Section Two: Theme One – Sayyidina ‘Ali’s expression of Sayyidina ‘Umar al Faruq’s radiya Llahu ‘anhuma excellence in the form of glorious titles and names.

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Section Two

We will now present the various virtues and excellences of Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu which have been reported by Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu under miscellaneous themes. Before bringing this section to a close, the virtues of Sayyidina ‘Ali reported by Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma will be quoted.

A separate chapter needs to be dedicated to each and every virtue and merit. However, to avoid prolongation, all these have been gathered in one section. Moreover, by adopting this method, the virtues they have reported of each other may appear together before the readers in one section. Contemplating on them will make it extremely easy for the prudent reader to realise their mutual unity and harmony and be able to answer the fables of disunity and discord between these luminaries.

 

Theme One

This theme deals with Sayyidina ‘Ali’s expression of Sayyidina ‘Umar al Faruq’s radiya Llahu ‘anhuma excellence in the form of glorious titles and names. Some of the ways he referred to Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu will be mentioned here.

 

1. Rajul Mubarak (Blessed Man)

Fadil al Sha’bi relates that after the martyrdom of Sayyidina ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, people hastened to Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma to pledge allegiance. He said:

لا تعجلوا فإن عمر كان رجلا مباركا و قد أوصى بها شورى فأمهلوا يجتمع الناس و يتشاورون

Do not hasten (this matter) because ‘Umar was a very blessed man and he bequeathed that a council be held in its regard (i.e. he did not hasten in deciding the matter of khilafah). Therefore, give some time. Allow the people to gather and discuss.[1]

 

2. Najib al Ummah (Sincere Noble Companion of the Ummah)

 

عن عبد الله بن مليل قال سمعت عليا يقول أعطي كل نبي سبعة نجباء من أمته و أعطي النبي صلى الله عليه و سلم أربعة عشر نجيبا من أمته منهم أبو بكر و عمر رضي الله عنهم

‘Abdullah ibn Mulayl reports that he heard ‘Ali saying:

Every nabi was given seven sincere noble companions from his ummah and the Nabi salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was given fourteen. Among them are Abu Bakr and ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma.[2]

 

3. Al Faruq (The Distinguisher between Truth and Falsehood)

 

عن نزال بن السبرة الهلالي قال وافقنا من علي بن أبي طالب ذات يوم طيب نفس فقلنا يا أمير المؤمنين حدثنا عن عمر بن الخطاب قال ذاك امرؤ سماه الله الفاروق فرق بين الحق و الباطل سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم يقول اللهم أعز الإسلام بعمر

Nazzal ibn al Sabrah al Hilali reports:

One day we met ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib who was in a very good mood so we requested, “O Amir al Mu’minin, relate to us about ‘Umar ibn al Khattab.”

He said, “That is a man who Allah named al Faruq, who differentiated between truth and falsehood. I heard Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam supplicate, ‘O Allah, strengthen Islam with ‘Umar.’”[3]

 

4. Khalil (Bosom Friend), Siddiq (True Friend), Nasih (Sincere)

 

حدثنا أبو معاوية عن خلف بن حوشب عن أبي السفر قال رأي على علي برد كان يكثر لبسه فقيل له إنك لتكثر لبس هذا البرد فقال إنه كسانيه خليلي و صفيتي و صديقي و خاصتي عمر إن عمر ناصح الله فنصحه ثم بكى

Abu Muawiyah narrated to us from―Khalaf ibn Hawshab from―Abu al Safar who relates:

‘Ali was seen wearing a garment he frequently wore so he was asked, “You wear this garment very often?”

He responded, “My bosom, chosen, true, and special friend, ‘Umar, gifted it to me. Indeed, ‘Umar was a sincere well-wisher to Allah’s Din, so Allah dealt with him in a like manner.”

He then began to cry.[4]

 

5. Al Qawi al Amin (The Tough and Trustworthy)

It is documented in Tarikh al Tabari:

 

عن أبي بكر العبسي قال دخلت حير الصدقة مع عمر بن الخطاب و علي بن أبي طالب قال فجلس عثمان في الظل يكتب فقام علي على رأسه يملي عليه ما يقول عمر و عمر في الشمس قائم في يوم حار شديد الحر عليه بردان أسودان متزرا بواحد و قد لف على رأسه آخر يعد إبل الصدقة يكتب ألوانها و أسنانها فقال علي لعثمان و سمعته يقول نعت بنت شعيب عليه السلام في كتاب الله يَا أَبَتِ اسْتَأْجِرْهُ إِنَّ خَيْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِيُّ الْأَمِيْنُ ثم أشار علي بيده إلى عمر فقال هذا القوي الأمين

Abu Bakr al ‘Absi reports:

I entered the enclosure of the sadaqah camels with ‘Umar ibn al Khattab and ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib. ‘Uthman (arrived and) sat in the shade to write. ‘Ali stood at his headside and began dictating to him what ‘Umar was saying, while ‘Umar was standing in the sun on an extremely hot day. He had two black shawls on him. One he wrapped around his lower body and he tied the other around his head. He was counting the camels of sadaqah and dictating their colours and ages. I heard ‘Ali telling ‘Uthman, “In the Book of Allah, the daughter of Shu’ayb ‘alayh al Salam said, ‘O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.’”

‘Ali then pointed with his hand towards ‘Umar and declared, “This man is strong and trustworthy.”[5]

 

6. Leader of guidance, Rightly Guided, Guide, Reformer, Saviour

It is written in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d:

 

سئل علي عن أبي بكر و عمر فقال كان إمامي هدى راشدين مرشدين مصلحين منجحين خرجا من الدنيا خميصين

‘Ali was questioned about Abu Bakr and ‘Umar to which he replied:

They were leaders of guidance, rightly guided, guides, reformers, and saviours who left this world hungry (i.e. they did not gather wealth out of greed).[6]

 

Ibn al Jawzi has mentioned a narration very similar in meaning to the one in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d. The above wording appears in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d.

A couple of narrations of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu are mentioned under the first theme. These type of narrations are easily available but only a few have been selected as samples. It is learnt from here that according to Sayyidina ‘Ali, Sayyidina ‘Umar al Faruq radiya Llahu ‘anhuma was:

• Worthy of countless virtues and merits
• Holder of various types of excellences
• Befitting of countless of praise
• Owner of numerous virtues
• Possessor of an abundant of prowess
• Perfect in a number of praiseworthy qualities

These are clear signs of their unity and love, which will remain brilliant and shining in the pages of history forever.

 

NEXT⇒ Theme Two

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[1] Tarikh al Tabari, vol. 5 pg. 156, under the year 35 A.H., old Egypt print.

[2] Musnad Ahmed, vol. 1 pg. 142, musnadat of ‘Ali, Egypt print with selections from Kanz; Jami’ al Tirmidhi, pg. 541, chapter on the virtues of the Ahlul Bayt, Asah al Matabi’, Lucknow, India; Hilyat al Auliya’, vol. 1 pg. 128.

[3] Sheikh Abu al Farj ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Ali ibn Muhammad ibn al Jawzi (d. 597 A.H.): Sirat ‘Umar ibn al Khattab, Egypt print; al Riyad al Nadirah, vol. 1 pg. 246; chapter 2, section 2, referenced to Ibn al Samman, Egypt print.

[4] Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, vol. 4 pg. 179, chapter on the virtues of ‘Umar ibn al Khattab radiya Llahu ‘anhu, Qilmi, Pir Chanda, Sindh.

[5] Tarikh al Umam wa al Muluk, vol. 5 pg. 18, under the year 23 A.H., old Egypt print; al Tarikh al Kamil, vol. 3 pg. 29, discussion on the life of ‘Umar, Egypt print; al Riyad al Nadirah fi Manaqib al ‘Asharah al Mubasharah, vol. 2 pg. 78, chapter on his safeguarding of the Muslims’ wealth.

[6] Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 3, pg. 149, division 1, discussion on Abu Bakr al Siddiq; Sirat ‘Umar ibn al Khattab, pg. 31.