Praiseworthy Characteristics

Some esteemed personalities have written about Hazrat Umar (ra). Ash‘ath narrates, “I heard Imam Sha‘bi say, ‘When there is a difference of opinion amongst the people over a matter, check what Hazrat Umar (ra) decided about that matter, because Hazrat Umar (ra) never took a step without seeking counsel.’”

(Hulyatul Auliya, Vol. 4, pp. 304-305, Narration no. 5841, Maktabatul Iman, 2007)

Imam Sha‘bi says, “I heard Hazrat Qubaisah bin Jabir say, ‘I remained with Hazrat Umar (ra) bin al-Khattab. I have not seen a person who read the Book of Allah more than him, or who understood faith or one who taught and lectured better than him.’”

(Tarikh Dimashaq al-Kabir Li Ibn Asakir, Vol. 11, part. 21, p. 128, Dar-ul-Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 2001)

Hazrat Hasan Basrirh states, “When you wish to illuminate your gatherings, then remember [the life of] Hazrat Umar (ra) abundantly.”

(Sirat Umar bin al-Khattab, Ibn al-Jawzi, p. 217, Egypt, Al-Azhar)

Mujahid narrates, “We would say to one another that in the time of Hazrat Umar (ra), undoubtedly, Satans were bound in chains [as it were]. When he was martyred, Satans began roaming around the land freely.”

(Sirat Umar bin al-Khattab, Ibn al-Jawzi, p. 217, Egypt, Al-Azhar)