Knowledge of the Holy Qur'an
On one occasion Hazrat Umar (ra) met a caravan of people. But because of the darkness he was unable to see them. Among that group was Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud. Hazrat Umar (ra) sent someone to ask where the group had come from. When he enquired, Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud answered “Fajjul Ameeq”, i.e. from a distant track. He then asked “where are you heading to?’” He answered, “To the Baitul Ateeq (Ancient House)” i.e. to the Ka’bah. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked, “Is there any scholar among them?” and instructed someone to ask them which verse of the Holy Quran is the loftiest. Upon the enquiry of Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud, who was in that delegation answered, ‘Allah — there is no God but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep.’ (Al-Baqarah 256). He stated Ayatul Kursi. Hazrat Umar(ra) then asked, “Which is the most encapsulating verse of the Holy Quran?” Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud answered, ‘Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred;’ (Al-Nahl 91). Hazrat Umar (ra) then instructed the man to ask which is the most comprehensive verse of the Holy Quran? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud answered, ‘Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it, And whoso does an atom’s weight of evil will also see it.’ (Al-Zilzal 7-9). He then asked which is the verse of the Holy Quran which causes one to tremor the most? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud answered, ‘It shall not be according to your desires, nor according to the desires of the People of the Book. Whoso does evil shall be rewarded for it; and he shall find for himself no friend or helper beside Allah.’ (Al-Nisa 124). Hazrat Umar (ra) told him to ask which of the verses of the Holy Quran is the most promising? Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud replied, ‘Say, “O My servants who have committed excesses against their own souls! despair not of the mercy of Allah, surely Allah forgives all sins. Verily He is Most Forgiving, Merciful. (Al-Zumar 54)