Excellence and Virtues of the Second caliph of Islam | Sayyiduna Umar Ibn al-Khattab Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

All praise is for Allah who ennobled the ability of those who desire to be his servants. I testify that there is no deity except Allah, the King of the distressed and the happy, I testify that our master Muhammad is his beloved Messenger, who establishes the right path, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions and the outstanding leaders.

The excellence and virtues of the second caliph of Islam, Sayyiduna Umar al-Farooq, may Allah be pleased with him, are more than can be counted. Here, I am mentioning the most famous ones. I only wish to bless myself by serving him by this remnant to benefit he who does not know much of his virtues by the ignorance before him. This small collection of Traditions will in sha Allah increase and elevate his rank in our hearts and minds and tell us of his exalted status in the court of Almighty Allah and His beloved Messenger SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam.

1. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) reports the Holy Prophet, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, as saying:

اللهم أعز الإسلام بأبى جهل بن هشام أو بعمر. قال فأصبح فغدا عمر على رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- فأسلم
"O Allah, strengthen Islam with Abu Jahl bin Hisham or Umar bin Khattab." In the morning Umar went to the Holy Prophet, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, and embraced Islam. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3683]

2. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates when Sayyiduna Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu accepted Islam, Jibraeel Alaihis Salam descent and said:

يا محمد لقد استبشر أهل السماء بإسلام عمر
"O Muhammad – may Allah send greetings and salutations on him – indeed, the residents of the heavens are rejoicing in Umar`s embracing Islam." [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 103]

3. It is related that Sayyiduna 'Abdullah Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said,

ما زلنا أعزة منذ أسلم عمر
"We have become mighty since 'Umar became Muslim." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3481]

4. Sayyiduna Uqbah bin Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Holy Prophet, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, said:

لو كان بعدى نبى لكان عمر بن الخطاب
If there were to be a prophet after me, indeed he would be Umar, son of Khattab. [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3686]

5. It is related that Sayyiduna Jabir ibn 'Abdullah said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

رأيتنى دخلت الجنة ، فإذا أنا بالرميصاء امرأة أبى طلحة وسمعت خشفة ، فقلت من هذا فقال هذا بلال . ورأيت قصرا بفنائه جارية ، فقلت لمن هذا فقال لعمر . فأردت أن أدخله فأنظر إليه ، فذكرت غيرتك » . فقال عمر بأمى وأبى يا رسول الله أعليك أغار طرفاه
"I dreamt that I entered the Garden and there was ar-Rumaysa', the wife of Abu Talha. I heard a faint sound and said, 'Who is this?' He said, 'This is Bilal.' I saw a palace with a girl in its courtyard and said, 'Who does this belong to?' They said, ''Umar.' I wanted to enter it and look at it but then I remembered your self-esteem.' 'Umar said, 'By my mother and father, Messenger of Allah, would I consider self-esteem on account of you?'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3476]

6. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates that one day the Holy Prophet, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, went out and entered the mosque with Abu Bakr and Umar, one on his right hand and the other on his left, holding their hands. Then he said:

هكذا نبعث يوم القيامة
"We will be raised thus on the Day of Resurrection." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3669]

 

7. Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates:

قال عمر لأبى بكر يا خير الناس بعد رسول الله. فقال أبو بكر أما إنك إن قلت ذاك فلقد سمعت رسول الله -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يقول ما طلعت الشمس على رجل خير من عمر
Umar said to Abu Bakr, "O best of men after Allah`s Messenger, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him!" Abu Bakr replied, "Seeing that you have that, (I would also tell you that) I heard Allah`s Messenger, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, say, "The sun has not risen on a better man than Umar."" [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3684]

8. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with both the father and the son) narrates that Allah`s Messenger, may Allah send greetings and salutations on him, said,

إن الله جعل الحق على لسان عمر وقلبه
"Indeed, Allah has placed truth upon Umar`s tongue and heart." [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 2682]

9. It is related from Sayyiduna Abu Hamzah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

بينا أنا نائم شربت - يعنى اللبن - حتى أنظر إلى الرى يجرى فى ظفرى أو فى أظفارى ، ثم ناولت عمر. فقالوا فما أولته قال العلم
"While I was asleep, I dreamt that I drank (milk) until I could feel moisture coming out of my nails and then I gave it to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab." They asked, "How do you interpret it, Messenger of Allah?" He replied, "It means knowledge." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3478]

10. It is related that Sayyiduna 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

أريت فى المنام أنى أنزع بدلو بكرة على قليب ، فجاء أبو بكر فنزع ذنوبا أو ذنوبين نزعا ضعيفا ، والله يغفر له ، ثم جاء عمر بن الخطاب فاستحالت غربا ، فلم أر عبقريا يفرى فريه حتى روى الناس وضربوا بعطن
"I dreamt that I was at a well drawing water with a young camel's bucket, Abu Bakr came and drew one or two buckets, but there was some weakness in his drawing. May Allah forgive him. Then 'Umar ibn al-Khattab came and it turned into a large bucket in his hand. I have not seen a leader among the people work so well as he did until the people watered their camels." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3479]

11. It is related that Sayyiduna Sa'id ibn Abi Waqqas said,

استأذن عمر بن الخطاب على رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ، وعنده نسوة من قريش يكلمنه ويستكثرنه ، عالية أصواتهن على صوته فلما استأذن عمر بن الخطاب قمن فبادرن الحجاب فأذن له رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فدخل عمر ورسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يضحك ، فقال عمر أضحك الله سنك يا رسول الله . فقال النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - « عجبت من هؤلاء اللاتى كن عندى فلما سمعن صوتك ابتدرن الحجاب » . فقال عمر فأنت أحق أن يهبن يا رسول الله . ثم قال عمر يا عدوات أنفسهن ، أتهبننى ولا تهبن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقلن نعم ، أنت أفظ وأغلظ من رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - . فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إيها يا ابن الخطاب والذى نفسى بيده ما لقيك الشيطان سالكا فجا قط إلا سلك فجا غير فجك
"'Umar asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, for permission to enter while there were some women of Quraysh with him who speaking to him and asking him for more, raising their voices above his voice. When 'Umar ibn al-Khattab asked for permission to enter, they rushed to screen themselves. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, gave him permission and 'Umar entered while the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was laughing. 'Umar said, 'May Allah make you laugh, Messenger of Allah.' He said, 'I am amazed at those women who were with me. When they heard your voice, they rushed to screen themselves.' 'Umar said, 'But you, Messenger of Allah, are more entitled to be feared.' Then he said, 'O enemies of your selves! Do you fear me and not fear the Messenger of Allah?' They said, 'Yes, you are harsher and more severe than the Messenger of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah said, 'O Ibn al-Khattab! By the One in whose hand my soul is, whenever Shaytan finds you taking a path, he only takes a path other than your path.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3480]

12. It is related that Sayyiduna Ibn 'Abbas said,

وضع عمر على سريره ، فتكنفه الناس يدعون ويصلون قبل أن يرفع ، وأنا فيهم ، فلم يرعنى إلا رجل آخذ منكبى ، فإذا على فترحم على عمر ، وقال ما خلفت أحدا أحب إلى أن ألقى الله بمثل عمله منك ، وايم الله ، إن كنت لأظن أن يجعلك الله مع صاحبيك ، وحسبت أنى كنت كثيرا أسمع النبى - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يقول ذهبت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر ، ودخلت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر ، وخرجت أنا وأبو بكر وعمر
"'Umar ibn al-Khattab who had been placed on his bed, and the people gathered around him to make supplication and pray before he was removed. I was among them. I was startled when a man took hold of my shoulders, and it was 'Ali ibn Abi Talib. He asked for mercy for 'Umar and said, 'You have not left behind anyone I would prefer to encounter with the like of your actions. By Allah, I used to think that Allah would put you with your two companions. I reckoned this as I often heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar went..." and "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar entered..." and "I and Abu Bakr and 'Umar left."'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3482]

 

13. It is added that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

لقد كان فيمن كان قبلكم من بنى إسرائيل رجال يكلمون من غير أن يكونوا أنبياء ، فإن يكن من أمتى منهم أحد فعمر
"Among the tribe of Israel before you were men who were spoken to without being Prophets. If there are any of them among my community, then it is 'Umar." [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3486]

14. It is related that Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say,

بينا أنا نائم رأيت الناس عرضوا على وعليهم قمص ، فمنها ما يبلغ الثدى ، ومنها ما يبلغ دون ذلك ، وعرض على عمر وعليه قميص اجتره . قالوا فما أولته يا رسول الله قال الدين
'While I was asleep, I dreamed I saw some people who were shown to me and who were wearing shirts some of which reached to their breasts and some of which were shorter than that. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab was shown to me wearing a shirt that was trailing on the ground.' They asked, 'How do you interpret that, Messenger of Allah?' He answered, 'The Religion.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3488]

15. The son of Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, Imam Muhammad bin Hanafiyya Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu narrates:

قلت لأبى أى الناس خير بعد رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال أبو بكر . قلت ثم من قال ثم عمر
'I asked my father who was the best of people after the Holy Prophet and he answered "Abu Bakr". I asked him who is the best of people after Abu Bakr and he replied, "Umar"' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith 3468]

16. Hadrat Abdullah bin Salma Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu reports from Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Allahu Ta'ala Anhu ,

خیر الناس بعد رسول الله صلی الله تعالی علیه وسلم ابوبكر وخیر الناس بعد ابوبكر عمر
'After the Noble Messenger, the best of people is Abu Bakr, then the best of people is Umar' [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 111]

17. Narrated by Sayyiduna Hudhaifa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu, He said: Beloved Prophet SallAllaho Alaihi wa Sallam said,

اقتدوا باللذين من بعدي أبي بكر و عمر
“Follow after me from my companions Abu-Bakr and 'Umar.” [Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3742]

18. Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Mas'ood Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu said:

لو وضع علم عمر في كفة ميزان و وضع علم الناس في كفة لرجح علم عمر
"If the knowledge of 'Umar was put on one side of a scale, and the knowledge of the people on the other side of the scale, 'Umar's knowledge would weigh more." [Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahîhayn‎, Vol. 3, Page 92, Hadith 4497]

 

19. Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal records a hadith narrated upon the authority of Sayyiduna Qabisah ibn Jaabir who said:

ما رأيت رجلا أعلم بالله ولا أقرأ لكتاب الله ولا أفقه في دين الله من عمر
I haven't seen anyone more knowledgeable about the book of Allah and His religion, nor anyone more upholding of the limits imposed by Allah, nor anyone more feared and respected in the breasts of men than 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab. [Fadail al-Sahaba, Vol. 1, Page 330, Hadith 472]

20. Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah ennoble his face) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

أبوبكر وعمر سيدا كهول أهل الجنة من الأولين والآخرين، ما خلا النبيين والمرسلين
“Abu Bakr and `Umar are the leaders of the mature inhabitants of Paradise, of the first and the last with the exception of the Prophets and the Messengers.” [Jami' al-Ahadith, Hadith 233]

21. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

أبو بكر وعمر من هذا الدين كمنزلة السمع والبصر من الرأس
“Abu Bakr and Umar are to the religion like the station of the hearing and the sight to the head.” [Al-Khattib in Tarikh, Vol. 8, Page 459 from Jabir]

22. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

أبو بكر وعمر مني بمنزلة هارون من موسى
“Abu Bakr and Umar are to me in the station of Haroon from Musa.” [Al-Khattib in Tarikh, Vol. 5, Page 194]

23. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

عمر مني وأنا من عمر، والحق بعدي مع عمر حيث كان
“I am from Umar and Umar is from me. The truth, after me, is with Umar wherever he is.” [Al-Tabrani in Awsat, Vol. 3, Page 104, Hadith 2629]

24. Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) struck the chest of Umar with his hand when he became Muslim and said,

اللهم أخرج ما في صدر عمر من غل وداء، وأبدله إيمانا - ثلاثا
“O Allah take out from the heart of Umar rancour and disease in exchange for faith.” (Three times) [Jami' al-Ahadith, Hadith 4812]

25. Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

أتاني جبريل عليه السلام فقال: أقرىء عمر السلام وقل له: إن رضاه حكم، وإن غضبه عزّ
“Jibril, upon him peace, came to me and said, Convey greeting to Umar and say to him his satisfaction is wisdom and his anger might.” [Al-Tabrani in Kabir, Vol. 10, Page 207, Hadith 12302]

26. A freed bondswoman of Sayyidah Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

إن الشيطان لم يلق عمر منذ أسلم إلا خر لوجهه
“Satan has not meet Umar since he became Muslim except murmur in his face.” [Al-Tabarani in Al-Kabir, Vol. 18, Page 42, Hadith 20230]

27. Sayyiduna Abu Dhar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) saw Umar and said,

لا تصيبنكم فتنة ما دام هذا فيكم
“You shall not be afflicted with tribulation as long as he is amongst you.” [Al-Tabarani in Awsat, Vol. 4, Page 478, Hadith 2019]

28. Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id Al-Khudari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

من أبغض عمر فقد أبغضني، ومن أحب عمر فقد أحبني
“Whoever hates Umar hates me. Whoever loves Umar loves me.” [Al-Tabarani in Awsat, Vol. 14, Page 493, Hadith 6915]

29. Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

إن كان إسلام عمر لفتحاً وهجرته لنصراً، وإمارته رحمة، والله ما استطعنا أن نصلي عند البيت الكعبة ظاهرين
“If the Islam of Umar was an opening his migration was a victory and his leadership mercy. I swear by Allah that we were unable to pray at the Ka’aba publically until Umar became Muslim.” [Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahîhayn‎, Vol. 3, Page 90 Hadith 4487]

 

30. Sayyiduna Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

يا عمار أتاني جبريل آنفاً فقلت: يا جبريل حدثني بفضائل عمر بن الخطاب في السماء فقال: يا محمد لو حدثتك بفضائل عمر منذ ما لبث نوح في قومه ألف سنة إلا خمسين عاما ما نفدت فضائل عمر
“O Ammar, Jibril came to me and I asked, “O Jibril narrate to me the virtues of Umar ibn Al-Khattab in the heavens.” He said, “O Muhammad, if I was to narrate the virtues of Umar from the time that Nuh remained with his people, nine hundred and fifty years, I would not exhaust the virtues of Umar.” [Abu Y’alla in Musnad, Vol. 4, Page 173, Hadith 1568]

And Allah is the giver of success; Allah is sufficient for us and a blessed protector. All praise belongs to Allah, the first, the last, the internal, the external and may Allah bless his Messenger, his prophet, our master Muhammad, his family, his companions, his group and his party; O Allah please accept. All praise belongs to Allah master of the universe.