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 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 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])