Humility of Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu)

Mufti A S Desai Afrikee hafizahullah

Bismillahi Ta’ala…

Amongst the outstanding characteristics of moral excellence of Salaf-e-Saliheen; Sahaba (Radhiallahu Anhum), Tabi’een, Tab’e Tabi’een, the Awliyaa (pious servants) and Fuqaha (jurists) of former times, was the characteristic of Tawadhu (humility). The closer they reached Allah Ta’ala, the humbler they became.

The closer a person gets to Allah Ta’ala, the more the greatness of Allah Ta’ala is inspired in his heart and he considers himself to be more contemptible than a mosquito. This was especially true of the Sahaba (Radhiallah Anhum) and it was because of this that Allah Ta’ala elevated them.

Nabi Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam said, ‘Whoever adopts humility for the sake of Allah Ta’ala will be elevated by Him.’ (Muslim)

Take Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) as an example; he would carry a whip with him whilst he was the Khalifa (leader of Muslims). During his era the Roman and Persian Empires, who were the superpowers of that time, were crushed and brought to their knees.

Yet, one day whilst stood on the mimbar (pulpit) about to deliver his lecture, a young man stood up and said, ‘O Ameerul Mumineen’! We will not listen to your talk as you owe us an explanation. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) asked, ‘What explanation do I owe you?’

The man replied, ‘A few days ago, from the Baitul Maal (treasury), each one of us received one shawl (blanket) which was from the spoils of war. Yet on your body I see two shawls which have been sewn together, (Hadhrat Umar Radhiallahu Anhu) was of a big stature). So what right do you have to misappropriate items from the Baitul Maal?’

Before Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) could speak, his son Abdullah Ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) explained, ‘Brother I also received a shawl. The (one) shawl that my father received was too small for him so I gave my shawl to him which is why you see two shawls on him.’

Upon hearing this explanation the young man replied, ‘O Ameerul Mumineen, I accept this explanation, you may proceed with the sermon’.

Observe Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu)’s reaction. He sternly asked, ‘If I had taken an extra shawl, what could you have done’?

This young man drew his sword in the Masjid and remarked, ‘with this I would have severed your head’.

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) asked, ‘Do you know with whom you are speaking?’

He replied, ‘Yes I am speaking with Umar; commander of the faithful’.

There was then a pin drop silence (in the Masjid). Everyone was wondering what would happen now. They knew (the temperament of) Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu). The Emperors of Rome and Persia would shiver upon hearing of the armies of Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu). Overcome with fear, everyone now awaited what would happen next.

When everyone looked up, they observed Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) with his hands raised, crying profusely. He was saying, ‘O Allah Ta’ala! I am very grateful that in this Ummah there are still such people who for the sake of Haqq will not hesitate to execute Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu)’.

This was the humility of Hadhrat Umar and of generally all Sahaaba (Radhiallahu Anhum) and Auliya of Allah Ta’ala. Their humility was of an outstanding calibre.

Humility is not merely shaking hands and exchanging niceties. True humility is shown at the time of anger. How will you react? Will you uphold the Haqq or not?

Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) was walking in the streets of Madeenah Munawwarah with his whip. He saw a man approaching him who looked suspicious and was holding an item which was wrapped up. This item was actually a bottle of wine. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) ordered him to stop. This man started to perspire as he knew what his fate would be. In his heart he made sincere Taubah (repentance) and dua that Allah Ta’ala save him from disgrace.

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) asked him what he was hiding. The man hastily replied, ‘It is milk’. The container was inspected and actually found to be milk. Allah Ta’ala accepted the Taubah of that person due to the sincere regret, fear and promise not to commit that sin again.

Taubah is not mere lip service. The soul of Taubah is regret at committing that sin and to promise Allah Ta’ala that the sin will not be repeated.

Allah Ta’ala (on this occasion) had miraculously transformed the liquor into milk to save the respect and honour of this person.

Allamah Sha’rani Rahmatullahi Alayhi says, ‘O my friend. You must reflect on (the reality of) Tawadhu (humility). (Do I have Tawadhu or am I like Shaytan? Do I become angry when someone corrects me?) If you see a ‘Sufi’, flee from them as they are the enemies of Allah Ta’ala.’

Nowadays, we see a lot of people claiming to be Sufis, especially these Bidati (innovators), Mushriks posing as Naqshbandis and creating their own Halqas (circles) of Zikr. These ‘Sufis’ are in reality ‘Shaytans’.

Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates, ‘Once Allah Ta’ala revealed to Nabi Musa (Alayhis Salam), ‘The worst of creation in my eyes is that person whose heart contains Takabbur (Pride), whose tongue is abusive and his hands are miserly. (He withholds the wealth that Allah Ta’ala has given him yet spends where he should not spend, such as Haraam wedding celebrations. In the name of ‘Waleema’, they deceive themselves. They arrange big parties, hire halls and spend hundreds of thousands of Rands. They spend thousands going on holiday under the deceit of ‘performing Umrah’. They are actually going on a holiday.

Allah Ta’ala grant us the understanding. Aameen