Theme Nine: all the praises and compliments Sayyidina ‘Umar and Sayyidina Ibn ‘Umar articulated in favour of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

Theme Eight: The statements and declarations of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu approving the correctness and appropriateness of Sayyidina ‘Umar’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu khilafah from Shia books.
February 7, 2019
Chapter Two – Section One: The Station of Judge and Mufti
February 7, 2019
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Table of Contents
  1. Theme Nine
    1. First Narration
    2. Second Narration
    3. Third Narration
    4. Fourth Narration
    5. Fifth Narration
    6. Sixth Narration
    7. Seventh Narration
    8. Deductions and Conclusions
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Theme Nine

Chapter one had two sections. The second section had diverse themes whereunder the virtues and excellences of Sayyidina Faruq radiya Llahu ‘anhu were listed. This is the final theme which will encompass all the praises and compliments Sayyidina ‘Umar and Sayyidina Ibn ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma articulated in favour of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu.

I plan to list seven virtues of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in this theme followed by deductions and conclusions, and bring these themes to a close. The readers should be aware that in this theme, narrations from both Sunni and Shia sources have been taken without distinction. Hence, take cognisance of the references.

 

First Narration

 

حدثنا خلف بن خليفة عن أبي هرون قال كنت مع ابن عمر جالسا إذ جاءه نافع بن أزرق فقام على رأسه فقال إني والله لأبغض عليا قال فرفع إليه ابن عمر رأسه فقال أبغضك الله تبغض رجلا سابقة من سوابقه خير من الدنيا و ما فيها

Khalaf ibn Khalifah narrated to us―from Abu Harun who recalls:

I was sitting in the company of Ibn ‘Umar when Nafi’ ibn Azraq came to him. He stood above his head and said, “By Allah, I certainly hate ‘Ali.”

Ibn ‘Umar lifted his head (and gazed) towards him and shouted, “May Allah hate you. You hate a man, just one of his achievements is better than the world and what it contains.”[1]

 

Second Narration

 

و عن عمر بن الخطاب و قد ذكر عنده علي قال ذاك صهر رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم نزل جبريل عليه السلام فقال إن الله يأمرك أن تزوج فاطمة ابنتك من علي أخرجه ابن السمان

It is reported that ‘Umar ibn al Khattab stated after ‘Ali was mentioned to him, “That is the son-in-law of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Jibril ‘alayh al Salam descended and said, ‘Certainly, Allah commands you to marry your daughter Fatimah to ‘Ali.’”

Ibn al Samman documented it.[2]

 

Third Narration

Sheikh al Ta’ifah Abu Jafar al Tusi al Shia (d. 460 A.H.) writes in al Amali:

 

عن علي بن الحسين عن أبيه عليهم السلام قال قال عمر بن الخطاب عيادة بني هاشم سنة و زيارتهم نافلة

From ‘Ali ibn al Hussain―from his father radiya Llahu ‘anhuma who reports:

‘Umar ibn al Khattab stated, “Visiting the ill of the Banu Hashim is Sunnah and paying a casual visit to them is an act of virtue.”[3]

 

Fourth Narration

The incident of Sayyidina ‘Umar congratulating Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma is recorded in al Amali of Sheikh al Saduq, Abu Jafar Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn Babawayh al Qummi (d. 381 A.H.):

 

لما أخذ رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله بيد علي بن أبي طالب و قال ألست أولى بالمؤمنين قالوا نعم يا رسول الله قال من كنت مولاه فعلي مولاه فقال له عمر بخ بخ يا ابن أبي طالب أصبحت مولاي و مولا كل مسلم

Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam took hold of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib’s hand and announced, “Do I not possess more right over the believers?”

They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.”

Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam re-joined, “Whoever’s mawla (friend, beloved) I am, ‘Ali is his mawla.”

Upon this ‘Umar said to him, “Congratulations O Ibn Abi Talib, you have become my beloved and the beloved of every Muslim.”[4]

 

The purpose here was to answer the objections by establishing his virtue. This narration has absolutely no connection with khilafah or undisputed succession. Nevertheless, this hadith undoubtedly contains a special virtue for Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu. It should be noted this theme appears in our narrations as well, e.g. in Mishkat, chapter on the merits of ‘Ali, third section, with reference to Ahmed. There is, however, slight variations in wording.

 

Fifth Narration

Here is an incident of the manner Sayyidina ‘Umar defended the honour of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma, reported in both books of the Ahlus Sunnah and Shia:

 

إن رجلا وقع في علي بمحضر من عمر فقال تعرف صاحب هذا القبر محمد بن عبد الله بن عبد المطلب و علي بن أبي طالب بن عبد المطلب لا تذكر عليا إلا بخير فإنك إن آذيته آذيت هذا في قبره

A man began insulting ‘Ali in the presence of ‘Umar, hearing which he warned, “Do you know the inmate of this grave? Muhammad the son of ‘Abdullah the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib and ‘Ali is the son of Abu Talib the son of ‘Abdul Muttalib. Only speak favourably of ‘Ali because if you harm him, you are harming this man in his grave.”[5]

 

Sixth Narration

Sayyidina ‘Umar pronounces the status and rank of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma:

 

قال ابن عمر سأل رجلا عمر بن الخطاب عن علي فقال هذا منزل رسول الله صلى الله عليه و آله و هذا منزل علي بن أبي طالب و هذا المنزل فيه صاحبه

Ibn ‘Umar reports, “A man questioned ‘Umar ibn al Khattab about ‘Ali, so he explained, ‘This is the house of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, this is the house of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, and in this house was his friend (Abu Bakr).’”

Meaning that their closeness in rank can be gauged from their closeness in residence.[6]

 

Seventh Narration

This excellence of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu appears in the books of both sects and is accepted by both. Yes, it is found with various wording. Look at the manner of expression.

 

كان عمر يتعوذ بالله من معضلة ليس فيها أبو الحسن

‘Umar would seek Allah’s protection from a problematic situation for which Abu al Hassan was not present.[7]

قال عمر لا عشت في أمة لست فيها يا أبا الحسن

‘Umar declared, “I would not desire to live among a people you were not part of, O Abu al Hassan.”[8]

إن عمر قال لا أبقاني الله بعدك يا علي

Indeed ‘Umar said, “May Allah not keep me alive after your demise O ‘Ali.”[9]

 

These are the statements Sayyidina ‘Umar made to congratulate and show gratitude to Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhuma for the outstanding verdicts he passed at various instances. Once, Sayyidina ‘Umar appreciated the verdict of Sayyidina Muaz ibn Jabal radiya Llahu ‘anhu and congratulated him saying:

 

عجزت النساء أن تلد مثل معاذ لولا معاذ هلك عمر

Women are incapable of giving birth to the like of Muaz. Had it not been for Muaz, ‘Umar would be destroyed.”[10]

 

Deductions and Conclusions

In light of the statements of Sayyidina ‘Umar and his son Ibn ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma, the following virtues of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu have been revealed:

  1. Each virtue of his is better than the world and what it contains.
  2. His marriage was contracted by divine command.
  3. There is plenty of reward for visiting the Banu Hashim.
  4. He is the friend and beloved of all the Muslims.
  5. Criticising him is harming Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
  6. Just as his house was close to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, he enjoyed a rank very close to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.
  7. They appreciated and congratulated each other.

 

The crux is that all these points are signs of their unity, mutual understanding, friendship, and brotherhood. Eyes of understanding are needed to appreciate these incidents.

 

تم ہو آپس میں غضب ناک وہ آپس میں رحیم

تم خطاکار و خطابیں ہو خطاپوش و کریم

You harbour anger for one another while they were merciful to each other.

You are criminals and disclose faults, while they conceal faults and are generous.

 

This brings section two to a close. And with Allah’s tawfiq, this concludes chapter one.

 

NEXT⇒ Chapter Two – Section One

[1] Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, vol. 4 pg. 203, Qilmi, chapter on the virtues of Imam ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Pir Jhanda, Sindh.

[2] Al Riyad al Nadirah, vol. 2 pg. 242, with reference to Ibn al Samman in al Muwafaqah, chapter on the discussion on his speciality of marrying Fatimah.

[3] Al Amali, vol. 2 pg. 345, Najaf Ashraf print, Iraq.

[4] Al Amali, pg. 3, first majlis, in first hadith, old Iran print.

[5] Kanz al ‘Ummal, vol. 6 pg. 395, Hadith: 6031, with reference to Ibn ‘Asakir, Hyderabad print, Dakkan; Sheikh al Saduq: al Amali, pg. 234, majlis 61, old Iran print; Sheikh Abu Jafar: al Amali, vol. 2 pg. 46.

[6] Manaqib Ibn Shaharashub, vol. 2 pg. 154, section on Amir al Mu’minin’s proximity to Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with reference to Khasa’is al Nazanfari, India print.

[7] Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 2 pg. 103, discussion on ‘Ali, who would pass verdicts in Madinah and who would be followed from the Companions of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam; al Isti’ab, vol. 3 pg. 39, discussion on ‘Ali, with al Isabah.

[8] Sheikh al Tusi: al Amali, vol. 2 pg. 92, new print, Iraq.

[9] Manaqib Ibn Shaharashub, vol. 3 pg. 7, chapter on ‘Ali’s verdicts, India print.

[10] Al Isabah, discussion on Muaz ibn Jabal.