[Golden Words of Wisdom] Sayings of Sayyiduna 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu

Gems of Wisdom by Ameer al-Mu'mineen
Sayyiduna 'Umar al-Farooq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho

• To eat less is healthy, to speak less is wisdom, and to sleep less is worship.
• To speak less is wisdom, to eat less is healthy and to mingle less with the people is safe and serene.
• The one who steps back will not progress.
• Nothing is worst than avarice that destroys the mind, not even Alcohol.
• It is unbecoming of that person who sits with his hands folded and prays to ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala for sustenance. ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala does not rain down gold and silver from the heavens.
• To earn a suspicious living is worse than begging.
• The biggest gift after Iman (Faith) is your wives.
• Attain knowledge before old age settles in.
• Extravagance is also when a person eats whatever he wishes.
• Whosoever hides his secret keeps his safety, safeguarded with himself.
• The person who calls himself learned, indeed he is ignorant, and the one who calls himself from the dwellers of Paradise surely he is from the dwellers of Hell.
• Tawbatun-NasooHa (Accepted forgiveness) is the name of that forgiveness that is asked for a bad deed committed, in such a manner that he never returns to or commits that bad deed again.
• The Strength in action is, never to put of what you can do today for tomorrow.
• It is not becoming of a Muslim to sit down and start praying for sustenance without attempting to earn it, he is well aware that gold and silver does not rain from the skies.
• If it wasn’t for the claim of knowledge of the unknown then I would say five people are from the dwellers of Paradise:

1. That family man who is poverty stricken but is patient
2. That women with whom her husband is happy and accepting.
3. That woman who forgives he husband’s duty of Mehr (Dowry approved by Muslim law)
4. That person with whom his parents are Happy
5. And that person who honestly repents from his sins

• Once a sheep was slaughtered and Syeduna 'Umar al-Farooq Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho persistently asked his servant if he had first sent meat to his neighbor who was a Jew. The slave asked why you are asking the same question persistently. He answered that ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and his Rasūl Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam had constantly stressed the importance of neighbors therefore I too am persistent in stressing the same.
• Three things build love:

1. To make Salam (greeting)
2. To make space for a person in a gathering
3. To address a person in a respectable and good manner

•  There are four types of Regrets:

1. Regret that spans over a day e.g. When a person leaves his home without eating.
2. Regret that spans over a year, just like the negligence shown when cultivating.
3. Regret that spans over a lifetime, when a man and his wife are unsuited to each other.
4. Regret that is eternal, which is when your Creator is unhappy with you.

• There are three types of people:

1. Successful: he who listens to the advice of people and ponders over it.
2. Lazy or Lethargic: he who does what he wants without consultation or advice of people.
3. Corpse: who neither gives nor listens to advice and consolation.

• Sayyiduna 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho on many an occasion asked this du'a (supplication) to ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala so that certain situations should always remain with him and some things should be removed, the Du'a is: “O ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala! Make me such that I may speak with intellect or reap tolerance with silent. O! ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala do not bestow upon me too many favours, so that I may not be confused by it, not too little that I may forget You. Hence, little yet sufficient in comparison to having plenty thereby becoming indulgent and committing sin.”
• If ever you see a learned person ('Aalim) leaning towards this World, then know this he is blameworthy for his Religion, because the universal harm is that if a person desires something then he is constantly engrossed in its quest.
• Faith (Iman) is to regard the Oneness of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala in ones heart proclaim it with your tongue and to obey the fundamental Islamic Instructions.
• The relationship of true humility and genuine fear of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is with the heart and not by a show of outward actions.
• Why have you made slaves of those whose mothers had given birth to them free?
• Judgments or Settlements in any cases should be done quickly, so that the accused, due to a prolonged period of time are not compelled to withdraw their accusation.
• It is absolutely necessary not to associate with a beast for though he wishes or means well, yet he would still be accused of committing a crime.
• ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, shower your Blessings of Mercy on that person who informs me of my faults.
• When a learned man takes a false step then he ensnares himself in a World of wrongdoings.
• One day a man was praising Hadrat 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, he replied by saying why are you destroying me even more with my desires (Nafs).
• I am not a fool, but I pretend to be a fool, in order to fool the fool. And just when the fool thinks I am a fool, I will expose the fool and show to him that he is the fool.
   

• I do not look at anything, except, that I see everything with ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
• If I die in this condition that I have strived to earn an honest living then it is more beloved to me than even dying as a Martyr.
• Good behavior towards people is equivalent to wisdom, to request politely is half of knowledge, and to ascribe to sound policies is half of one’s livelihood.
• To educate a material person is like placing a sword in the hands of a robber.
• Do not have Faith in a person’s compassion and politeness when he cannot keep his anger under control.
• Do not have Faith in a religious person who is not tested during temptation.
• He is a friend who brings to your attention your faults and to sing praises of a person in his presence is similar to slaughtering him.
• Laughing decreases ones age, while politeness, glamor, pomp and show which ease living standards are indications of people who are unaware of death.
• To show greed and avarice is impoverishing, to be unselfish is enriching and to wish compensation in patience.
• Good deeds are the fulfillment of one’s rights and to do good deeds is a substitute for bad deeds.
• To speak less is wisdom, to eat less is healthy, to sleep less is a prayer and there is peace in solitude.
• Youth before old age and old age before death is a blessing of life.
• A generous person is the beloved of Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala even though he is a transgressor. A miser is the enemy of Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala although he may pray and remember Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala excessively.
• To forgive an oppressor is oppression upon the oppressed.
• When you combine lawful with unlawful gains then the unlawful contaminates the lawful gains though it may be little.
• A Mu'min does not keep as his friend one who is opposed to Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and his Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam even though that person may be his mother or father.
• The sound of music and that of a mourner are two of the worst sounds.
• There is tranquility and peace in anonymity and confidentiality.
• We should leave the other nine portions out for the fear of Haram (unlawful). (i.e. if in ten portions one is Haram a Muslim would leave the other nine portions out meaning anything unlawful would be completely left out).

• Desire is never achieved without fear, nor manners and etiquette without formality, or happiness without peace or wealth without gifts or poverty without contentment, or dignity without politeness or Jihad (holy war) without diving guidance and assistance.
• Respite before preoccupation and old age before death is a blessing of life.
• Honour and dignity in this World is measured by wealth while honour and dignity in the Hereafter is measured by good deeds.
• Save yourself from the Fires of Hell even if it means by doing a favour with half a date (fruit). If this too is not possible then with sweet words.
• After Iman (Faith), there is no greater gift than a pious wife.
• Not to postpone is strength in action.
• Whosoever shows you your faults, he is your friend. Those that pay you lip service in praise are your executioners.
• One who guards his secrets is surely safe.
• The person who constantly discloses my faults to me is dearest to me.
• Fear that person who you dislike.
• When Sayyiduna 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho camped on the outskirts of Jerusalem to conquer Bait al-Maqdas, the Christian Crusaders were terrified of his presence and requested a meeting with him before handing over the keys of the city. The Crusaders met him whilst he wore a patched garb. They asked him the reason as to why his name generated such immense awe and fear that captured the hearts of his enemies. He replied; “Your kings taught you to love the World (Duniyah) and its wealth and our Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam taught us to fear ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and love death.
• He is an intelligent person who can translate his actions into good.
• Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
• There is never a chance of pain in the neck if one does not raise his head too high in the air.
• Do not forget about yourself whilst being concerned for others.
• To stop sinning is easier than to bear the burden of seeking repentance.
• Remove your gaze from the splendor of the World. Do not let the love of this World enter your heart. Beware! The love of this World does not perhaps destroy you, just as it had destroyed previous nations.
• Victory is gained through strategy and trust in ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, not by wishful thinking.
• The most intelligent amongst you is he who fears ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala the most.
• Be sympathetic towards the poor so that they may be able to speak and build courage.
• Extend a hand of friendship to a foreigner because if his stay is extended then he would leave his valuable possessions to return to his own country and leave that person responsible for his valuables who had been most worthy of his attention
• Do not taunt and curse anyone for this gives rise to collective evils in a person.
• One should not judge a person by the number of Salaat (prayer) or Roza (fasting) but by his wisdom and honesty.
• To die for the right is better than to live for falsehood. Courage is recommend, cowardice is detestable, and falsehood is vulnerable to vanish!
   
• Prayer is connected to the heart not by mere apparent actions.
• To educate a seeker of materialism is to place a sword in the hands of a highway robber.
• Do not trust the character of one who cannot control his temper.
• To laugh excessively is a sign of no remorse for death.
• To side with the oppressor is oppression on the oppressed.
• Death is the best teacher.

• The dearest of you as long as you have not met us are the best in names. But after we had seen you, the best of you to us are the best of you in character. When we scrutinize you, the dearest of you to us are the most truthful of you in speech.
• People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) but now there are no longer any new revelations. Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favor the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.
• The best days we ever lived were by virtue of patience, and if patience were to take the shape of a man, he would be a noble and generous man.
• Take yourself to account before you are taken to account, weigh your actions before they are weighed, and beautify yourself for the ultimate presentation. On that day not the slightest secret will be hidden.
• It was Sayyiduna Umar’s daily routine to visit the homes of soldiers who were on the battlefield and ask their womenfolk if they had to make any purchases from the market, and he would do it for them. They would send their maids and Sayyiduna Umar would make the purchases and hand over to them. When a messenger came from the battlefield, bringing letters from soldiers, the Caliph would himself deliver them at their homes and tell them the messenger would return on such and such date, and they should keep their letters ready by that time, He would himself supply paper, pen, and ink, and when there was no literate person in a family, he would himself sit outside the door and write to their dictation.
• There is no goodness in you if you do not say ‘Fear Allah’ and there is no goodness in us if we do not listen.
• When Sayyiduna Umar appointed anyone as a governor, he wrote down for him a covenant to which a group of muhajirs (up to ten in number) bore witness. The conditions and terms were: He would not ride a workhorse, not eat luxurious food, not wear fine garment and not shut his door to the needy. If he did any of these things then he was liable to punishment.
• Lower your gaze from the world and turn your heart away from it.
• I will inform you about what is lawful for me from the wealth of Allah: An outfit for the winter, an outfit for the summer, mount that I can ride upon for Hajj and Umrah, and food for my family, such as given to a man from the Quraish who is neither the richest nor the poorest among them. I am simply a man among the Muslim; I go through what they go through.
• Allah never obliterates evil with evil, but He erases evil with goodness.
• O Allah, you indeed know that I eat only my food, that I wear only my own clothing, and that I take only what is rightfully mine.
• The death of a thousand worshipers is easier to bear than the death of a scholar who has knowledge of what Allah has permitted and forbidden.
• Lo! By Allah, if I remain alive to help the widows from the people of Iraq, I will leave so much for them that they will never need to ask for help from any ruler who comes after me.
• Beware of bribery, and of ruling based on your desires.
• Do not be fooled by one who recites the Qur’an. His recitation is but speech, but look to those who act according to it.
• Once Sayyiduna Umar was in his garden, when coming back, he found that the people had performed the Asr Prayer. Thereby, he said, ‘We will surely return to Allah! I missed the Asr Prayer in congregation. May you witness that I gave my garden in charity to the needy so as to expiate what Umar had done.

• The most beloved of people to me is he that points out my flaws to me.
• Learn knowledge and teach it to the people. Learn how to have yourselves an aura of dignity and peace. Be humble to those that have taught you knowledge, and be humble to those that you have taught knowledge. And do not be haughty scholars; otherwise, your knowledge will not rise due to your ignorance.
• O Allah, if You have written me down as being someone who is miserable, then erase that for me; and instead write me down as being happy. For indeed, You erase whatever You wish, and You write down and uphold .
• The Islam of Sayyiduna Umar was a victory , his migration [to Madinah] was a triumph, and his caliphate was a mercy . I remember the time when we were not able to pray or perform tawaf around the Ka’bah. That was before Sayyiduna Umar embraced Islam. After he embraced Islam, we fought against them until they left us alone; and thus we began to be able to pray .
• Know that every habit comes by getting used to it. Get used to being patient and doing good. Be patient against whatever befalls you. It will make you fear Allah.
• Never think ill of the word that comes out of your believing brother’s mouth, as long as you can find a good excuse for it.
• Dedicate yourself to remembering Allah, for remembering Allah is a cure. And beware of remembering people, for the act of remembering people is a disease.
• By Allah! If I had gold equal to the earth, I would have ransomed myself with it from the punishment of Allah.
• Each day is proclaimed, ‘So and so has died!’ And with no doubt it will be said one day, ‘Umar died.’
• The one who laughs too much loses dignity; one who jokes too much loses respect; whoever does something a great deal, becomes known for it; one who speaks a great deal makes mistakes; one who makes many mistakes loses his sense of dignity. Whoever loses his sense of dignity loses his God-fearing and whoever loses his God-fearing is spiritually dead.
• Beware of filling your stomachs with food and drink, for it is harmful to the body and causes sickness and laziness in performing prayers. Be moderate in both food and drink, for that is healthier for your bodies and furthest removed from extravagance. Allah will hate the fat man (one who revels in a life of luxury), and a man will not be condemned until he favours his desires over his religion.
• During the year of the Ashes (drought and famine), Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s stomach would make rumbling sound. He forbade himself from eating Ghee, and so he would eat olive oil. And he would poke his stomach with his fingers and say, ‘Rumble as much as you want, for indeed, I will feed you nothing other than this until the situation of the people improves.
• Strive to listen to what comes out of the mouth of people who are obedient to Allah. Listen to what they have to say, for indeed, truth things are made manifest to them.
• On one particular Friday, Sayyiduna Umar did not come out to Friday prayer on time; and since he was to deliver the Friday sermon the people had to wait until he came out to them. When Sayyiduna Umar finally did come out to them, he came out to them, he apologized, explaining that, ‘I was prevented from coming out because this garment I am wearing was being washed; and I own no other outfit.’
• After Sayyiduna Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu became Khalifah of the Muslim Nation, he was once seen delivering a sermon while wearing a lower garden that was patched in 12 different places.
• Help me against myself by enjoining good, forbidding evil, and sincerely advising me.
• O Allah, I am indeed harsh, so make me gentle; I am weak, so make me strong; and I am miserly, so make me generous.

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Compiled by
Imam Ahmad Raza Academy