable. But Umar continued to draw Istikhara [and prayed to God to show him the right path]. Till once day he gave up his intention and said:

‘I had decided to record in writing, the reports and traditions of Prophet, but when I studied histories of previous nations, I saw that people before had written books and they became engrossed in those books and abandoned the Book of God. By God, I will never mix the Book of God with another thing.’

Some people also followed the practice of the Caliph as opposed to Sunnah of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and prohibited writing and narration of traditions.


[Sonan Darami, 1:125; Mustadrak Hakeem, 1:104-106 [1/186-187, H. 357-359]; Mukhtasar Jaameul Ilm, 36-37 [Pg. 68-72, H. 61-63]

Viewpoint of Umar regarding query about future

Tawus says: Umar said from the pulpit:
“By God, I would deal harshly with one, who makes inquiries about future, because God has only mentioned about what is present.”4

[Sonan Darimi, 1:50; Jami Bayanul Ilm, 2:141 [Pg. 372, H. 1807].

He also said: “It is not lawful to make inquiries about what has not yet come to pass, because Allah, the Mighty and the High has only mentioned and revealed commands about the present.”

He also said: “I shall deal harshly with your queries about the future and what is there for us is sufficient; and it has kept us sufficiently occupied.”

“One day, a person came to Ibne Umar and asked about something, which I don’t what it was. Ibne Umar said: Don’t ask about what has not yet happened, because I heard from Umar bin Khattab cursing one, who inquired about future.”


[Sonan Darimi, 1:50; Kitabul Ilm, Abu Umar, 2:143 [Pg. 369, H. 1794]; and its Mukhtasar, 190 [Pg. 326, H. 232]; Fathul Bari, 13:225 [13/226]; Kanzul Ummaal, 2:174 [3/839, H. 8906]

Prohibition of Umar regarding traditions

It is mentioned in the text of Tabari that:
“Umar often said: Read only the Quran, which is written on skin and do not interpret it and narrate minimum traditions from the Prophet, as long as I am present among you.”

[Sharh Ibne Abil Hadeed, 3:120 [12/93, Sermon 223]

Tibrani has narrated from Ibrahim bin Abdur Rahman that:
“Umar imprisoned three persons: Ibne Masud, Abu Darda and Abu Masud Ansari and said: You narrate too many traditions from the Prophet, and he confined them in Medina till they were martyred.”
[Tazkeratul Huffaaz, Zahabi, 1:7 [No. 2); Majmauz Zawaaed, 1:149 and the writer of gloss on this book has regarded it as authentic and said: This matter is narrated from Umar through many authentic chains and Umar was dead against the narration of traditions]


Dhahabi has narrated from Abu Salma in Tadhkira that they asked Abu Huraira:
“Did you narrate so many traditions during period of Umar?”

Abu Huraira replied: “If I have narrated as many traditions during period of Umar, I would have definitely been lashed.”

Abu Huraira says: “As long as Umar was alive, I was not able to say: Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said…”


[Tazkeratul Huffaaz, Zahabi, 1:7]

Ijtehaad of Umar regarding difficult questions on Quran

1. It is narrated from Anas that: “Umar bin Khattab beat up Sabigh Kufi so severely that his back became bloody only because of his query regarding a letter of Quran.”

It is narrated from Zuhri that Umar beat up with lash Sabigh, as he made excessive inquiries regarding letters of Quran and his back started bleeding.
                                         
[Sunan Darimi, 1:54 & 55; Tareekh Ibne Asakir, 6:384 [23/411, No. 2846 & Mukhtasar Tareekh Damishq, 11/46]; Seerah Umar, Ibne Jauzi, 109 [Pg. 117]; Durre Mansoor, 6:111 [7/614].

Ghazzali says in Ihyhaul Uloom: Umar was one, who closed the path of argumentation, scholasticism and debates and he lashed Sabigh, drove him away and also asked people not to go near him as he had asked him about disparity between two verses of Quran.

[Ehyaaul Uloomudeen, 1:30 [1/28].

2. Abdur Rahman bin Yazid says: A man asked Umar about the verse:
“And fruits and herbage”  (Surah Abasa 80:31)

When Umar saw that they were talking about this, he went towards them with a whip.

[Fathul Bari, 13:230 [13/371]; Durre Mansoor, 6:317 [8/422].

Umar's viewpoint about fast of Rajab

It is narrated from Kharsha bin Hurr that he said:
“I saw Umar bin Khattab beating up some people, who kept fasts during month of Rajab to such an extent that they broke their fasts; and said: Rajab? What is Rajab? Rajab is month, which the people of Jahiliyya used to regard as important. When Islam arrived it was given up.”


[Ibne Abi Shaibah has mentioned this report [in Musannaf, 3/102] and Tibrani has also mentioned it in Awsat. As is mentioned in Majmauz Zawaaed, 3:191 and Kanzul Ummaal, 4:341 [8/635, H. 24580].

Umar’s viewpoint regarding Majus

Yahya bin Saeed has narrated through his chains of authorities from Umar bin Khattab that he said: “I don’t know how to deal with Zoroastrians (Majus), who are not People of the Book.” It is mentioned in another version: “I don’t know what to do about them.” Abdur Rahman bin Auf said: I heard from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that he said: “Deal with them like People of Book.” It is narrated from Bajala that he said: “Umar did not collect Jizya from Majus till Abdur Rahman bin Auf testified that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) collected Jizya from the Majus of Hajar.”


[Al-Amwal, [Pg. 40, H. 77]; Muwattah, Malik, 1:270 [1/278, H. 42]; Saheeh Bukhari, [3/1151, H. 2987]; Musnad Ahmad, 1:190 [1/312, H. 1660].

Umar’s viewpoint regarding Baitul Maqdas

It is narrated from Saeed bin Musayyab that a man sought permission from Umar bin Khattab to visit Baitul Maqdas.

Umar said: “Go and make preparations and when you are ready, inform me.” When that man was ready, he came to Umar and Umar said: “Instead of traveling there. Go to Mecca and perform the Hajj and Umrah.” He also says: “When Umar was engrossed in receiving Zakat of camels, two persons approached him; he asked: “Where do you come from?” They replied: “From Baitul Maqdas.” Umar raised his whip and said: “Is there a Hajj pilgrimage other than pilgrimage to the House of Allah?” They were terrified and said: “We passed by from there.”

[Azraqi has mentioned this in Akhbare Makkah, 2/63. It is also mentioned in Kanzul Ummaal, 7:157 [4/146, H. 38194]

Fixed time marriage

1. It is narrated from Jabir bin Abdullah that: “We used to contract Fixed time marriage with women during lifetime of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and Abu Bakr and even during a long time in the tenure of Umar, in exchange for a handful of dates or flour for a few days, till Umar prohibited it in the incident of Amr bin Huraith.”

[Saheeh Muslim, 1:395 [3/194, H. 16, Kitabun Nikah]; Jaameul Usul, Ibne Asir, [12/135, H. 8953]; Kanzul Ummaal, 8:294 [16/523, H. 45732].

2. Hakam says: Ali (a.s.) said: “If Umar had not prohibited Fixed time marriage, no one would have committed fornication, except one who is absolutely wretched.”


[Tafseer Tabari, 5:9 [Jaameul Bayan, No. 4/ Vol. 5-13]; Tafseer Kabeer, 3:200 [10/50]; Durre Mansoor, 2:140 [2/486]

3. It is narrated from Ibne Jarih from Ataa that: I heard Ibne Abbas say: “May God have mercy on Umar, Fixed time marriage is nothing, but a divine mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad; and if Umar had not prohibited it, only a very few persons would have committed fornication.”

[Ahkamul Quran, Jassas, 2:179 [2/147]; Durre Mansoor, 2:140 [2/487]

4. Umar said: “By God, I will one leave one, who regards Fixed time marriage (Mutah) as lawful, but that I will have him stoned.”

[This report is mentioned Bani Umayyah Sibte Ibne Jauzi in Miratuz Zaman]

It is narrated from Nafe from Abdullah bin Umar that he was asked regarding Fixed time marriage (Mutah). He replied: “It is unlawful. Know that if Umar bin Khattab apprehended anyone in this act, he invariably had him stoned to death.”


[Sonanul Kubraa, Baihaqi, 7:206.]

Hajj-e-Tamatto

1. It is narrated from Abu Rijaa that Imran bin Husain said: “The verse of Hajj-e-Tamatto was revealed in Quran and following it the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) ordered us to act upon it. And after that neither any verse was revealed abrogating it, nor the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) prohibited it till he passed away. On the contrary, a man according to his wish, issued an opinion.”

[Saheeh Muslim, 1:474 [3/71, H. 172, Kitabul Hajj]; also Ref: Saheeh Muslim [3/71, H. 169- 171, Kitabul Hajj]; Qurtubbi has also mentioned it in the same words in his Tafseer, 2:365 [2/258]. Also refer to Saheeh Bukhari, 3:151 [2/569, H. 1496], published 1272 A.H. am Saheeh Bukhari, Kitabul Tafseer, Surah Baqarah, 7:24 [4/1642, H. 4246], published 1277 A.H]

It is mentioned in some copies of Saheeh Bukhari that Muhammad Bukhari said: ‘That person’ implies Umar.

Qastalani says in Irshad:  “Since it was he (Umar), who prohibited it.”
[Irshadus Sari, [10/61, H. 4518]

Ibne Kathir in his Tafseer,  quoting from Bukhari, says: “This issue, which Bukhari has said in concealed manner, in another place, he has clearly mentioned that Umar forbid Hajje Tamatto.”
[Tafseer Ibne Kaseer, 1:223]

2. It is narrated from Abu Moosa that he issued verdict for the lawfulness of Hajje Tamatto.

A person said to him: Exercise restraint in delivering some of your religious verdicts, for you do not know what the Commander of Believers has introduced in the rites (of Hajj) after you (when you were away in Yemen).

He (Abu Moosa) met him (Umar) subsequently and asked him (about it), whereupon Umar said: I know that Allah’s Apostle (s.a.w.a.) and also his companions did that (observed Tamatto’), but I do not approve that married persons should have intercourse with their wives under the shade of the trees, and then set out for Hajj with water trickling down from their heads.”

[Saheeh Muslim, 1:472 [3/67, H. 157, Kitabul Hajj]; Sonan Ibne Majah, 2:229 [2/992, H. 2979]; Musnad Ahmad, 1:50 [1/81, H. 353]; Sonanul Kubraa, 5:153 [2/348, H. 3715]

3. It is narrated from Saalim that: “I was seated in the Masjid with Ibne Umar when a Syrian arrived and inquired about Hajje Tamatto. Ibne Umar said: “It is a good thing.”
The Syrian said: “Your father prohibited it?”

Ibne Umar said: “Woe upon you, my father may have prohibited it, but the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself acted upon it and commanded it. Should I act on the orders of my father or on the commands of the Prophet? Arise and go away from here.”

[Tafseer Qurtubbi, 2:365 [2/258] quoting from Darqutni]

4. It is narrated from Ibne Abbas that he said to someone, who argued with him regarding Hajje Tamatto through the acts of Abu Bakr and Umar: “It is near that a stone would crash on your head from heavens. I am saying: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said this and you are saying: Abu Bakr and Umar said such and such?”


[ Zaadul Maad, Ibne Qayyim, 1:215 [1/209]; gloss on Sharahul Mawahib, 2:328]

Taking permission from Ayesha

It is narrated from Amr bin Maimoon that: Umar bin Khattab said to his son, “Abdullah: Go to Ayesha, mother of believers and say: Umar conveys his greetings to you – and don’t say ‘chief of believers’, because today I am not the chief of believers – and seeks your permission for my burial besides Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and his friend, Abu Bakr.”

Abdullah went to Ayesha and greeted her and sought permission to enter. When he entered, he saw Ayesha weeping and said: “Umar conveys greetings to you and asks your permission for burial besides Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and Abu Bakr.”

Ayesha said: “I myself wanted to be buried at that place, but now I prefer him over myself.” So, 

Abdullah returned from there. When people saw him, they remarked: Abdullah has returned.

Umar said: “Raise me up.” People helped him to rise up. Umar asked: “What happened?”

Abdullah replied: “Permission is granted for what the chief of believers requested.”

Umar said: “Praise be to Allah, nothing was more important to be than this place of burial; thus, when I pass away, carry my body there and if Ayesha changes her view and prevents the burial, take me to the cemetery of Muslims and bury me there.”


[Saheeh Bukhari, 2:263; and 5:226 [1/469, H. 1328; and 3/1355, H. 3497]

Umar’s view about non-Arabs

 Malik – the leaders of the Malikis – has narrated from a trustworthy person that he heard from Saeed bin Musayyab that:

“Umar bin Khattab deprived the non-Arabs from inheritance, except that he or she should be born among the Arabs.”

Malik says: If a pregnant woman comes from enemy land to Arab lands and she delivers the child there, it would be regarded as her child and if she dies that child would inherit her, and if the child dies, the mother would inherit from it, and its inheritance is specified in the Book of Allah.


[Muwattah Malik, 2:12 [2/520, H. 14, Kitabul Faraid]

“O Abul Hasan, may God not put me in a difficulty, where you are not there to solve it.” - Umar

It is narrated by Ibne Abbas that: “The case of Bughr Naji was brought to Umar bin Khattab. He went up and down; became anxious and nervous. In other words, no matter how much he tried, he could not solve it. Till he summoned the companions and mentioned the problem to them and asked them to solve it.

They said: ‘O chief of believers, you are the refuge and point of reference.’

Umar was infuriated and he said: ‘Have fear of God and say that, which may be beneficial to you.’

They said: ‘Chief of believers, we don’t have the reply to your question.’

Umar said: ‘But, I know someone, who is the source of wisdom and who can solve all difficulties. And he knows the perfect solution to this problem.’

They said: ‘Perhaps you imply the son of Abu Talib?’

He replied: ‘Yes, by God, has any free woman ever given birth to a son like him and has brought such a perfect man in this world? Come let us go and consult him.’

They asked: ‘Do you want to approach him? Let it be, he would come to you.’
Umar said: ‘Never! Don’t you know that in that house is a branch and section of Bani Hashim and a branch and section of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) and a sign of knowledge and it is necessary to go towards him. He does not go to anyone, and wisdom is taken from his house, so let us hasten to his place.’

In the company of Umar, they went to His Eminence and saw him seated against a wall, reciting the verse:
 “Does man think that he is to be left to wander without an aim?”   (Surah Qiyamah 75:36)

He was repeating it and weeping. Umar said to Shuraih: ‘Mention the issue to Abul Hasan.’
Shuraih said: I was a judge, when this person came to me and entrusted to me a woman, who was married at a heavy dower and another female, who was a slave mother, and said: “Provide ration to them till I return.”

On the first night, both women delivered a child each. One gave birth to a male and another to a female; and both claimed a higher inheritance. Each claiming that the male child was hers and each of them disowned the female child.

Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) asked: How did you judge between them?

Shuraih said: If I had been able to judge between them, we would not have approached you.

Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) picked up a straw and showed it to Shuraih, saying: The solution to this enigma is simpler than this straw. Then he asked for a vessel, and told one of the women: Put a little of your breast milk in this, which he weighed and then asked the second woman to put her milk, which was also weighed and found that the milk of one of them was twice heavier than the milk of the other.

His Eminence (a.s.), told the second woman: Pick up your daughter and said to the first one: You may also take your son.

Then he asked Shuraih: Do you not know that the weight of the milk of a female child is half in weight to that of the male? And the inheritance of female is also half that of a male? And that her intellect is half that of male? And her testimony is also half that of male? And her blood money is also half that of a male? And in all matters she is half that of male?

Umar was absolutely bewildered; he said: O Abul Hasan, may Allah not put me in a problem, where 
you not present to solve it and may He not put me in a town, where you are not present.”

[Kanzul Ummaal, 3:179, [5/830, H. 14508]

Reducing the penalty of a drunkard

It is narrated from Abu Rafe that they brought a drunkard to Umar.

Umar said: “I am sending you to a person, who would be severe with you and he will not leave you easily.” Then he sent him to Muti bin Aswad Adawi and said: Apply the punishment on him tomorrow morning.

The following morning when Muti was busy in carrying out the orders Umar arrived and saw that he was lashing hard. Umar said: “You have almost killed him. How many lashes have you delivered so far?” “Sixty,” he replied.

Umar said: “Reduce twenty lashes (from eighty).” Abu Ubaidah says: It means that the severity of lashes was considered in lieu of the remaining twenty lashes.


[Sunanul Kubraa, 8:317; Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, 3:133 [12/136, Sermon 223]

Sacrifice and deduction of the Umar

It is narrated from Huzaifah bin Usaid that: “Abu Bakr and Umar, fearing that lest the sacrifice should be attributed to someone else, did not offer sacrifice from their families; but my family learnt about Sunnah of Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and compelled me to take the trouble to present sacrifice from their side.”

[Al-Mojamul Kabeer, Tibrani, [3/182, H. 3058].

Shafei says in his Al-Umm:  “It has reached us that Abu Bakr and Umar refrained from sacrificing, lest people follow them thinking that it was obligatory.” “It is narrated from Shobi that Abu Bakr and Umar participated in rituals of Hajj, but did not slaughter animals.”

[Kanzul Ummaal, 3:45 [5/219, H. 12664]

Umar's behaviour in presence of Holy Prophet (s.a.)

 It is narrated from Ibne Abbas that: “When Zainab, daughter of Prophet, passed away, Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: Join her with our righteous one, Uthman bin Mazun, who has passed away. So the ladies began to lament and Umar beat them with a lash.

Suddenly the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) caught his hand and said: ‘Umar, stop this and allow them to lament.’

He also told the ladies: ‘Don’t make satanic statements when you lament.’

Then Ibne Abbas says: The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) wept at the side of the grave along with Fatima and His Eminence (s.a.w.a.) wiped Fatima’s tears with his garment.”


[Musnad Ahmad, 1:335-337 [1/393, 551, H. 2128 & 3093]; . Mustadrak Alas Saheehain, 3:190 [3/210, H. 48691 and he has regarded this report as authentic]

Umar use to beat up people without any reason

Ibne Asakir has narrated from Akrama bin Khalid that: “A son of Umar bin Khattab dressed up in nice garments and went to see Umar. When Umar noticed this, he suddenly began to lash him with whip or a stick and he started weeping.

Hafasa asked: Why are you beating him Father?

Umar replied: I saw that he had become conceited, so I wanted to degrade his self.”

Taareekhul Kholafa, 96 [Pg. 133]

Umar ’s view regarding the relics of the prophets

It is narrated from Maroor that:
 “I performed the pilgrimage of the House of God in company of Umar. In the Morning Prayer, he recited Surah Feel and Surah Quraish. When the prayer ended, people looked at the Masjid and gathered there. Umar asked: What place is this?
They replied: It is the Masjid, in which the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) prayed.
Umar said: Before you, the People of the Book did the same and they were destroyed, because they build churches at the locations of the relics of prophets. When it is time of prayer, you may pray there or just pass by [and this Masjid has no specialty that you should seek benediction from it].”


[Seerah Umar, Ibne Jauzi, 107 [Pg. 116]; Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, 3:122 [12/101, Sermon 223], here instead of Maroor, Mughira bin Suwaid is mentioned; Fathul Bari, 1:450 [1/569].

Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Viewpoint of Umar regarding the tree of Rizwan

0It is narrated from Nafe that: People went to the tree of allegiance of Rizwan, under which they had paid allegiance to the Prophet, in order to pray and seek benediction from it.


Umar was informed of this and he warned the people to desist. Then he ordered that tree to be removed.


(Tabaqatul Kubra, Ibne Saad, 607 [2/100]; Tareekh Umar bin Khattab, Ibne Jauzi, 107, [Pg. 115])



Ibne Abil Hadeed has mentioned this in Sharh, and he says:

“After the passing away of Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), people went to the tree of the allegiance of Rizwan and prayed there. Umar said:


 ‘O people, I see that you have worshipped the idol of Uzza! Know that after this, if anyone does this again I would strike off his head as punishment for apostasy.’ After that he ordered them to cut off the tree.”

(Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, 1:60 [1/78, Sermon. 3])

All even elderly ladies are more knowledgeable than Umar

When Umar returned to Medina from Shaam, he went among the people to learn about their condition, he passed by the tent of an aged lady.

He went to her and she asked: “O man, what has Umar achieved?” Umar replied: “He has just returned from Shaam.”

She said: “May God not keep him secure.”

Umar asked: “Woe on you, why?”

She replied: “Because since he came on the seat of Caliphate, till now, by God, I have not received any stipend from him.”

Umar said: “Woe upon you, how can Umar know about your condition, while you are living in this remote place?”

The old woman said: “How nice of a person to be the ruler when he does not know what goes in his kingdom!”

He (the narrator) says: Umar came out from there while wailing: “Woe on Umar! Woe upon him for the complaints. O Umar all are more knowledgeable than you.” It is mentioned in another report: “O Umar, all are knowledgeable, except you; even old ladies.”

(Riyazun Nazara, 2:57 [2/332]; Al-Futuhatul Islamiyya, 2:408 [2/261]; Nurul Absar, 65 [Pg. 133])

Umar's view regarding the thief

It is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Ayez that a thief with an amputed hand and a foot was brought to Umar. He ordered them to cut off his foot. Ali (a.s.) said: Allah, the Mighty and Sublime says:


"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,”  (Surah Maidah 5:33)


Now his one hand and one foot was amputed, so it is not proper that his another foot, with which he moved about, should also be amputed and that he should be left without any foot. Instead, he should be lashed or imprisoned. So, he was made a prisoner.
(Kanzul Ummaal, 3:118 [5/553, H. 13928]) 

Umar's verdict regarding human fingers

Saeed bin Musayyab says: Umar bin Khattab fixed 13 percent of the whole blood money for the thumb; 12 percent for the index finger, 10 percent for middle finger, 9 percent for the finger next to it and 6 percent for the small finger.


It is narrated from Abu Ghatfan that: Ibne Abbas said: The blood money of each finger is one-tenth. (that is one-tenth of blood money of a complete man). Marwan came to know about the verdict of Ibne Abbas. He summoned him and asked:



“O Ibne Abbas, why do you give uniform verdict about fingers? Have you not heard the verdict of Umar?”



Ibne Abbas said: “May God forgive Umar; the statement of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) is having precedence over the decision of Umar.”



(Kitabul Umm, Shafei, 1:58 & 134 [1/151]; Sonan Baihaqi, 8:93)

                  

Umar’s opinion regarding the slain from the People of Book

The following incident is narrated from Mujahid:

When Umar bin Khattab entered Shaam, he learnt that a Muslim man had slain a person from the People of Book.

So Umar decided to take retaliation from him.

At this point Zaid bin Thabit asked: “Do you want to take retaliation from your brother for the sake of your slave?

So instead of taking retaliation from him, Umar paid him blood money.

(Al-Musannaf, Abdul Razzaq, [10/100, H. 18509]; Kanzul Ummaal, 7:304 [15/97, H. 40242]) 

Umar's viewpoint about retaliation

 It is narrated from Ibne Abi Husain that: 

“A man hit at the head of a person from the People of the Book. Umar bin Khattab decided to take retaliation from him. 

Maaz bin Jabal asked: ‘Do you know that you have no right to this? 

And it has come down from the Prophet.’ So Umar bin Khattab gave a dinar to that man and he was satisfied.”

(Kanzul Ummaal, 7:304 [15/97, H. 40243)

Umar's viewpoint about retaliation

 It is narrated from Ibne Abi Husain that: 

“A man hit at the head of a person from the People of the Book. Umar bin Khattab decided to take retaliation from him. 

Maaz bin Jabal asked: ‘Do you know that you have no right to this? 

And it has come down from the Prophet.’ So Umar bin Khattab gave a dinar to that man and he was satisfied.”

(Kanzul Ummaal, 7:304 [15/97, H. 40243)

Umar's viewpoint about retaliation

 It is narrated from Ibne Abi Husain that: 

“A man hit at the head of a person from the People of the Book. Umar bin Khattab decided to take retaliation from him. 

Maaz bin Jabal asked: ‘Do you know that you have no right to this? 

And it has come down from the Prophet.’ So Umar bin Khattab gave a dinar to that man and he was satisfied.”

(Kanzul Ummaal, 7:304 [15/97, H. 40243)

Umar's viewpoint about retaliation

 It is narrated from Ibne Abi Husain that: 

“A man hit at the head of a person from the People of the Book. Umar bin Khattab decided to take retaliation from him. 

Maaz bin Jabal asked: ‘Do you know that you have no right to this? 

And it has come down from the Prophet.’ So Umar bin Khattab gave a dinar to that man and he was satisfied.”

(Kanzul Ummaal, 7:304 [15/97, H. 40243)

Umar and a falsely accused woman

A woman was brought to Umar; who being infatuated by an Ansari youth had tried to entice him to have relations with her.

But the man was not attracted to her. So that female devised a plot thereby, in which she brought an egg, broke it; then threw away its yolk and applied the white to her legs and garments. She came with other ladies and complained to Umar:

“Chief of believers, this man forced me to commit fornication and degraded me among my people.” Umar asked the ladies to investigate the matter. After examining the girl, they concluded that traces of semen were visible on her body and clothes.

Umar decided to punish the youth. The young man wailed: “Chief of believers, hold your hand, by God, I am not guilty.

On the contrary this woman invited me to sleep with her, but I declined.”

Umar asked Ameerul Momineen (a.s.): “O Abul Hasan, what is your opinion?”

His Eminence (a.s.) glanced at the garments of that woman and said: “Get some boiling water.”

Then he poured the hot water on the dress and suddenly the white albumen thickened and all could smell it. They even tasted it and found that it was egg.

At this moment His Eminence (a.s.) reproached the female and she confessed.
(Al-Tarqul Hukmiya, 47)

Umar patrolling in the nights and spying on people

 Umar bin Khattab roamed through the streets and spied on activities of people. He passed by a house, from which he heard some voices. He became suspicious and climbed over the wall into the house. He saw a man, drinking liquor in company of a woman.

Umar said: “O enemy of God, you thought that if you sinned in secret, God will keep your sin concealed?” That man said: “Chief of believers, don’t make haste in punishing me! If I committed one error, you committed three!

Allah says in Quran:

"And do not spy.”   (Surah Hujurat 49:12)

 And you spied. And He says:
And go into the houses by their doors.”  (Surah Baqarah 2:189)

You climbed over the wall. And He says:
 
“So when you enter houses, greet your people with a salutation from Allah.” (Surah Nur 24:61)

And you did not greet?”

Umar asked: “Have you performed some other good deed, so that I may overlook this mistake?”

He replied: “Yes, by God and I will not repeat this act.”  “Go, I have forgiven you,” said Umar.


Umar bin Khattab came to some people, who were drinking liquor and had lighted a fire in a hut, and said: “I forbade you to drink liquor and you drank it; and I forbade you to make a fire in a hut and you made it.”

He decided to penalize them. They said: “Chief of believers, Almighty Allah has forbidden you from spying and you spied and forbidden you from entering, without taking permission and you entered.”

Umar said: “Your two offences against my two offenses!” He returned from there saying to himself: “O Umar, all the people are more knowledgeable than you.”

(Iqdul Fareed, 3:416 [6/278])

Umar doesn't know what he is saying

An African couple came to Umar and the husband said:

 “As you see, I am black with black ancestry and my wife is also black, but she has given birth to a red skinned child!”

The woman said: “O chief of believers, I swear by God, I have not been unfaithful and this child is his only.”

Umar was confused, so he asked Ali (a.s.) about it. His Eminence (a.s.) asked that black man:

“Would you tell me the truth, if I ask you about something?”

He replied: “Yes, by God.” He asked: “Did you copulate with your wife when she was in menses?” “Yes,” he replied.

Ali (a.s.) said: “God is the greatest! The seed mixed with blood and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime created from it a red colored child. So don’t disown the infant as you have oppressed yourself.”
(Al-Tarqul Hukmiya, 47)

Umar condemning the rape victim

It is narrated from Abdur Rahman Salmi that a woman was brought to Umar, who had been extremely weak due to thirst and in that condition she met a shepherd and asked him for a drink of water.

The shepherd refused to give water to her unless she submitted to him sexually. The woman was helpless and she agreed. The Caliph sought the counsel of companions regarding this.

Ali (a.s.) said: “She was under compulsion and in my view, you must free her, without penalizing her in any way.”

So, the Caliph freed her.

(Sunan Baihaqi, 8:236; Riyazun Nazara, 2:196 [3/144])

Deduction of Umar regarding the grandfather

In his Sunan, Darami has narrated from Shobi that the first grandfather, who got inheritance, was Umar, as he obtained all the property.

At that time Ali (a.s.) and Zaid objected to him saying that all of it was not his share as he should inherit like one of the two brothers (which is the second rank of inheritance).
(Sunan Darami, 2:354)

It is narrated from Saeed bin Musayyab that Umar said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) about inheritance of grandfather.

The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said: “Why do you ask me about this again and again, I am afraid that you would die, before you know this.” Saeed bin Musayyab said:

“Umar died before he could understand this issue.”
( Mojamul Awsat, Tibrani [15/135, H. 3914])

In Sunanul Kubra Baihaqi has also narrated from Ubaidah: “I remember a hundred incidents about Umar, in which he committed errors regarding inheritance of grandfather.”
(Sunanul Kubraa, 6:245)

In Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed says: Umar often delivered a judgment and after that contradicted himself and delivered a verdict against it. Regarding inheritance of grandfather with the brother he issued varied laws, then he feared delivering a judgment regarding this and said: “One who wants to fall into the pit of Hell should express his personal opinion regarding inheritance of grandfather.”
(Sharh Nahjul Balagha, I:61 [1/181, Sermon 3])

Umar's ignorance about the Sunnah

Ibne Mubarak has narrated from Ashath from Shobi from Masruq that:

Umar learnt that a man from the Thaqif had married a girl from Quraish, while she was during her waiting period. So Umar sent a messenger to that woman and had the couple separated and punished them and said to that man:

Don’t marry this woman at all. [she has become unlawful for you forever] and he seized the dower of that woman and placed it in the Public Treasury. This matter became public.

When it came to the notice of Imam Ali (a.s.), he said: “May God forgive the chief of believers; how can he seize the dower and place it in Public Treasury?”

This couple married in unawareness and the recourse was not as Umar acted.

The imam should allow them to reconcile according to the Sunnah.

His Eminence was asked: “O Ali, how did you arrive at the solution?”

He replied: “The dower is related to amount that woman takes from the man; and they should separate from each other. Since they were unaware, they cannot be punished. The woman should complete the waiting period of her previous husband and also complete the waiting period of this husband. Then this man can propose to her.”

When Umar came to know about the verdict of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), he said: “O people, you should refer to the Sunnah, when you don’t know the solution to some problem.”

(Sunan Kubra, Baihaqi, 7:441-442; Riyazun Nazara, 2:196 [3/144]; Zakhaaerul Uqbah, 81)

Umar's ignorance about Islamic Laws

They brought to Umar, a woman who had confessed that she became pregnant through fornication and Umar ordered her to be stoned to death.

Ali (a.s.) learnt of this and asked: “What is the story of this woman?”

They replied: “Umar has ordered her to be stoned to death.”

Ali (a.s.) sent her away and said: “You have the discretion to punish her, but what power do you have on the unborn child? Perhaps her confession was forced.”

Umar said: “It was like this.” Ali (a.s.) said: “Have you not heard that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: There is no penalty who confesses after torture? And confession is not acceptable from one, who is chained and imprisoned. Or one who is threatened.”

Umar released that woman and remarked: “Women are helpless to give birth to the like of Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). If Ali had not been there, Umar would have perished.”

(Riyazun Nazara, 2:196 [3/143]; Al-Manaqib, Khwarizmi, 48 [Pg. 81, H. 65])

Ignorance of Umar about divorce of slave girl

Hafiz Darqutni and Hafiz Ibne Asakir3 have narrated that:

“Two men came to Umar and inquired about the divorce of slave girl.

Umar arose from there till he came to the Masjid, where a man, bald from the front was present.

Umar asked: O bald one, what is your opinion regarding divorce of slave maid?

He raised his head and gestured with his index and middle finger. So, he told those two men: Two divorces.

One of them remarked: Great! We came to you as you were chief of believers; but you brought us to a man and asked him and were satisfied with his gesture…till the end.”

(Barguzida Jaame’ Al-Ghadeer, Muhammad Hasan Shafei Shahroodi, Pg. 206)

Umar's opinion about inheritance

It is narrated from Masud Thaqafi that:
“I was a witness when Umar bin Khattab made brothers of the father and mother share the third with maternal brothers.

A man remarked: You delivered a different judgment in this issue before.

He asked: How did I decide?

He replied: You gave to the maternal brothers and did not give anything to paternal brothers.

Umar said: That was a judgment [of that time] and this is another judgment [which I give] now.”

On the basis of another narration, he said: “It was on the basis of judgment of that day and this is on the basis of judgment of today.”

(Sunanul Kubraa, 6:255; Sunan Darimi, I:154)

Umar's ignorance about the Holy Quran

 Hafiz scholars: Ibne Abi Shaibah, Abd bin Hamid, Ibne Mundhir have narrated from Ibrahim Tamimi that a man said in the presence of Umar:

“O Allah, make me from the small.”

Umar asked: “What supplication is this?”

He replied: I heard Almighty Allah say:
َ
And very few of My servants are grateful.”  (Surah Saba 34:13)

And I beseeched Almighty Allah to make me of those few. Umar said: “All the people are more knowledgeable than Umar.”

Qurtubi has mentioned as follows: “All the people are more knowledgeable than you, O Umar.” Zamakhshari has narrated as follows: “All people are more knowledgeable than Umar.”

(Al-Jaameul Ahkamul Quran, 14:227 [14/178]; Tafseer Kashaf, 2:445 [3/573]; Durre Mansoor, 5:229 [6/682])

Umar's ignorance of tenors and metaphors

 It is narrated from Huzaifah bin Yaman that he saw Umar bin Khattab and Umar asked:

“How did you begin the day, O Ibne Yaman?”

He replied: “Do you want to know how I began the day? I began the day displeased with truth and pleased with mischief; and testifying for what I have not seen; and memorizing the uncreated; and prayed without ablution; and I have on the earth what God does not have in the heavens.”

Umar became infuriated and went away on some important errand, but decided to punish Huzaifah for these statements.

On the way, he met Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.). His Eminence saw that Umar was infuriated and he asked: “What has infuriated you, Umar?” He replied: “I met Huzaifah bin Yaman and asked: How did you begin your day? He replied: I began the day while not being pleased with truth.” Ali (a.s.) said: “He is right. Since he is not pleased with death, whereas it is truth.”

Then Umar said: “He says: And I liked temptation.” Ali (a.s.) said: “He is right; since he likes wealth and children and the Almighty Allah says:  َ

  “Your property and your children are a temptation.”    (Surah Anfal 8:28)

Umar said: “O Ali, he says: I testify for what I have not seen.”

Ali (a.s.) said: “He is right; since he testifies for the oneness of Almighty Allah, death, rising up on Judgment Day, Paradise and Hell, Siraat Bridge, whereas he has not seen any of them.”

Umar said: “O Ali, he says: I memorize the uncreated.”

Ali (a.s.) said: “That is true, he learns the Quran, whereas it is uncreated.”

 Umar said: “And he says: I pray without ablution.”

Ali (a.s.) said: “He is right, he recites benedictions on my cousin, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), without ablution and that is allowed.”

Umar said: “He also claims something more serious.”

Ali (a.s.) asked: “What does he say?”

Umar replied: “He says: There is something for me in the earth which is not there for God in the heavens.”

Ali (a.s.) said: “He is right, he has family and dependants and Almighty Allah has no spouse or issues.”

At this point Umar said: “If Ali Ibne Abi Talib (a.s.) had not there, the son of Khattab would have perished.”

Hafiz Ganji has narrated this tradition in Kifaya and he remarks: “According to tradition scholars this report is authentic and numerous biographer have narrated it.”
(Kifayatut Talib, 96 [Pg. 218]; Al-Fusoolul Muhimma, Ibne Sabbagh Maliki, 18 [Pg. 34])


Everyone is more knowledgeable than Umar

One day, Umar was thirsty and he passed by a youth of Ansa. So he asked for water. The boy mixed some honey in water and brought it to Umar. Umar did not drink it, saying: Almighty Allah says:

"You did away with your good things in your life of the world…”  (Surah Ahqaf 46:20)


The youth said: O chief of believers, this verse is not for you or any other Muslim. Recite its preceding words:

"And on the day when those who disbelieve shall be brought before the fire: You did away with your good things in your life of the world and you enjoyed them for a while."  (Surah Ahqaf 46:20)

Umar remarked: “Everyone is more learned than Umar.”

Umar's ignorance about interpretation of Quran

It is narrated from Abu Saeed Khudri that: “I performed Hajj in the company of Umar bin Khattab. When he was circumambulating Kaaba, he addressed Hajar al-Aswad: ‘No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit anyone nor harm anyone. Had I not seen Allah’s Apostle kissing you, I would not have kissed you.’

Then he kissed it. Ali Ibne Abi Talib said: ‘On the contrary, it gives benefits and harm, if you only knew from the interpretation of Book of Almighty Allah, in which He says:

“And when your Lord brought forth from the children of Adam, from their backs, their descendants, and made them bear witness against their own souls.”  (Surah Araaf 7:172 )


Then when they confessed that He is the Lord and they are servants, He wrote their covenant on a white sheet and placed it in the mouth of this stone. Indeed, on Judgment Day, this stone will be raised and it would be having a pair of eyes, tongue and lips; and it will testify in favor of those, who honored the covenant.

Thus, on the basis of Quran, this stone is the trustee of Almighty Allah.’ Umar said: ‘O Abul Hasan, may God not keep me alive in the land, where you are not present.’”

 It is mentioned in another version that he said: “O Abul Hasan, I seek refuge of God from living in a nation, in which you are not present.”

(Mustadrak Alas Saheehain, 1:457 [1/628, H. 1682]; Tareekh Umar bin Khattab, Ibne Jauzi, 106 [Pg. 115]; Kanzul Ummaal, 3:35 [5/177, H. 12521]; Sharh Nahjul Balagha, 3:122 [12/100, Sermon 223])

Umar’s order regarding the insane female who committed fornication

It is narrated from Ibne Abbas that a mentally incompetent woman, accused of adultery was brought to Umar. Umar discussed this with some people and declared that she must be stoned to death.

Ali passed from there and inquired what was going on about that female. They replied: “She is mentally deranged from some tribe and is accused of having committed adultery and Umar has ordered her to be stoned to death.”

Ali (a.s.) said: “Release her.” Then he came to Umar said: “Chief of believers, do you not remember that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said:

Three people are absolved of religious responsibility: the insane, till he regains sanity; the child, till he reaches maturity and the sleeping one, till he wakes up?”

At that time, Umar released the woman and began to recite Takbeer

(Sunan Abi Dawood, 2:227 [4/140, H. 4399 & 4401]; Sonan Ibne Majah, 2:227 [1/659, H. 2042]; Al-Mustadrak alas Saheehain, 2:59, 4:389 [2/68, H. 2351 & 4/430, H. 8169])

Umar did not know the meaning of ‘Abb’ (َأَبًّا)


Anas bin Malik says: Umar recited the following verse from the pulpit:

“Then We cause to grow therein the grain, and grapes and clover, and the olive and the palm, and thick gardens, and fruits and herbage” (Surah Abasa 80:27-31)


Then he said: “I know meaning of all these terms, but what is this ‘Abb’?” Then he left the staff he was holding and said: “My God, this is a duty and what is the problem if you don’t know the meaning of ‘Abb’?

Follow that whose guidance is clear to you from Quran and act upon it, and leave the knowledge of what you don’t know to Almighty Allah.” It is narrated from Thabit that a man asked Umar about the term of ‘abb’ in the verse:  َ

وَفَاكِهَةً وَأَبًّا

“And fruits and herbage”     (Surah Abasa 80:3)

Umar replied: We are forbidden from excessive precaution and to penetrate deeply. This tradition is also narrated in different words.

(This report is mentioned in Hakeem in Mustadrak Alas Saheehain, 2:514 [2/559, H. 3897]; Zamakhshari in Kashaf, 3:253 [4/704]; Suyuti in Durre Mansoor, 6:317 [8/421]; Kanzul Ummaal, 1:227 [2/328, H. 4154])

Ibne Hajar says in Fathul Bari: “It is said: ‘Abb’ is not an Arabic term. And it is supported by the fact that its meaning was unknown to the like of Abu Bakr and Umar.” 

Fathul Bari, 13:230 [13/270-272]

Everyone is more knowledgeable than Umar!

In Sunan Kubra, Baihaqi has narrated from Shobi that Umar delivered a speech and after divine praise and glorification, said:

 “Do not fix higher amounts as dowers and if I hear that a woman has taken dower more than the dower of the wives of Prophet, I will recover it from her and deposit it in Public Treasury.”

Then he came down from the pulpit. A Quraish lady asked:

“O chief of believers, is the Book of Allah more worthy to be followed or your statement?”

He replied: “The Book of Allah, what do you imply?” She said: “You prohibited heavy dowers, whereas Almighty Allah says in Quran:

“And you have given one of them a heap of gold, then take not from it anything.” (Surah Nisa 4:20)

Umar said twice or thrice: “Everyone is more learned than Umar,”

(Sunan Kubra, 7:233; Kanzul Ummaal, 8:298 [16/536, H. 45796])

and according to another version, he said: “Everyone, except Umar is most learned, even ladies in seclusion.” Are you not amazed at an Imam, who makes a mistake and a woman, who rectifies him?

(Sharh Nahjul Balagha, Ibne Abil Hadeed, 1:61 & 3:96 [1/182, Sermon 3:12/17])

It is mentioned in the words of Khazin that: “A woman, who states the right thing and a ruler, who commits a mistake.”
(Tafseer Khazin, 1:353 [1/339])


And in the words of Razi in his book of Arbaeen: “All people are more learned than Umar, even ladies at home.”
(Al-Arbaeen, Razi, 467)


Umar’s ignorance about Quran

Hafiz Abdur Razzaq Abad bin Hamid and Ibne Mudhir have narrated through their chains of narrators from Dauli that:

A woman was brought to Umar, who had delivered a child after six months of pregnancy and Umar ordered her to be stoned to death. Her sister came to Ali Ibne Abi Talib and said:

 “Umar wants to stone my sister to death. I adjure you by God that if there is any excuse for her, let me know.”

Ali  said: “There is an excuse for her.” So the woman recited: “God is the greatest (Takbeer),” which Umar and those around him heard. Then she came to Umar and said: “Ali believes that I have an excuse for my sister.” Umar sent someone to Ali  and asked what the excuse was. Ali  replied: Allah Almighty says:

"And the mothers should suckle their children for two whole years…”     (Surah Baqarah 2:233)                                        

And also says:
 “And the bearing of him and the weaning of him was thirty months.” (Surah Ahqaf 46:15)

And God says:                          
“And his weaning takes two years.”  (Surah Luqman 31:14)
 
Now, even if we keep aside this report, it can be concluded that the period of pregnancy in the verse:  َ

"And the bearing of him and the weaning of him was thirty months.”  (Surah Ahqaf 46:15)
 
…is supposed to be six months, [because, the period of weaning is 24 months and subtracting this from thirty months, six months remain.

At this point Umar released that woman.

The narrator says: After that we came to know that the woman delivered another child after six months’ pregnancy

(Al-Musannaf, [7/350, H. 13444])

Views of Umar regarding one who has no water for ablution


In his Saheeh, Muslim, in the chapter of Dry Ablution (Tayammum), has narrated through four chains of narrators from Abdur Rahman bin Abza that:

“Abdul Rahman bin Abza narrated it on the authority of his father that a man came to Umar and said: I am (at times) affected by seminal emission but find no water. He (Umar) told him not to pray. Ammaar then said. Do you remember, O Commander of Faithful, when I and you were in a military detachment and we had a seminal emission and did not find water (for taking bath) and you did not say prayer, but as for myself I rolled in dust and said prayer, and (when it was mentioned before) the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) said: It was enough for you to strike the ground with your hands and then blow (the dust) and then wipe your face and palms.

 Umar said: Ammaar, fear Allah. He said: If you so like, I would not narrate it.”

 (Saheeh Muslim, [1/355, H. 112]; Kitabul Haiz; Musnad Ahmad, 4:265 [5/329, H. 1786])