Virtues of Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه)
In the history of the world, there are very few personalities who possess such a combination of abilities and virtues that on one hand, they excel in conquests and establishing a just and equitable system of governance, promoting equality, justice, and religious tolerance to the highest degree, while on the other hand, they embody spirituality, asceticism, piety, and insight to their fullest. In this context, in the annals of history, no one appears comparable to Sayyidina Umar Farooq (رضي الله عنه). When it comes to justice and equity, you stand out uniquely and distinctly due to your practical role. You are one of the eminent and exceptional figures of the Islamic history, a second crown after the Prophet (ﷺ), a close companion during the mission, and an exemplary figure of the Rightly Guided Caliphs. Sayyidina Umar’s greatness is acknowledged not only by his own followers but even by those who do not share his faith, due to his multifaceted qualities. While he wasn’t a prophet, Allah blessed him with the power of expression to convey divine wisdom, resulting in articles that became part of revelation. After embracing Islam, he transformed into an ardent advocate of Islam and the Prophet (ﷺ). He was often by the side of the Messenger of Allah, serving as his special advisor, and dedicating his life to the betterment of Islam and its followers.
Table of Contents
ToggleThe Virtues of Umar ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه)
The Prophetic Testimony of Religion Beyond Linguistic Bounds.
“The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, not only testified to the faith of Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), but he also testified to his commitment to the faith. As narrated by Sayyidina Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, gave the following guidance:”
حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عُفَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي اللَّيْثُ، حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو أُمَامَةَ بْنُ سَهْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ” بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ رَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ عُرِضُوا عَلَىَّ، وَعَلَيْهِمْ قُمُصٌ، فَمِنْهَا مَا يَبْلُغُ الثَّدْىَ، وَمِنْهَا مَا يَبْلُغُ دُونَ ذَلِكَ، وَعُرِضَ عَلَىَّ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ وَعَلَيْهِ قَمِيصٌ يَجْتَرُّهُ ”. قَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ” الدِّينَ ”.
Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “While I was sleeping, I saw (in a dream) the people being displayed before me, wearing shirts, some of which (were so short that it) reached as far as their breasts and some reached below that. Then `Umar bin Al-Khattab was shown to me and he was wearing a shirt which he was dragging (behind him).” They asked. What have you interpreted (about the dream)? O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He said, “The religion.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 7009)
“After reciting the declaration of faith (Shahada), the significance of faith becomes immensely profound. It is this very faith that leads a person to paradise and elevates their status. The responsibility of bringing this faith is mentioned multiple times in the Noble Quran by the command of the Almighty. Many of us aspire to become believers, yet it remains uncertain whether we will truly attain that status. However, the honor lies with Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه), for Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, had already testified to his faith in this world.”
Testimony of Faith.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حَيْوَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عَقِيلٍ، زُهْرَةُ بْنُ مَعْبَدٍ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَدَّهُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهْوَ آخِذٌ بِيَدِ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لأَنْتَ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ إِلاَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لاَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكَ مِنْ نَفْسِكَ ”. فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ فَإِنَّهُ الآنَ وَاللَّهِ لأَنْتَ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْ نَفْسِي. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” الآنَ يَا عُمَرُ ”.
Narrated `Abdullah bin Hisham: We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) and he was holding the hand of `Umar bin Al-Khattab. `Umar said to Him, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! You are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “No, by Him in Whose Hand my soul is, (you will not have complete faith) till I am dearer to you than your own self.” Then `Umar said to him, “However, now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Now, O `Umar, (now you are a believer). (Sahih al-Bukhari 6632)
We were with the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, and you were holding the hand of Umar ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه) I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), you are more beloved to me than everything, except my own self.’ The Noble Prophet (ﷺ), ‘No! By the One in whose hand is my soul, faith cannot be complete until I am dearer to you than your own self.’ Umar, (رضي الله عنه), then said, ‘Now, by Allah, you are more beloved to me than even my own self.’ The Prophet (ﷺ), said, ‘Now, O Umar, your faith is complete.’
Testimony of Knowledge.
“Indeed, numerous noble companions, (رضي الله عنهم), acquired teachings of the faith from the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him. You, too, continued to learn from him, imbibing a multitude of knowledge. However, the distinction lies in your favor as well, for Allah’s Messenger, peace be upon him, has borne witness not only to your faith but also to your profound understanding of the religion.
Hence, the Prophet, peace be upon him, guided us by saying:”
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الصَّلْتِ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الْكُوفِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حَمْزَةُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ” بَيْنَا أَنَا نَائِمٌ شَرِبْتُ ـ يَعْنِي اللَّبَنَ ـ حَتَّى أَنْظُرُ إِلَى الرِّيِّ يَجْرِي فِي ظُفُرِي أَوْ فِي أَظْفَارِي، ثُمَّ نَاوَلْتُ عُمَرَ ”. فَقَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَهُ قَالَ ” الْعِلْمَ ”.
Narrated Hamza’s father: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “While I was sleeping, I saw myself drinking (i.e. milk), and I was so contented that I saw the milk flowing through my nails. Then I gave (the milk) to `Umar.” They (i.e. the companions of the Prophet) asked, “What do you interpret it?” He said, “Knowledge.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3681)
The Prophetic Testimony of Truthfulness.
Wow, what a sacrifice! Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab (رضي الله عنه), on whom the testimony of truthfulness and righteousness was bestowed by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). You consistently spoke the truth, your decisions were just, and many instances reflect your unwavering commitment to the truth. There are numerous occasions where Sayyidina Umar’s suggestions were aligned with the divine revelations, causing Allah, the Almighty, to reveal verses in agreement with his opinions. Many judgments that came alongside the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would also mirror the decisions of Sayyidina Umar, as if those were decisions decreed by the Lord of the Kaaba.
This is the reason why we find the narration from Sayyidina Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه), that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, guided us by saying:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَارِجَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَعَلَ الْحَقَّ عَلَى لِسَانِ عُمَرَ وَقَلْبِهِ ” . وَقَالَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ مَا نَزَلَ بِالنَّاسِ أَمْرٌ قَطُّ فَقَالُوا فِيهِ وَقَالَ فِيهِ عُمَرُ أَوْ قَالَ ابْنُ الْخَطَّابِ فِيهِ شَكَّ خَارِجَةُ إِلاَّ نَزَلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ عَلَى نَحْوِ مَا قَالَ عُمَرُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ الْفَضْلِ بْنِ الْعَبَّاسِ وَأَبِي ذَرٍّ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ . وَخَارِجَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ هُوَ ابْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتِ وَهُوَ ثِقَةٌ .
Narrated Nafi’: from Ibn ‘Umar, that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Indeed Allah has put the truth upon the tongue and in the heart of ‘Umar.” He said: “And Ibn ‘Umar said: ‘No affair occurred among the people, except that they said something about it, and ‘Umar said something about it'” or he said – “Ibn Al-Khattab” – Kharijah (one of the narrators) had a doubt about it – “except that the Qur’an was revealed in line with what ‘Umar had said.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3682)
Beloved Mustafa.
There were many noble companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, who remained by your side, acquiring teachings from you, and were ready at every moment to follow your every command. They held a constant eagerness to sacrifice their lives for your sake, yet the distinction remains that this honor pertains only to a few select individuals, among whom Sayyidina Umar (رضي الله عنه) stood out. Those were the few through whom the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, held a greater affection. Thus, Umar ibn al-Khattab and Umar ibn al-As, may Allah be pleased with them, inquired of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him:
حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى بْنُ أَسَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ الْمُخْتَارِ، قَالَ خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ حَدَّثَنَا عَنْ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْعَاصِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعَثَهُ عَلَى جَيْشِ ذَاتِ السَّلاَسِلِ، فَأَتَيْتُهُ فَقُلْتُ أَىُّ النَّاسِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْكَ قَالَ ” عَائِشَةُ ”. فَقُلْتُ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ فَقَالَ ” أَبُوهَا ”. قُلْتُ ثُمَّ مَنْ قَالَ ” ثُمَّ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ ”. فَعَدَّ رِجَالاً.
Narrated `Amr bin Al-As: The Prophet (ﷺ) deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, “Who is the most beloved person to you?” He said, ” `Aisha.” I asked, “Among the men?” He said, “Her father.” I said, “Who then?” He said, “Then `Umar bin Al-Khattab.” He then named other men. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3662)
The Intended Mustafa
When the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, initially announced his prophethood, people gradually started embracing Islam. Those who accepted Islam were mostly from the poorer segments of society. For Sayyidina Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, the distinction lies in the fact that while the rest of the noble companions, (رضي الله عنهم) all, came to the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, on their own accord, Sayyidina Umar earnestly prayed and implored Allah so that through him, Islam could become even stronger and more established. Sayyidina Abdullah bin Umar, (رضي الله عنه), also narrates that the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), would often make this supplication:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَافِعٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَارِجَةُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلاَمَ بِأَحَبِّ هَذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ إِلَيْكَ بِأَبِي جَهْلٍ أَوْ بِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ ” . قَالَ وَكَانَ أَحَبَّهُمَا إِلَيْهِ عُمَرُ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ .
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “O Allah! Honor Islam through the most dear of these two men to you: Through Abu Jahl or through ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab.” He said: “And the most dear of them to Him was ‘Umar.”(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3681)
Inspiration’s Occurrence.
This distinction is attributed solely to Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab, (رضي الله عنه), who was the only personality within the Muslim Ummah to receive divine inspiration. As narrated by Sayyidina Abu Huraira, (رضي الله عنه), the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, guided us by saying:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ قَزَعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَا قَبْلَكُمْ مِنَ الأُمَمِ مُحَدَّثُونَ، فَإِنْ يَكُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَحَدٌ فَإِنَّهُ عُمَرُ ”.
زَادَ زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ عَنْ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” لَقَدْ كَانَ فِيمَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ مِنْ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ رِجَالٌ يُكَلَّمُونَ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَكُونُوا أَنْبِيَاءَ، فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْ أُمَّتِي مِنْهُمْ أَحَدٌ فَعُمَرُ ”.
قال ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: “من نبيِّ ولا محدَّث.”Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Among the nations before you there used to be people who were inspired (though they were not prophets). And if there is any of such a persons amongst my followers, it is ‘Umar.”
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Among the nation of Bani Israel who lived before you, there were men who used to be inspired with guidance though they were not prophets, and if there is any of such persons amongst my followers, it is ‘Umar.”(Sahih al-Bukhari 3689)
Extreme Rigor in Religious Affairs
Allah Almighty bestows His servants with various qualities; some are good, some are very good, some are bad, and some are very bad. Some are good in one context and great in another, while some are considered bad in one aspect and worse in another. However, the honor attributed to Sayyidina Umar, (رضي الله عنه), is that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, singled out a particular virtue of his, saying that Umar is exceedingly firm in matters of religion. He is never prone to slackness, negligence, or compromise when it comes to religious matters. As narrated by Sayyidina Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), guided us by saying:
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَجِيدِ الثَّقَفِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ الْحَذَّاءُ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ أَرْحَمُ أُمَّتِي بِأُمَّتِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ وَأَشَدُّهُمْ فِي أَمْرِ اللَّهِ عُمَرُ وَأَصْدَقُهُمْ حَيَاءً عُثْمَانُ وَأَقْرَؤُهُمْ لِكِتَابِ اللَّهِ أُبَىُّ بْنُ كَعْبٍ وَأَفْرَضُهُمْ زَيْدُ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ وَأَعْلَمُهُمْ بِالْحَلاَلِ وَالْحَرَامِ مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ أَلاَ وَإِنَّ لِكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ أَمِينًا وَإِنَّ أَمِينَ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ ” . هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Narrated Anas bin Malik: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “The most merciful of my nation to my nation is Abu Bakr, and the most severe of them concerning the order of Allah is ‘Umar, and the most truly modest of them is ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan. The best reciter (of the Qur’an) among them is Ubayy bin Ka’b, the most knowledgeable of them concerning (the laws of) inheritance is Zaid bin Thabit, the most knowledgeable of them concerning the lawful and the unlawful is Mu’adh bin Jabal. Truly, every nation has a trustworthy one, and the trustworthy one of this nation is Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah.”(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3791)
Umar, (رضي الله عنه), the Leader of the Paradise-Dwellers
Sayyidina Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that I was present with the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, and there was no one else there except Allah the Almighty. Then, your gaze fell upon Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Umar, and you said:
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ الصَّبَّاحِ الْبَزَّارُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ الْعَبْدِيُّ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ “ هَذَانِ سَيِّدَا كُهُولِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ مِنَ الأَوَّلِينَ وَالآخِرِينَ إِلاَّ النَّبِيِّينَ وَالْمُرْسَلِينَ ” . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ مِنْ هَذَا الْوَجْهِ .
Narrated Anas: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said about Abu Bakr and ‘Umar: “These two are the masters of the elder people among the inhabitants of Paradise. From the first ones and the last ones, not including the Prophets and the Messengers. But do not inform them O ‘Ali.”(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3664)
If there were to be a prophet after me!
“Perhaps, for the virtue of Sayyidina Umar, it suffices to say that if there were to be a prophet after the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, it would have been Umar ibn Khattab. As narrated by Sayyidina Aqba bin Amir, the Messenger of Allah, (ﷺ), guided us by saying:”
حَدَّثَنَا سَلَمَةُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُقْرِئُ، عَنْ حَيْوَةَ بْنِ شُرَيْحٍ، عَنْ بَكْرِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ مِشْرَحِ بْنِ هَاعَانَ، عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لَوْ كَانَ بَعْدِي نَبِيٌّ لَكَانَ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ” . قَالَ هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ مِشْرَحِ بْنِ هَاعَانَ .
Narrated ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If there was to have a Prophet after me, it would have been ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab.”(Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3686)
Whom even Satan changes course upon seeing!
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الْحَمِيدِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ سَعْدَ بْنَ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ قَالَ اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَعِنْدَهُ نِسَاءٌ مِنْ قُرَيْشٍ يُكَلِّمْنَهُ وَيَسْتَكْثِرْنَهُ، عَالِيَةً أَصْوَاتُهُنَّ، فَلَمَّا اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ، قُمْنَ يَبْتَدِرْنَ الْحِجَابَ، فَأَذِنَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَضْحَكُ، فَقَالَ عُمَرُ أَضْحَكَ اللَّهُ سِنَّكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. قَالَ ” عَجِبْتُ مِنْ هَؤُلاَءِ اللاَّتِي كُنَّ عِنْدِي، فَلَمَّا سَمِعْنَ صَوْتَكَ ابْتَدَرْنَ الْحِجَابَ ”. قَالَ عُمَرُ فَأَنْتَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كُنْتَ أَحَقَّ أَنْ يَهَبْنَ. ثُمَّ قَالَ أَىْ عَدُوَّاتِ أَنْفُسِهِنَّ، أَتَهَبْنَنِي وَلاَ تَهَبْنَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْنَ نَعَمْ، أَنْتَ أَفَظُّ وَأَغْلَظُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ مَا لَقِيَكَ الشَّيْطَانُ قَطُّ سَالِكًا فَجًّا إِلاَّ سَلَكَ فَجًّا غَيْرَ فَجِّكَ ”.
Narrated Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas: Once `Umar asked the leave to see Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) in whose company there were some Quraishi women who were talking to him and asking him for more financial support raising their voices. When `Umar asked permission to enter the women got up (quickly) hurrying to screen themselves. When Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) admitted `Umar, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was smiling, `Umar asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! May Allah keep you in happiness always.” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I am astonished at these women who were with me. As soon as they heard your voice, they hastened to screen themselves.” `Umar said, “O Allah’s Apostle! You have more right to be feared by them.” Then he addressed (those women) saying, “O enemies of your own souls! Do you fear me and not Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ?” They replied. “Yes, for you are a fearful and fierce man as compared with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ).” On that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said (to `Umar), “By Him in Whose Hands my life is, whenever Satan sees you taking a path, he follows a path other than yours.”(Sahih al-Bukhari 3294)