Fine Qualities

Abu Sa'id reported God's messenger as saying, "While I was asleep, I saw people being presented before me wearing shirts some of which reached the nipples while others did not reach so far. Then `Umar b. al-Khattab was presented to me wearing a shirt which he was trailing." He was asked how he interpreted that and replied that it meant religion. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn 'Umar told that he heard God's messenger say, "While I was asleep I was brought a jug of milk and drank till I could see what was drunk coming out at my nails. Then I gave what I had left to `Umar b. al-Khattab." He was asked how he interpreted it and replied that it meant knowledge.(Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that he heard God's messenger say, "While I was asleep I saw myself above a well on which there was a bucket. I drew from it what God wished, then the son of Abu Quhafa[1] drew from it one bucketful or two, but in his drawing there was some weakness for which may God forgive him. It then changed into a large bucket which the son of al-Khattab took hold of, and I have never seen a strong man drawing as `Umar did, till the camels had enough and lay down[2]."[1] i.e., Abu Bakr[2] Or, "the people satisfied their thirst and stayed by the water." The Arabic is darab an nas bi-aianIn Ibn `Umar's version he said, "Then the son of al-Khattab took it from Abu Bakr's hand and it changed into a large bucket. I have not seen a strong man accomplishing what he did, till the people had enough and the camels had enough and lay down." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Ibn `Umar reported God's messenger as saying, "God has placed truth upon `Umar's tongue and heart." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

In Abu Dawud's version on the authority of Abu Dharr he said, "God has placed truth on `Umar's tongue and he speaks it." Ali said. We did not think it impossible that the Sakina[*] should speak with `Umar's tongue. Baihaqi transmitted it in Dala'il an nubuwa.

Ibn `Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, "0 God, strengthen Islam with Abu Jahl b. Hisham, or `Umar b. al-Khattab." In the morning `Umar went to the Prophet and accepted Islam; then prayed openly in the mosque. Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jabir told that when `Umar addressed Abu Bakr as the best of men after God's messenger, Abu Bakr replied that seeing he had said that, he could tell him he had heard God's messenger say, "The sun has not risen on a better man than `Umar.'' Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

`Uqba b. `Amir reported the Prophet as saying, "If there were to be a prophet after me, he would be `Umar b. al-Khattab." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

Buraida told that God's messenger went out on one of his expeditions, and when he came back a black slave-girl came and said, "Messenger of God, I have vowed that if God brings you back safe, I shall play the tambourine in front of you and sing.'' He replied, "If you have made a vow, play; otherwise, do not.'' She began to play and-Abu Bakr entered while she was playing; then `Ali entered while she was playing; then `Uthman entered while she was playing; then `Umar entered and she threw the tambourine under her and sat on it. God's messenger then said, "The devil is afraid of you, `Umar. I was sitting while she was playing, then Abu Bakr entered while she was playing, then `Ali entered while she was playing, then `Uthman entered while she was playing, but when you entered, `Umar, she threw down the tambourine." Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan sahih gharib tradition.

When God's messenger was seated, we heard confused sounds and boys' voices, so he got up and saw an Abyssinian woman dancing with the boys around her. He said, "Come and look, `A'isha," so I went and placed my chin on God's messenger's shoulder and began to look at her over his shoulder. He then said to me, "Have you not had enough? Have you not had enough?" and I began to say, "No," in order that I might look where I was with him. But `Umar camealong, and when the people ran away from her[*] God's messenger said, "I am looking at the devils of jinn and men who have fled from `Umar." I then went back. *i.e., the Abyssinian woman.Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan sahih gharib tradition.

I agreed with my Lord[1] regarding three matters. I said, "Messenger of God, would that we could take Abraham's station as a place of prayer!" and the revelation came down, "And take Abraham's station as a place of prayer[2]." I said, "Messenger of God, both pious and profligate come in where your women are. If only you would order them to seclude themselves!" Then the verse about secluding came down[3]. The Prophet's wives united in jealousy and I said, "Perhaps if he divorces you his Lord will give him better wives than you in place of you." Then a revelation to that effect came down[4]. In a version by Ibn `Umar he told that 'Umar said: I agreed with my Lord regarding three matters, Abraham's station, the seclusion, and the prisoners at Badr. i.e., he expressed opinions which were found to agree with Quran verses revealed later. Cf. Quran. 2: 125. Cf. Quran, 33:53. Cf. Quran, 66:5. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

(1) By the mention of the prisoners at the battle of Badr. He ordered that they be killed and God most high sent down, "Were it not that a decree had come previously from God a severe punishment would have come to you for what you took[1]." (2) By his mention of the seclusion. He commanded the Prophet's wives to seclude themselves and Zainab said to him, "Have you been set over us, son of al-Khattab, when the revelation comes down in our houses?" Then God most high sent down, "And when you ask them for anything ask them from behind a screen[2]." (3) By the Prophet's supplication, "0 God, strengthen Islam by `Umar." (4) By his opinion about Abu Bakr to whom he was the first to swear allegiance. Quran, 8:68. Quran, 33:53.Ahmad transmitted it.

I swear by God that till the end of his life we thought that that man was no one other than `Umar b. al-Khattab. Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn `Umar asked me something about him, i.e., 'Umar, and when I informed him, he said, "I never saw anyone after the time when God's messenger was taken who was more earnest or excellent up to the end of his life than `Umar." Bukhari transmitted it.

When `Umar was stabbed he began to suffer, and Ibn `Abbas who seemed to be trying to console him said, "Do not worry about all that. You were a good companion to God's messenger and when he left you, he was pleased with you; you were a good companion to Abu Bakr and when he left you, he was pleased with you; you have been a good companion to the Muslims and if you leave them, you will do so when they are pleased with you." He replied, "As for what you have mentioned about my companionship with God's messenger and his good pleasure, that was simply a favour from God which He bestowed on me; as for what you have mentioned about my companionship with Abu Bakr and his good pleasure, that was simply a favour from God which He bestowed on me; but as for my anxiety which you see, it is on account of you and your companions. I swear by God that if I had as much gold as would fill the earth, I would ransom myself with it from God's punishment before seeing Him." Bukhari transmitted.

Abu Huraira said God's messenger told that while a man was driving a cow, he grew weary and mounted on its back, whereupon it said, "We were not created for this, but only for tilling the ground." The people said, "Glory be to God! Can a cow speak?" and God's messenger replied, "I believe it, as also do Abu Bakr and `Umar, but they were not present at the time. He then told that while a man was shepherding some sheep of his, a wolf attacked one of them and seized it. Its owner caught up on it and rescued it and the wolf said to him, "Who will look after it when the beast of prey's day comes and it has no shepherd but me?" The people said, "Glory be to God! Can a wolf speak?" and he replied, "I believe it, as also do Abu Bakr and `Umar," but they were not present at the time. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was standing among some people who made supplication to God for `Umar when he had been placed on his couch[*], and a man behind me who had put his elbow on my shoulder was saying, "God have mercy on you! I hope God may place you along with your two companions, because I often heard God's messenger say, `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar were...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar did... `I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar went off...' `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar entered...', `I, Abu Bakr and `Umar went out...'" Ibn `Abbas said that when he turned round, he saw it was `Ali b. Abu b. Talib. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported the Prophet as saying, "The inhabitants of paradise and those of `Illiyin will see one another as you see a sparkling star in the extremities of the sky, and Abu Bakr and `Umar will be among the latter, having been shown special favour." It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna, and Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted something to the same effect.

Anas reported God's messenger as saying, "Abu Bakr and `Umar will be the chiefs of the middle-aged inhabitants of paradise, of those who belonged to earliest and latest times, except the prophets and messengers." Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it on `Ali's authority.

Hudhaifa reported God's messenger as saying, "I do not know how long I shall remain among you, so copy those two who will remain after I am gone, Abu Bakr and `Umar." Tirmidhi transmitted it.