abuhajira

...2/2

There are four Aayats revealed which were similar to the opinion offered by Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu).

The Aayaats were not exactly like the opinions of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) as in the previous nine Aayaats.

1. Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said to the Jews: "I implore you in the name of Allah! Do you find the description of Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) in your books?" They replied, "Yes." He then asked them, "What is stopping you from following him?" They said, "Verily Allah does not send a messenger except that there is an angel appointed for him. Verily, Jibraaeel (Alayhis salaam) is the one who has been appointed for Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and he is our enemy from the angels, and Mikaaeel is our friend. If he had been with Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), we would have followed him." Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then told them, "Verily, I bear witness that Mikaaeeel does not have animosity for the friends of Jibraaeel (Alayhis salaam) and Jibraaeel (Alayhis salaam) does not befriend the enemies of Mikaaeel (Alayhis salaam)." The Aayat, "Say (O Muhammad), whoever is an enemy to Jibraaeel (Alayhis salaam) (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (Qur’aan) down to your heart by Allah’s permission confirming what came before it and (offers) guidance and glad tidings for the believers. Whoever is an enemy to Allah, His angels, His messengers, Jibraaeel and Mikaaeel, then verily Allah is an enemy to the disbelievers." (Baqarah 98)

2. Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) was desperate for wine to become Haraam and he used to say, "O Allah explain for us regarding wine, because verily it destroys wealth and intelligence." Then the Aayat, "They ask you (Muhammad) about wine and gambling; say, in them is a great sin and some benefit, but the sin is greater than their benefit." (Baqarah 219). Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) recited this Aayat to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu), but he did not find clarity; hence, he said, "O Allah, explain to us clearly." Then the Aayat, "O you who believe, do not come close to Salaat whilst you are intoxicated." (Nisaa 43). Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) read this Aayat to him, but he did not find proper clarity still so he said, "O Allah explain to us regarding wine very clearly." Then the Aayat, "O you who believe, intoxicants and gambling … are an abomination of Shaytaan… so avoid it." (Maaidah 90). Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) read this to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu). Then Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) finally stated, "We have stopped, O our Lord, we have stopped."

3. Abdullah ibn Abbaas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that once Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) sent a person from the Ansaar to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) during the afternoon to call him. When he came to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu), he found Umar in such a condition that Umar disliked anybody seeing him. Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then said, "O Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), I hope Allah Ta’ala commands us and directs us regarding the aspect of seeking permission." Thereafter the Aayat, "O you who believe, let your slaves and those among you who have not come to the age of puberty ask permission (before coming to your presence) on three occasions: before Fajr, while you put off your clothes for noonday rest..." (Noor 58)

4. When the Aayat, "(in the gardens of delight) a multitude of those will be from the first generation. And a few from later generation." (Waaqiah 13) was revealed, Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) began to cry and said, "O Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) and little from the later generations. We believe in the messenger of Allah and testify in him and which little from us will be saved?" Then Allah Ta’ala revealed the Aayat, "A multitude will be from the first generations and a multitude from the later generations." (Waaqiah 39-40). Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) then called him and told him that Allah Ta’ala has revealed what you said.

There were two opinions of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) which the Jews confirmed to be in the Tawrah.

1. Tariq ibn Shihaab (Radhiallaahu Anhu) narrates that a Jew came to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) and asked him, "Do you see the Aayat of Allah in the Qur’aan? 'and hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a Jannat whose width is the skies and earth. It is prepared for the muttaqeen (God-fearing).' (Aali Imraan 133)
"In that case, where is the fire, i.e. Jahannum?" Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) told the other Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that were present to answer him, but none of them could answer. Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then said to him, "Do you notice the day when it comes, doesn’t it fill the skies and earth?" He replied, "Yes, indeed." Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then asked him, "Then where is the night?" he replied, "to wherever Allah Ta’ala wishes." Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then told him (in the same way) "the fire is also wherever he wishes it to be." The Jew then took an oath saying to Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that, "O Ameerul Mu’mineen, verily it has been revealed in the book of Allah in the same way."

2. It has been narrated that Ka’ab Ahbaar (a famous Jewish rabbi) once said to Umar, "Destruction to the king of the world from the King of the sky." Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said, "with the exception of that person who restrains himself." Ka’ab then said, "By oath on that being in whose hands is my life, verily I have found it in the book of Allah." Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) then fell into Sajdah for Allah.
(Irshaad-us-saari vol.10 pg.518; Ilmiyyah)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai,
FATWA DEPT.