The world recognizes Abdullah
Bin Umar as the son of Ameerul Mu’minin, Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar (R.A.) and
brother in law of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). He is regarded for being the
prominent authority in Holy Hadith and law, and his impartiality towards groups
involved in the first Civil War in (656–661). Abdullah bin Umar is known to be
famous reporter of the Sayings of the holy Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) and early
jurist of Islam born in 614, which was the 4th year of Prophethood.
Abdullah Bin Umar – A Man of Character
At an early age, Abdullah Ibn Umar demonstrated an eagerness to be associated
with the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) in all his activities. He had accepted
Islam at a young age of ten years and had made the Hijrah with his father and
his sister, Hafsah.
Abdullah Bin Umar was not included in Battle of Uhud and Battle of Badr due to
young age. He and Usamah were included in the Battle of Ditch when he was 15
years old. He along with others of his age group was allowed to join the ranks
of men. They played the part in not only digging of trench but also actively in
the battle.
From the time of his Hijrah until the time of his death more than seventy years
later, Abdullah Ibn Umar distinguished himself in the service of Islam.
According to Abu Musa al-Ashari, he was regarded among Muslims as “the Good One,
son of the Good One”. From his great and illustrious father, Umar, and from
Prophet of Islam, he learnt a great deal. Abdullah used to observe and
scrutinize all the sayings and action of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) closely and
with devotion.
Aishah (May God be pleased with Her), noticed this devotion of Abdullah to the
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and remarked: “There was no one who followed the
footsteps of the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, in the places
where he alighted as did Ibn Umar.”
In spite of his close observance of the Prophet’s actions, Abdullah Bin Umar was
extremely cautious, even afraid, of reporting the sayings of the Prophet. He
would only relate a Holy Hadith if he was completely sure that he remembered
every word of it. One of his contemporaries said:
“Among the companions of the Prophet, no one was more cautious about adding
to or subtracting from the Hadith of the Prophet than Abdullah ibn Umar.”
Abdullah Bin Umar was once described as the “brother of the night.” He would
stay up at night performing Salaat, weeping and seeking God’s forgiveness and
reading Holy Quran. To his sister, Hafsah, the Prophet once said: “What a
blessed man is Abdullah. Should he perform Salaat at night he would be blessed
even more.”
From that day, Abdullah Bin Umar did not abandon aiyam alLayl whether at home or
on journeys. In the stillness of the nights, he would remember God much, perform
Salaat and read the Quran and weep. Like his father, tears came readily to his
eyes especially when he heard the warning verses of the Quran. Ubayd ibn Umayr
has related that one day he read these verses to Abdullah Ibn Umar:
“How then (will the sinners fare on Judgment Day) when We shall bring forward
witnesses from within every community and bring you (O Prophet) as witness
against them? Those who were bent on denying the truth and paid no heed to the
Apostle will on that Day wish that the earth would swallow them but they shall
not (be able to) conceal from God anything that has happened.“ (Surah an-Nisa,
4:41-42).
Legacy
Abdullah Ibn Umar was the second most productive narrator of Holy Hadith, with a
total of 2,630 narrations. He was very careful about things associated with him,
and he narrated with his eyes full of tears. He has a positive reputation among
Muslims.
In spite of the great esteem and honor in which he was held by all the Muslims
and despite the suggestion repeatedly made to him to stand up for the caliphate,
he kept himself entirely distant from party trouble, and throughout these years
led an selfless and pious life.
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