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]