Umar ibn Al Khattab's sermon to the people
According to Abdallaah bin Bakr bin Habeeb al-Sahmee: We were told by a man in the mosque of al-Junaabidh that `Umar bin `Abd al-`Azeez delivered a sermon to the people in Khunaasirah in which he said:
O people, you were not created in vain, nor will you be left to yourselves [See 75:36]. Rather, you will return to a place in which Allaah will descend in order to judge among you and distinguish between you. Destitute and lost are those who forsake the all- encompassing mercy of Allaah, and they will be excluded from Paradise, the borders of which are as wide as the heavens and the earth. Don't you know that protection, tomorrow, will be limited to those who feared Allaah [today], and to those who sold something ephemeral for something permanent, something small for something great, and fear for protection? Don't you realize that you are the descendants of those who have perished, that those who remain will take their place after you, and that this will continue until you are all returned to Allaah? Every day you dispatch to Allaah, at all times of the day, someone who has died, his term having come to an end. You bury him in a crack in the earth and then leave him without a pillow or a bed. He has parted from his loved ones, severed his connections with the living, and taken up residence in the earth, whereupon he comes face to face with the accounting. He is mortgaged to his deeds: He needs his accomplishments, but not the material things he left on earth.
Therefore, fear Allaah before death descends and its appointed times expire. I swear by Allaah that I say those words to you knowing that I myself have committed more sins than any of you; I therefore ask Allaah for forgiveness and I repent. Whenever we learn that one of you needs something, I try to satisfy his need to the extent that I am able. Whenever I can provide satisfaction to one of you out of my possessions, I seek to treat him as my equal and my relative, so that my life and his life are of equal value. I swear by Allaah that had I wanted something else, namely, affluence, then it would have been easy for me to utter the word, aware as I am of the means for obtaining this. But Allaah has issued in an eloquent Book and a just example (sunnah) by means of which He guides us to obedience and proscribes disobedience.
He lifted up the edge of his robe and began to cry and sob, causing the people around him to break into tears. Then he stepped down. That was the last sermon he gave before he died, may Allaah have mercy on him.
For variant versions of this sermon, see Ibn `Abd al-Hakam, Seerah 43-45, 132-33; Ibn Katheer, Bidaayah, IX, 199; This translation was taken from The History of al-Tabaree, Vol XXIV, by D.S.Powers/
In the same book, it is also related that,
According to `Abdallaah - his father - al-Fudayl - `Abdallaah: I was told that `Umar bin `Abd al-Azeez wrote to the Syrian army as follows: "As-salaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullaah. Now then, whoever contemplates death frequently speaks little, while he who knows that death is certain is satisfied with a little. Farewell."
* * *
According to Mansoor bin Muzaahim - Shu`ayb, that is, Ibn Safwaan - Ibn `Abd al-Hameed: `Umar ibn `Abd al-`Azeez said:
He who gives sincere advice to his brother in matters of religion and looks out for the well being of the latter's daily affairs has fulfilled his brotherly obligation and carried out the duty that was incumbent upon him. Fear Allaah. Accept these words, for they are offered as sincere advice to you with regard to your religion; and cling fast to them, for they constitute a warning that will save you in the afterlife. The sustenance has been apportioned; therefore, let no believer exceed what has been apportioned to him, and be united in seeking the good. In contentment there is abundance, substinence, and sufficiency. The term of this life is in your necks, and Jahannam lies before you. What you see will pass away, what has been is as if it never was, and all will soon be dead. You have seen the stages of the dying man, both when he is in the agony of death, and then after his demise when he has tasted death and the people all around him are saying, "He has passed away, May Allaah have mercy on his soul." You have witnessed the hasty manner in which he is removed, and the division of his estate, when his face is lost, his memory forgotten, and his doorway forsaken, as if he had not mixed with those who keep their word, nor inhabited the lands. Therefore, beware the horror of a day on which not so much as the weight of an ant on the scale will be despised.
According to `Abd al-Rahmaan bin Mahdee - Sufyaan: `Umar bin `Abd al-`Azeez said:
He who acts without knowledge causes more corruption than good, and he who does not consider his speech to be part of his actions sins repeatedly. Satisfaction is scarce, and the true believer should rely on patience. Allaah never bestowed a blessing upon one of His servants and then took it away from him, giving him patience in return for that which was taken away, except that the replacement was better than what was taken away from him." Then he recited the following verse: "Surely the patient will be paid their wages in full without reckoning." [39:10]
O people, you were not created in vain, nor will you be left to yourselves [See 75:36]. Rather, you will return to a place in which Allaah will descend in order to judge among you and distinguish between you. Destitute and lost are those who forsake the all- encompassing mercy of Allaah, and they will be excluded from Paradise, the borders of which are as wide as the heavens and the earth. Don't you know that protection, tomorrow, will be limited to those who feared Allaah [today], and to those who sold something ephemeral for something permanent, something small for something great, and fear for protection? Don't you realize that you are the descendants of those who have perished, that those who remain will take their place after you, and that this will continue until you are all returned to Allaah? Every day you dispatch to Allaah, at all times of the day, someone who has died, his term having come to an end. You bury him in a crack in the earth and then leave him without a pillow or a bed. He has parted from his loved ones, severed his connections with the living, and taken up residence in the earth, whereupon he comes face to face with the accounting. He is mortgaged to his deeds: He needs his accomplishments, but not the material things he left on earth.
Therefore, fear Allaah before death descends and its appointed times expire. I swear by Allaah that I say those words to you knowing that I myself have committed more sins than any of you; I therefore ask Allaah for forgiveness and I repent. Whenever we learn that one of you needs something, I try to satisfy his need to the extent that I am able. Whenever I can provide satisfaction to one of you out of my possessions, I seek to treat him as my equal and my relative, so that my life and his life are of equal value. I swear by Allaah that had I wanted something else, namely, affluence, then it would have been easy for me to utter the word, aware as I am of the means for obtaining this. But Allaah has issued in an eloquent Book and a just example (sunnah) by means of which He guides us to obedience and proscribes disobedience.
He lifted up the edge of his robe and began to cry and sob, causing the people around him to break into tears. Then he stepped down. That was the last sermon he gave before he died, may Allaah have mercy on him.
For variant versions of this sermon, see Ibn `Abd al-Hakam, Seerah 43-45, 132-33; Ibn Katheer, Bidaayah, IX, 199; This translation was taken from The History of al-Tabaree, Vol XXIV, by D.S.Powers/
In the same book, it is also related that,
According to `Abdallaah - his father - al-Fudayl - `Abdallaah: I was told that `Umar bin `Abd al-Azeez wrote to the Syrian army as follows: "As-salaamu `alaikum wa rahmatullaah. Now then, whoever contemplates death frequently speaks little, while he who knows that death is certain is satisfied with a little. Farewell."
* * *
According to Mansoor bin Muzaahim - Shu`ayb, that is, Ibn Safwaan - Ibn `Abd al-Hameed: `Umar ibn `Abd al-`Azeez said:
He who gives sincere advice to his brother in matters of religion and looks out for the well being of the latter's daily affairs has fulfilled his brotherly obligation and carried out the duty that was incumbent upon him. Fear Allaah. Accept these words, for they are offered as sincere advice to you with regard to your religion; and cling fast to them, for they constitute a warning that will save you in the afterlife. The sustenance has been apportioned; therefore, let no believer exceed what has been apportioned to him, and be united in seeking the good. In contentment there is abundance, substinence, and sufficiency. The term of this life is in your necks, and Jahannam lies before you. What you see will pass away, what has been is as if it never was, and all will soon be dead. You have seen the stages of the dying man, both when he is in the agony of death, and then after his demise when he has tasted death and the people all around him are saying, "He has passed away, May Allaah have mercy on his soul." You have witnessed the hasty manner in which he is removed, and the division of his estate, when his face is lost, his memory forgotten, and his doorway forsaken, as if he had not mixed with those who keep their word, nor inhabited the lands. Therefore, beware the horror of a day on which not so much as the weight of an ant on the scale will be despised.
According to `Abd al-Rahmaan bin Mahdee - Sufyaan: `Umar bin `Abd al-`Azeez said:
He who acts without knowledge causes more corruption than good, and he who does not consider his speech to be part of his actions sins repeatedly. Satisfaction is scarce, and the true believer should rely on patience. Allaah never bestowed a blessing upon one of His servants and then took it away from him, giving him patience in return for that which was taken away, except that the replacement was better than what was taken away from him." Then he recited the following verse: "Surely the patient will be paid their wages in full without reckoning." [39:10]
Ali bin Abi Talib
‘Ali's [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"]
Abu Salih has given a graphic description of Caliph ‘Ali's character. He says that once, Caliph Mu’awiyah asked Dirar ibn Damurah, a companion of Caliph 'Ali ibn abi Talib, to narrate something about the latter. Dirar first asked to be excused but when Caliph Mu'awiyah insisted on it, he said:
“All right, then listen to me. He (‘Ali) was farsighted and strong and possessed a robust health. He always spoke what was true and dispensed impartial justice. He was like a fountain of knowledge or a repository of wisdom. Being always scared of the world and its pleasures, the night and its darkness were pleasing to him. By God, his eyes were more often brimming with tears and he always appeared to be care-worn. He liked to wear garments made of rough cloth and to partake in coarse food, lived like a commoner, and made no distinction between himself and others. Whenever we asked him anything, he would answer; whenever we went to him, he would salute first; and whenever we invited him, he would come ungrudging but, despite his nearness, his awe never permitted us to talk in his presence or join in his conversation. He respected the pious and loved the poor; the powerful could never hope to achieve any undeserved gain from him; nor did the weak ever give up hope obtaining justice from him. By God, I have seen him often after the night-fall standing on his prayer-mat, holding his beard and weeping as if he were bitten by a snake. Often in the dead of night, he could be heard asking the world to leave him alone and give up all hopes of enticing him away to its pleasures. I could still visualise him saying thus: ‘O World, thy pleasures are transitory, thy life short, thy allurements unreliable and dangerous while I have to cover an arduous, long, and extremely perilous path’.” (Ibn al-Jawzi: Safwah al-Safwah, Hyderabad, 1935 vol.I, p.122.)
(Faith versus Materialism The Message of Surat al-Khaf Sayed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi p.83, 84)
‘Ali (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") is reported to have said: "O people establish close relations with your tongue and body, and keep a distance from your hearts and actions. Man will, on the Day of Judgement, get according to what he has done, and he will accompany those that he had loved. Make a supreme effort in making your actions acceptable, for no action finds acceptance without piety and sincerity. O scholar of the Qur'an, be one who acts on the Qur'an. A scholar is one who acts upon what he has read and brings about a closeness between his knowledge and his acts. A time will come when there will be great disparity between acts and knowledge. They will sit in a circle to praise one another and ask one coming to join them to sit away from them. Bear in minds deeds have no place in assemblies but they are related to Allah the Almighty."
"Beauty of manners is the essence of man, wisdom is his helper and etiquette his legacy. Barbarism is worse than arrogance."
(The History of Islam vol.1 By Akbar Shah Najeebabadi p.431)
‘Ali's (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") Advice
1. One who knows himself, knows his Creator.
2. If you love Allah, tear out your heart's love of the world.
3. The fear of Allah makes one secure.
4. How can you rejoice about this life that grows shorter each hour.
5. A world-wide reputation can be undone by an hour's degradation.
6. Three defects make life miserable:
i. Vindictiveness;
ii. Jealousy;
iii. A bad character.
7. One who is proud of worldly possessions in this fleeting existence is ignorant.
8. Joy is followed by tears.
9. Each breath of a man is a step nearer to death.
10. The best man is he who is most helpful to his fellow men.
11. One who thinks himself the best is the worst.
12. The hated person is one who returns evil for good.
13. Virtue is the key to success.
14. Learned men live even after death; ignorant men are dead although alive.
15. There is no treasure like knowledge gained.
16. Knowledge is wisdom and the educated man is the wise man.
17. Experience is knowledge gained.
18. He who never corrects himself will never correct another.
19. Listen, and you will teach yourself: remain silent, and you risk nothing.
20. One who reflects on Allah's gifts, succeeds.
21. Ignorance harms a man more than a cancer in the body.
22. One of the signs of a stupid man is the frequent change of opinion.
23. Never speak when it is not the time for speech.
24. Beware of backbiting: it sows the seeds of bitterness, and separates you from Allah and man.
25. The best truth is the keeping of promises.
26. Better be dumb than lie.
27. Do not flatter, it is no sign of faith.
28. A hypocrite's tongue is clean, but there is sickness in his heart.
29. Better to be alone than with bad company.
30. Whoever sows good reaps his reward.
Abu Salih has given a graphic description of Caliph ‘Ali's character. He says that once, Caliph Mu’awiyah asked Dirar ibn Damurah, a companion of Caliph 'Ali ibn abi Talib, to narrate something about the latter. Dirar first asked to be excused but when Caliph Mu'awiyah insisted on it, he said:
“All right, then listen to me. He (‘Ali) was farsighted and strong and possessed a robust health. He always spoke what was true and dispensed impartial justice. He was like a fountain of knowledge or a repository of wisdom. Being always scared of the world and its pleasures, the night and its darkness were pleasing to him. By God, his eyes were more often brimming with tears and he always appeared to be care-worn. He liked to wear garments made of rough cloth and to partake in coarse food, lived like a commoner, and made no distinction between himself and others. Whenever we asked him anything, he would answer; whenever we went to him, he would salute first; and whenever we invited him, he would come ungrudging but, despite his nearness, his awe never permitted us to talk in his presence or join in his conversation. He respected the pious and loved the poor; the powerful could never hope to achieve any undeserved gain from him; nor did the weak ever give up hope obtaining justice from him. By God, I have seen him often after the night-fall standing on his prayer-mat, holding his beard and weeping as if he were bitten by a snake. Often in the dead of night, he could be heard asking the world to leave him alone and give up all hopes of enticing him away to its pleasures. I could still visualise him saying thus: ‘O World, thy pleasures are transitory, thy life short, thy allurements unreliable and dangerous while I have to cover an arduous, long, and extremely perilous path’.” (Ibn al-Jawzi: Safwah al-Safwah, Hyderabad, 1935 vol.I, p.122.)
(Faith versus Materialism The Message of Surat al-Khaf Sayed Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi p.83, 84)
‘Ali (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") is reported to have said: "O people establish close relations with your tongue and body, and keep a distance from your hearts and actions. Man will, on the Day of Judgement, get according to what he has done, and he will accompany those that he had loved. Make a supreme effort in making your actions acceptable, for no action finds acceptance without piety and sincerity. O scholar of the Qur'an, be one who acts on the Qur'an. A scholar is one who acts upon what he has read and brings about a closeness between his knowledge and his acts. A time will come when there will be great disparity between acts and knowledge. They will sit in a circle to praise one another and ask one coming to join them to sit away from them. Bear in minds deeds have no place in assemblies but they are related to Allah the Almighty."
"Beauty of manners is the essence of man, wisdom is his helper and etiquette his legacy. Barbarism is worse than arrogance."
(The History of Islam vol.1 By Akbar Shah Najeebabadi p.431)
‘Ali's (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") Advice
1. One who knows himself, knows his Creator.
2. If you love Allah, tear out your heart's love of the world.
3. The fear of Allah makes one secure.
4. How can you rejoice about this life that grows shorter each hour.
5. A world-wide reputation can be undone by an hour's degradation.
6. Three defects make life miserable:
i. Vindictiveness;
ii. Jealousy;
iii. A bad character.
7. One who is proud of worldly possessions in this fleeting existence is ignorant.
8. Joy is followed by tears.
9. Each breath of a man is a step nearer to death.
10. The best man is he who is most helpful to his fellow men.
11. One who thinks himself the best is the worst.
12. The hated person is one who returns evil for good.
13. Virtue is the key to success.
14. Learned men live even after death; ignorant men are dead although alive.
15. There is no treasure like knowledge gained.
16. Knowledge is wisdom and the educated man is the wise man.
17. Experience is knowledge gained.
18. He who never corrects himself will never correct another.
19. Listen, and you will teach yourself: remain silent, and you risk nothing.
20. One who reflects on Allah's gifts, succeeds.
21. Ignorance harms a man more than a cancer in the body.
22. One of the signs of a stupid man is the frequent change of opinion.
23. Never speak when it is not the time for speech.
24. Beware of backbiting: it sows the seeds of bitterness, and separates you from Allah and man.
25. The best truth is the keeping of promises.
26. Better be dumb than lie.
27. Do not flatter, it is no sign of faith.
28. A hypocrite's tongue is clean, but there is sickness in his heart.
29. Better to be alone than with bad company.
30. Whoever sows good reaps his reward.
Uthmaan ibn Affan
Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn
History has recorded for us some of the things that 'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said about the Holy Qur'an. He said:
"If our hearts were pure, we would never have our fill of the words of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted."
"I would not like a day to come when I do not look in the Covenant of Allah (i.e., the Mus-haf)."
"Three worldly things have been made dear to me: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and reading the Qur'an."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.28 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "There are four things which are outwardly virtues, but in reality are obligation: mixing with righteous people is a virtue, and following their example is a duty; reading Qur'an is a virtue and acting upon it is a duty; visiting the graves is a virtue and preparing for death is a duty; and visiting the sick person is a virtue and asking him to make a will is a duty."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.29 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "Ten things are the greatest waste of time: a scholar whom no one asks about; knowledge that is not acted upon; sound advice that is not accepted; a weapon that is not used; a Masjid that is not prayed in; a Mus-haf that is not read from; wealth from which nothing is spent (in charity); a horse that is not ridden; knowledge of asceticism in the heart of one who is seeking worldly gain; and a long life in which no preparation is made for the journey (into the Hereafter)."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.29 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said:
"If our hearts were truly pure, we would never have our fill of the words of your Lord"
"No one conceals something in his heart, but Allah causes it to be seen on his face or in a slip of the tongue."
"Things may be achieved by means of authority that cannot be achieved by means of the Qur'an."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] did not attach much importance to this world, of which he said: Concern with this world is darkness in the heart, but concern with the Hereafter is light in the heart.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said:
"It is sufficient for you that the one who envies you is distressed at the time of your joy."
"During the days of turmoil he Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him" said: I ask Allah for forgiveness if I have done wrong, and I have already forgiven if I have been wronged by others.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: Everything has something to undermine it, and every blessing has something to diminish it. The thing that undermines this religion and diminishes this blessing is those who criticise a great deal and those who stab in the back; they show you what you want to see and they conceal that which you dislike. They are wicked like ostriches.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: No one does a good deed but Allah will make it show on him.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: The believer has five types of fear. The first is that Allah may take his faith away from him; the second is that the recording angels may write down something that may expose him on the Day of Resurrection; the third is that the Shaytan may cause his deeds to become invalid; the fourth is that the Angel of Death may come to him without warning; and the fifth is that the world may tempt him and distract him from the Hereafter.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: I have found the sweetness of worship in four things. The first is in performing the obligatory acts of worship enjoined by Allah; the second is in avoiding the things forbidden by Allah; the third is enjoining that which is good, seeking the reward of Allah; and the fourth is forbidding that which is evil, fearing the wrath of Allah.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134, 135 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Shaykh 'Abd ar-Rahman al-Sa'di said: Jihad is of two types; the first type is jihad that is aimed at setting the affairs of the Muslims with regard to their beliefs, attitudes and etiquette, and all their religious and worldly affairs, and educating them; this type is the essence of true jihad and the basis for the second type, which is jihad that is aimed at warding off aggressors who seek to attack Islam and the Muslims, whether they are kuffaar, hypocrites, heretics or any other enemies of the faith. These two types - jihad of proof and argument, and jihad with weapons, are appropriate at all times and in all places.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.340 - 341 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman said: The people have spread all over and become inclined towards evil, with three types of motives for that: love of this world, whims and desires, or hatred and grudges.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.476 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
History has recorded for us some of the things that 'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said about the Holy Qur'an. He said:
"If our hearts were pure, we would never have our fill of the words of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted."
"I would not like a day to come when I do not look in the Covenant of Allah (i.e., the Mus-haf)."
"Three worldly things have been made dear to me: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and reading the Qur'an."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.28 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "There are four things which are outwardly virtues, but in reality are obligation: mixing with righteous people is a virtue, and following their example is a duty; reading Qur'an is a virtue and acting upon it is a duty; visiting the graves is a virtue and preparing for death is a duty; and visiting the sick person is a virtue and asking him to make a will is a duty."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.29 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "Ten things are the greatest waste of time: a scholar whom no one asks about; knowledge that is not acted upon; sound advice that is not accepted; a weapon that is not used; a Masjid that is not prayed in; a Mus-haf that is not read from; wealth from which nothing is spent (in charity); a horse that is not ridden; knowledge of asceticism in the heart of one who is seeking worldly gain; and a long life in which no preparation is made for the journey (into the Hereafter)."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.29 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said:
"If our hearts were truly pure, we would never have our fill of the words of your Lord"
"No one conceals something in his heart, but Allah causes it to be seen on his face or in a slip of the tongue."
"Things may be achieved by means of authority that cannot be achieved by means of the Qur'an."
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] did not attach much importance to this world, of which he said: Concern with this world is darkness in the heart, but concern with the Hereafter is light in the heart.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said:
"It is sufficient for you that the one who envies you is distressed at the time of your joy."
"During the days of turmoil he Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him" said: I ask Allah for forgiveness if I have done wrong, and I have already forgiven if I have been wronged by others.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.133 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: Everything has something to undermine it, and every blessing has something to diminish it. The thing that undermines this religion and diminishes this blessing is those who criticise a great deal and those who stab in the back; they show you what you want to see and they conceal that which you dislike. They are wicked like ostriches.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: No one does a good deed but Allah will make it show on him.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: The believer has five types of fear. The first is that Allah may take his faith away from him; the second is that the recording angels may write down something that may expose him on the Day of Resurrection; the third is that the Shaytan may cause his deeds to become invalid; the fourth is that the Angel of Death may come to him without warning; and the fifth is that the world may tempt him and distract him from the Hereafter.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: I have found the sweetness of worship in four things. The first is in performing the obligatory acts of worship enjoined by Allah; the second is in avoiding the things forbidden by Allah; the third is enjoining that which is good, seeking the reward of Allah; and the fourth is forbidding that which is evil, fearing the wrath of Allah.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.134, 135 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Shaykh 'Abd ar-Rahman al-Sa'di said: Jihad is of two types; the first type is jihad that is aimed at setting the affairs of the Muslims with regard to their beliefs, attitudes and etiquette, and all their religious and worldly affairs, and educating them; this type is the essence of true jihad and the basis for the second type, which is jihad that is aimed at warding off aggressors who seek to attack Islam and the Muslims, whether they are kuffaar, hypocrites, heretics or any other enemies of the faith. These two types - jihad of proof and argument, and jihad with weapons, are appropriate at all times and in all places.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.340 - 341 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Uthman said: The people have spread all over and become inclined towards evil, with three types of motives for that: love of this world, whims and desires, or hatred and grudges.
('Uthman Ibn 'Affan [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] Dhun-Noorayn p.476 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Umar ibn Al Khattab
'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"]
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") spoke the famous words: "The bonds of Islam will be undone one by one when there will be a generation brought up in Islam who do not know what Jahiliyah is."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.49 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The difference between a king and a caliph:
'Umar said: "By Allah, I do not know if I am a caliph or a king. If I am a king this is a serious matter." Someone said to him: "There is a difference between them. A caliph does not take anything except rightfully, and he does not give anything except rightfully, and you - praise be to Allah - are like that. A king oppresses the people taking from one giving to another." And 'Umar fell silent.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.181 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar asked Salman al-Farisi: "Am I a king or a caliph?" Salman said: "If you collect from the land a dirham, or less or more, and put it where it does not belong, then you are a king and not a caliph." And 'Umar wept.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.181 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that 'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said:
"There is nothing good in a decision taken without consultation."
"An individual opinion is like a single thread, two opinions are like interwoven threads, and three can never be broken."
"Consult regarding your affairs those who fear Allah."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.182 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"Men are of three types: a man who deals with problems according to his opinion; a man who consults others with regard to matters he is confused about and follows the opinion of those who have wisdom; and a man who is confused and helpless, as he does not consult others and cannot take decisions."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.183 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"It is the duty of the Muslims to run their affairs by consultation between them and people of wisdom, as the people should follow those who are in charge of their affairs. So long as they are united then their opinion becomes binding on the people and the people should follow them. Whoever becomes in charge of the Muslims' affairs should follow the opinion of the people of wisdom and whatever they suggest is in the best interests of the Muslims, and whatever plans they draw up in the case of war, the people should follow their opinion."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.183 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] used to say: "I have not appointed my governors over you to whip you, slander your honour and seize your wealth, rather I have appointed them to teach you the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your Prophet. Whoever is wronged by his governor, let him refer the matter to me so that I may settle it."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.210 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "There can be no certainty that a man will not confess (to a crime) if he is starved, frightened and detained."
These words of 'Umar indicate that it is not permissible to obtain a confession from a suspect under pressure or by means of threats, whether the means used are physical, such as depriving him of his stipend or confiscating his wealth, or psychological, such as resorting to treats and scaring him with all kinds of punishment.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.210 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that Abu al-Ashhab said: " 'Umar passed by a garbage dump and stopped there, and it was as if his companions were bothered by it (the smell). He said, 'This is this world of yours which you are so eager for and you weep over.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.236 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
{The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load.} (Qur’an 22:2)"
'Umar said: "I thought about the matter, and I realised that if I wanted this world, that would damage my prospects in the Hereafter, and if I wanted the Hereafter, that would damage my prospects in this world, and if this is the case, I would rather my prospects be damaged in this transient world."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.236,237 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: "The people will be honest with their ruler so long as the ruler is honest with Allah, and if the ruler is dishonest, the people will be dishonest."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.246 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"Do not be deceived by a man's eloquence; rather whoever fulfils trusts and refrains from impugning people's honour is a real man."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Do not look at a man's prayer or fasting; rather look at his reason and honesty."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "There are two (types of) men I do not fear for you a believer whose faith is obvious and a kafir whose kufr is obvious. Rather I fear for you the hypocrite who hides behind a show of faith but strives for some other purpose."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar described sincere companions as follows: "You should look for sincere companions, for you will be happy with them; they will be a source of pleasure at times of ease and a support at times of calamity. Think positively of your brother until he does something that justifies your keeping away from him, and keep away from your enemy, and beware of your friend except those who are trustworthy, and there is no one who is trustworthy except one who fears Allah. Do not keep company with an evildoer lest you be influenced by his evil, and do not tell him your secrets. Consult those who fear Allah about your affairs."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.277 - 278 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Were it not that I like to walk for the sake of Allah, and sleep on the ground for the sake of Allah, or sit with people who choose the best words as one chooses the best fruit (i.e. they speak eloquently), I would like to have met Allah (i.e., died)."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.278 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Ibn 'Abbas narrated that 'Umar said to some of Quraysh: "I have heard that you have gatherings. No two people should have a private gathering so that it is said that this person is the companion of So and so. So private gatherings should be avoided. By Allah this is harmful to your religious commitment, harmful to your honour and harmful to your unity between you. I can see that those who come after you will say, 'This is the opinion of So and so,' thus dividing Islam into factions. Make your gatherings open to everyone and sit together, for this will cause the love between you to last and will make you more respected among the people."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.291 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said to one who fidgeted during the prayer: "If one's heart was properly focused, his limbs would be too."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.301 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "If a man comes out of his house carrying a burden of sins like mountains of Tihamah, then when he hears some knowledge he fears Allah and repents, he will go back home with no sins on him. So do not forsake the gatherings of the scholars."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.332 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "No man is a scholar until he does not envy those who are above him and does not despise those who are beneath him, and does not take any payment for his work."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Acquire knowledge before you become leaders and pride prevents you from learning and you live in ignorance."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Even if knowledge does not benefit you, it will not harm you."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "The death of a thousand worshippers is easier to bear than the death of a scholar who has knowledge of what Allah has permitted and forbidden."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Be vessels of the Qur'an (i.e., learn it by heart) and founts of knowledge, and ask Allah for provision day by day, and it will not harm you if He does not give you a lot."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Seek knowledge and teach it to people. Learn dignity and tranquillity, and be humble towards those from whom you learn knowledge and be humble towards those to whom you teach it, and do not be tyrannical scholar otherwise your knowledge cannot be established because of your tyranny."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar warned against the mistake of scholars and said: "Islam will be destroyed by the mistakes of scholars, the arguments of the hypocrites who misinterpret the Qur'an to support their views and misleading rulers."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The words "Remember that some stinginess is a brand of hypocrisy" clearly refer to those who fall short in spending for the sake of Allah. They see some states and groups of their ummah being attacked by the kuffar, their honour being violated and the resources of their lands being plundered, but when those who are being attacked rise to fight in jihad, they only find a few Muslims who are willing to help them with their wealth. Those believes who are afflicted with the disease of miserliness are behaving somewhat like the hypocrites, which is a sign of weakness of faith.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.336, 337 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "Whoever conceals his secrets will have the choice (of telling whomever he wants to tell), but whoever speaks or acts in a suspicious manner should not blame anyone who thinks badly of him. Do not think badly of a word spoken by your brother when you can still find good ways to interpret it. Think positively of your brother until you are certain that he is not like that. Do not swear a great deal lest Allah humiliate you. There is no better reward for one who disobey Allah concerning you than your obeying Allah concerning him. You should seek sincere friends and maintain good relations with them, for they are a pleasure at times of ease and a support at times of calamity."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.337, 338 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Sayings of 'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him]:
"When did you enslave people whose mothers bore them free?"
"No one is suited to this position except the one who is gentle without being weak and strong without being harsh."
"I want a man for the position of governorship who, when he is the leader of people he would be thought as one of them, and when he is one of them he would be thought of as their leader."
Concerning governor's: "I complain to Allah of the wrongdoing of one who is strong and the incapability of one who is pious."
"Whoever does not recognise evil is more likely to fall into it."
"I am not a crafty person but I cannot be deceived by a crafty person."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.340 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "When Allah commands people to do a thing, He helps them to do it, and when He forbids them to do a thing, He renders them independent of it."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.340 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Adh-Dhahabi said: "Abu ad-Darda' was the scholar of the people of Syria, and the teacher, faqeeh and judge of the people of Damascus. He was one of the few most prominent Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) in knowledge of the Qur'an. He encouraged the people of Syria to seek knowledge, saying, 'Why do I see your scholars dying and the ignorant among you not learning? Learn before knowledge is taken away, for the taking away of knowledge is the death of the scholars. And he encouraged the pursuit of knowledge by saying, 'Be a scholar or a learner, or a lover (of knowledge) or a follower. Do not be the fifth and be doomed.' "
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "And the fifth is the innovator."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.362,0363 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Abu ad-Darda said: "Seek knowledge; if you cannot, then love its people; and if you do not love them, then do not hate them. Learn and teach, for the scholar and the learner are equal in reward. But you will never be a scholar until you are a learner, and you will never be a learner until you act on what you know. And he used to say: "You will not understand fiqh fully until you see the different interpretations of the verses of the Qur'an."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.363 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Mu'adh ibn Jabal encouraged the people to seek knowledge, and he said: "Seek knowledge, for learning for the sake of Allah is piety, seeking it is worship, discussing it is tasbeeh, pursuing it is jihad, and teaching it to one who does not know it is charity. Knowledge shows us what is halal and what is haram, and is the beacon of the people of Paradise. It brings comfort when one is lonely and shows the correct way to behave at times of ease and times of hardship. It is a weapon against one's enemies. Allah raises people (in status) because of it and makes them among the elite, leaders whose example is followed and whose opinion is adopted."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.366 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Mu'adh ibn Jabal said: "Knowledge and faith will abide until the Day of Resurrection. Whoever seeks them will find them in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Check everything you hear against the Qur'an, but do not check the Qur'an against anything that you hear." For Mu'adh, the Qur'an was the standard against which everything else was to be measured, but it was not to be measured against anything else. This was Mu'adh's method in teaching the Qur'an, which he adhered to until the last moment of his life. As he was dying, each time he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he would say: "My Lord, let me die the way You want, for by Your Glory, You know that my heart loves You."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.366, 367 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Ubadah ibn as-Samit said: "This world is transient but present, and the Hereafter is a true promise. This world has its children and the Hereafter has its children, so be children of the Hereafter and do not be children of this world, for every mother is followed by her children."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.367 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] sayings:
"Learn Arabic, for it makes a person more logical and wise, and increases his chivalry."
"Learn grammar as you learn the Sunnahs and shares of inheritance."
"Learn I'rab al-Qur'an (syntax) as you learn to memorise it."
"The worst of writing is that which is elongated without being clear, and the worst of reading is to say things unclearly, and the best of writing is that which is clearest."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.371, 372 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Jizyah is a tax which is imposed on the individual from among the People of the Book who come under the protection of the Muslims. It has also been suggested that it is a poll tax levied on the kuffar as a form of humiliation or to make them feel subdued because Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala - "The Exalted") says;
Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad], and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth [i.e. Islam] among the people of the Scripture [Jews and Christians], until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. (Qur'an 9:26)
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.443 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Conditions of the jizyah contract and when it was to be paid.
From the era of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, the fuqaha' (the Islamic Jurists) derived a number of such conditions:
* They should not refer to the Book of Allah with any criticism or distortion
* They should not mention the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in terms of rejection or disbelief
* They should not mention the religion of Islam with any criticism or insult
* They should not have relations with any Muslim woman by way of zina or in the name of marriage
* They should not tempt a Muslim away from his religion or harm him financially or cause him annoyance because of his religion
* They should not help those who are at war against the Muslims
With regards to the time when it should be paid, the caliph 'Umar stipulated that jizyah should be paid at the end of the year, meaning the end of the agricultural year.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.452 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Kharaj has two meanings. In the general sense it refers to any income that comes to the bayt al-mal (Public treasury) of the Muslims from sources other than zakah. So it comes under the general heading of fay' (Spoils obtained without fighting as against war-booty) and includes the income from jizyah, (Tax paid by the unbeliever living in the Islamic state under its protection) 'ushoor (tithes) etc. And it has a specific meaning, which is the income from the lands that the Muslims had conquered by force, which the ruler had then left to earn an income for the Muslims in perpetuity, as 'Umar did with the land of as-Sawad in Iraq and Syria. Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: "Kharaj is not based on the value of the land or the income from the rent, rather it is not based on the land itself."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.453 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "The happiest of people is the one under whose care people are happy because of him, and the most miserable of people is the one under whose care people are miserable because of him. Beware of indulging in worldly pleasures or allowing your agents to do so, lest you become like an animal that sees some vegetation and starts grazing it, aiming to get fat, buts its death is in its fat.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.40 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar addressed his governors and said: "Know that no forbearance is more beloved to Allah and more far-reaching than the forbearance and kindness of a leader and nothing is more hatred by Allah and more far-reaching than the ignorance and foolishness of a leader."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.49 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar advice he gave to al-Ahnaf was the following, 'O' Ahnaf, 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 fear of Allah, and whoever loses his fear of Allah is spiritually dead.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.53 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
When news of the conquest of Syria came to 'Umar, he said to Abu Moosa: "Call your scribe to read this to the people in the mosque." Abu Moosa said, "He cannot enter the mosque." 'Umar asked, "Why not? Is he junub? (In a state of ritual impurity)" He said, "No, rather he is a Christian." 'Umar rebuked him and said, "Do not bring them near when Allah has cast them away; do not honour them when Allah has humiliated them; do not trust them when Allah has stated that they are treacherous. I have forbidden you to employ people of the Book, for they accept bribes."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that Usiqq said: "I was a Christian slave of 'Umar's, and he said, 'Become Muslim so that we may appoint you over some of the Muslims' affairs, because we cannot appoint over their affairs one who is not one of them.' He set me free as he was dying and said, 'Go wherever you want.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Among the most important characteristic of 'Umar's governors were: strength of faith, Islamic knowledge, trust in Allah, exemplary conduct, sincerity, being qualified for the post, courage, chivalry, ascenticism, love of sacrifice, humility, acceptance of advice, forbearance, patience, ambition, resolve, strong willpower, justice, the ability to solve problems, and other such characteristic.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55,56 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] would write to his governors: "The most important of your affairs in my view is prayer; whoever prays regularly has protected his faith, but whoever neglects it is bound to be more negligent in other issues of faith."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.67 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Do not put off today's work until tomorrow, lest work accumulate and you achieve nothing."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.79 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Durayd ibn Ka'b an-Nakha'i said to his people: "The Muslims are preparing for the fight, so be among the first of the Muslims to fight for Allah and in jihad tonight, for no one will be among the first tonight but his reward will be in accordance with how soon he joined the fight. Compete with them for martyrdom and be content with death, for this is the best way to avoid death if you want to live and if you do not, then the Hereafter is what you are seeking."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.195 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Al-Ash'ath ibn Qays said: "O' Arabs, these people (the Persians) should not be more daring in facing death and less concerned about worldly gains than you. Compete for wives and children and do not fear death, for this is the wish of the noble people and the means of martyrdom."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.195 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Salman said to him: "Islam is new and by Allah the rivers and seas have been subjugated to them as the land is subjugated. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Salman, people will leave (Islam) in crowds just as they entered it in crowds."
What Salman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] meant by saying, "Islam is new" is that it was still alive and its followers were strong in faith and proud of it. Islam was the focal point of their lives for which they lived and died; they called people to it and they defended it. But later on there would come generations, who would inherit this religion and would not be Muslims by choice, and it would not be the focal point of their concerns and feelings, rather all their concern would be focused on worldly achievements and enjoying the pleasures of this world; Islam would become a secondary concern in their lives. At that point they would go out of Islam in crowds just as they entered it in crowds.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.219, 220 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Heraclius asked of his followers, who had been held captive by the Muslims, "Tell me about these people." He said, "I shall tell you so that it is as if you can see them. These are knights by day and monks by night. They do not take anything unlawfully, they do not enter a place except by giving the greeting of Salam, and they destroy utterly anyone who fights them." Heraclius said, "If what you are telling me is true, then will take control of the land that is beneath my feet."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.301 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
On of the most famous sayings of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] concerning favouritism is: "Whoever appoints a man because of favouritism or blood ties, and does not appoint him for any other reason, has betrayed Allah and His Messenger, and whoever appoints an evildoer knowing that he is an evildoer, is just like him."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.350 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") Advice
1. Do not be misled by someone's reputation.
2. Do not judge a person only by his performance of Salah and Sawn; rather look into his truthfulness and wisdom.
3. One who keeps his secrets controls his affairs.
4. Fear the person whom you hate.
5. Prudent is he who can assess his actions.
6. Do not defer your work for tomorrow.
7. He who has no idea of evil can easily fall into its trap.
8. Judge a man's intelligence by the questions he asks.
9. Less concern for material well-being enables one to lead a free life.
10. It is easier not to indulge in sins than to repent.
11. Contentment and gratitude are two great virtues; you should not care which one you are getting.
12. Be grateful to him who points out your defects.
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") spoke the famous words: "The bonds of Islam will be undone one by one when there will be a generation brought up in Islam who do not know what Jahiliyah is."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.49 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The difference between a king and a caliph:
'Umar said: "By Allah, I do not know if I am a caliph or a king. If I am a king this is a serious matter." Someone said to him: "There is a difference between them. A caliph does not take anything except rightfully, and he does not give anything except rightfully, and you - praise be to Allah - are like that. A king oppresses the people taking from one giving to another." And 'Umar fell silent.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.181 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar asked Salman al-Farisi: "Am I a king or a caliph?" Salman said: "If you collect from the land a dirham, or less or more, and put it where it does not belong, then you are a king and not a caliph." And 'Umar wept.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.181 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that 'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said:
"There is nothing good in a decision taken without consultation."
"An individual opinion is like a single thread, two opinions are like interwoven threads, and three can never be broken."
"Consult regarding your affairs those who fear Allah."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.182 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"Men are of three types: a man who deals with problems according to his opinion; a man who consults others with regard to matters he is confused about and follows the opinion of those who have wisdom; and a man who is confused and helpless, as he does not consult others and cannot take decisions."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.183 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"It is the duty of the Muslims to run their affairs by consultation between them and people of wisdom, as the people should follow those who are in charge of their affairs. So long as they are united then their opinion becomes binding on the people and the people should follow them. Whoever becomes in charge of the Muslims' affairs should follow the opinion of the people of wisdom and whatever they suggest is in the best interests of the Muslims, and whatever plans they draw up in the case of war, the people should follow their opinion."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.183 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] used to say: "I have not appointed my governors over you to whip you, slander your honour and seize your wealth, rather I have appointed them to teach you the Book of your Lord and the Sunnah of your Prophet. Whoever is wronged by his governor, let him refer the matter to me so that I may settle it."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.210 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "There can be no certainty that a man will not confess (to a crime) if he is starved, frightened and detained."
These words of 'Umar indicate that it is not permissible to obtain a confession from a suspect under pressure or by means of threats, whether the means used are physical, such as depriving him of his stipend or confiscating his wealth, or psychological, such as resorting to treats and scaring him with all kinds of punishment.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.210 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that Abu al-Ashhab said: " 'Umar passed by a garbage dump and stopped there, and it was as if his companions were bothered by it (the smell). He said, 'This is this world of yours which you are so eager for and you weep over.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.236 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
{The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load.} (Qur’an 22:2)"
'Umar said: "I thought about the matter, and I realised that if I wanted this world, that would damage my prospects in the Hereafter, and if I wanted the Hereafter, that would damage my prospects in this world, and if this is the case, I would rather my prospects be damaged in this transient world."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.236,237 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] said: "The people will be honest with their ruler so long as the ruler is honest with Allah, and if the ruler is dishonest, the people will be dishonest."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.246 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
"Do not be deceived by a man's eloquence; rather whoever fulfils trusts and refrains from impugning people's honour is a real man."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Do not look at a man's prayer or fasting; rather look at his reason and honesty."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "There are two (types of) men I do not fear for you a believer whose faith is obvious and a kafir whose kufr is obvious. Rather I fear for you the hypocrite who hides behind a show of faith but strives for some other purpose."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.272 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar described sincere companions as follows: "You should look for sincere companions, for you will be happy with them; they will be a source of pleasure at times of ease and a support at times of calamity. Think positively of your brother until he does something that justifies your keeping away from him, and keep away from your enemy, and beware of your friend except those who are trustworthy, and there is no one who is trustworthy except one who fears Allah. Do not keep company with an evildoer lest you be influenced by his evil, and do not tell him your secrets. Consult those who fear Allah about your affairs."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.277 - 278 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Were it not that I like to walk for the sake of Allah, and sleep on the ground for the sake of Allah, or sit with people who choose the best words as one chooses the best fruit (i.e. they speak eloquently), I would like to have met Allah (i.e., died)."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] His Life & Times vol.1 p.278 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Ibn 'Abbas narrated that 'Umar said to some of Quraysh: "I have heard that you have gatherings. No two people should have a private gathering so that it is said that this person is the companion of So and so. So private gatherings should be avoided. By Allah this is harmful to your religious commitment, harmful to your honour and harmful to your unity between you. I can see that those who come after you will say, 'This is the opinion of So and so,' thus dividing Islam into factions. Make your gatherings open to everyone and sit together, for this will cause the love between you to last and will make you more respected among the people."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.291 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said to one who fidgeted during the prayer: "If one's heart was properly focused, his limbs would be too."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.301 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "If a man comes out of his house carrying a burden of sins like mountains of Tihamah, then when he hears some knowledge he fears Allah and repents, he will go back home with no sins on him. So do not forsake the gatherings of the scholars."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.332 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "No man is a scholar until he does not envy those who are above him and does not despise those who are beneath him, and does not take any payment for his work."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Acquire knowledge before you become leaders and pride prevents you from learning and you live in ignorance."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Even if knowledge does not benefit you, it will not harm you."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "The death of a thousand worshippers is easier to bear than the death of a scholar who has knowledge of what Allah has permitted and forbidden."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Be vessels of the Qur'an (i.e., learn it by heart) and founts of knowledge, and ask Allah for provision day by day, and it will not harm you if He does not give you a lot."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Seek knowledge and teach it to people. Learn dignity and tranquillity, and be humble towards those from whom you learn knowledge and be humble towards those to whom you teach it, and do not be tyrannical scholar otherwise your knowledge cannot be established because of your tyranny."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar warned against the mistake of scholars and said: "Islam will be destroyed by the mistakes of scholars, the arguments of the hypocrites who misinterpret the Qur'an to support their views and misleading rulers."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.333 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The words "Remember that some stinginess is a brand of hypocrisy" clearly refer to those who fall short in spending for the sake of Allah. They see some states and groups of their ummah being attacked by the kuffar, their honour being violated and the resources of their lands being plundered, but when those who are being attacked rise to fight in jihad, they only find a few Muslims who are willing to help them with their wealth. Those believes who are afflicted with the disease of miserliness are behaving somewhat like the hypocrites, which is a sign of weakness of faith.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.336, 337 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] said: "Whoever conceals his secrets will have the choice (of telling whomever he wants to tell), but whoever speaks or acts in a suspicious manner should not blame anyone who thinks badly of him. Do not think badly of a word spoken by your brother when you can still find good ways to interpret it. Think positively of your brother until you are certain that he is not like that. Do not swear a great deal lest Allah humiliate you. There is no better reward for one who disobey Allah concerning you than your obeying Allah concerning him. You should seek sincere friends and maintain good relations with them, for they are a pleasure at times of ease and a support at times of calamity."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.337, 338 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Sayings of 'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him]:
"When did you enslave people whose mothers bore them free?"
"No one is suited to this position except the one who is gentle without being weak and strong without being harsh."
"I want a man for the position of governorship who, when he is the leader of people he would be thought as one of them, and when he is one of them he would be thought of as their leader."
Concerning governor's: "I complain to Allah of the wrongdoing of one who is strong and the incapability of one who is pious."
"Whoever does not recognise evil is more likely to fall into it."
"I am not a crafty person but I cannot be deceived by a crafty person."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.340 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "When Allah commands people to do a thing, He helps them to do it, and when He forbids them to do a thing, He renders them independent of it."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.340 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Adh-Dhahabi said: "Abu ad-Darda' was the scholar of the people of Syria, and the teacher, faqeeh and judge of the people of Damascus. He was one of the few most prominent Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) in knowledge of the Qur'an. He encouraged the people of Syria to seek knowledge, saying, 'Why do I see your scholars dying and the ignorant among you not learning? Learn before knowledge is taken away, for the taking away of knowledge is the death of the scholars. And he encouraged the pursuit of knowledge by saying, 'Be a scholar or a learner, or a lover (of knowledge) or a follower. Do not be the fifth and be doomed.' "
Al-Hasan al-Basri said: "And the fifth is the innovator."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.362,0363 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Abu ad-Darda said: "Seek knowledge; if you cannot, then love its people; and if you do not love them, then do not hate them. Learn and teach, for the scholar and the learner are equal in reward. But you will never be a scholar until you are a learner, and you will never be a learner until you act on what you know. And he used to say: "You will not understand fiqh fully until you see the different interpretations of the verses of the Qur'an."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.363 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Mu'adh ibn Jabal encouraged the people to seek knowledge, and he said: "Seek knowledge, for learning for the sake of Allah is piety, seeking it is worship, discussing it is tasbeeh, pursuing it is jihad, and teaching it to one who does not know it is charity. Knowledge shows us what is halal and what is haram, and is the beacon of the people of Paradise. It brings comfort when one is lonely and shows the correct way to behave at times of ease and times of hardship. It is a weapon against one's enemies. Allah raises people (in status) because of it and makes them among the elite, leaders whose example is followed and whose opinion is adopted."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.366 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Mu'adh ibn Jabal said: "Knowledge and faith will abide until the Day of Resurrection. Whoever seeks them will find them in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Check everything you hear against the Qur'an, but do not check the Qur'an against anything that you hear." For Mu'adh, the Qur'an was the standard against which everything else was to be measured, but it was not to be measured against anything else. This was Mu'adh's method in teaching the Qur'an, which he adhered to until the last moment of his life. As he was dying, each time he regained consciousness and opened his eyes, he would say: "My Lord, let me die the way You want, for by Your Glory, You know that my heart loves You."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.366, 367 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Ubadah ibn as-Samit said: "This world is transient but present, and the Hereafter is a true promise. This world has its children and the Hereafter has its children, so be children of the Hereafter and do not be children of this world, for every mother is followed by her children."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.367 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] sayings:
"Learn Arabic, for it makes a person more logical and wise, and increases his chivalry."
"Learn grammar as you learn the Sunnahs and shares of inheritance."
"Learn I'rab al-Qur'an (syntax) as you learn to memorise it."
"The worst of writing is that which is elongated without being clear, and the worst of reading is to say things unclearly, and the best of writing is that which is clearest."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.371, 372 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Jizyah is a tax which is imposed on the individual from among the People of the Book who come under the protection of the Muslims. It has also been suggested that it is a poll tax levied on the kuffar as a form of humiliation or to make them feel subdued because Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala - "The Exalted") says;
Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger [Muhammad], and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth [i.e. Islam] among the people of the Scripture [Jews and Christians], until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. (Qur'an 9:26)
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.443 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Conditions of the jizyah contract and when it was to be paid.
From the era of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, the fuqaha' (the Islamic Jurists) derived a number of such conditions:
* They should not refer to the Book of Allah with any criticism or distortion
* They should not mention the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in terms of rejection or disbelief
* They should not mention the religion of Islam with any criticism or insult
* They should not have relations with any Muslim woman by way of zina or in the name of marriage
* They should not tempt a Muslim away from his religion or harm him financially or cause him annoyance because of his religion
* They should not help those who are at war against the Muslims
With regards to the time when it should be paid, the caliph 'Umar stipulated that jizyah should be paid at the end of the year, meaning the end of the agricultural year.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.452 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Kharaj has two meanings. In the general sense it refers to any income that comes to the bayt al-mal (Public treasury) of the Muslims from sources other than zakah. So it comes under the general heading of fay' (Spoils obtained without fighting as against war-booty) and includes the income from jizyah, (Tax paid by the unbeliever living in the Islamic state under its protection) 'ushoor (tithes) etc. And it has a specific meaning, which is the income from the lands that the Muslims had conquered by force, which the ruler had then left to earn an income for the Muslims in perpetuity, as 'Umar did with the land of as-Sawad in Iraq and Syria. Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: "Kharaj is not based on the value of the land or the income from the rent, rather it is not based on the land itself."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.1 p.453 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "The happiest of people is the one under whose care people are happy because of him, and the most miserable of people is the one under whose care people are miserable because of him. Beware of indulging in worldly pleasures or allowing your agents to do so, lest you become like an animal that sees some vegetation and starts grazing it, aiming to get fat, buts its death is in its fat.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.40 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar addressed his governors and said: "Know that no forbearance is more beloved to Allah and more far-reaching than the forbearance and kindness of a leader and nothing is more hatred by Allah and more far-reaching than the ignorance and foolishness of a leader."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.49 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar advice he gave to al-Ahnaf was the following, 'O' Ahnaf, 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 fear of Allah, and whoever loses his fear of Allah is spiritually dead.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.53 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
When news of the conquest of Syria came to 'Umar, he said to Abu Moosa: "Call your scribe to read this to the people in the mosque." Abu Moosa said, "He cannot enter the mosque." 'Umar asked, "Why not? Is he junub? (In a state of ritual impurity)" He said, "No, rather he is a Christian." 'Umar rebuked him and said, "Do not bring them near when Allah has cast them away; do not honour them when Allah has humiliated them; do not trust them when Allah has stated that they are treacherous. I have forbidden you to employ people of the Book, for they accept bribes."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
It was narrated that Usiqq said: "I was a Christian slave of 'Umar's, and he said, 'Become Muslim so that we may appoint you over some of the Muslims' affairs, because we cannot appoint over their affairs one who is not one of them.' He set me free as he was dying and said, 'Go wherever you want.' "
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Among the most important characteristic of 'Umar's governors were: strength of faith, Islamic knowledge, trust in Allah, exemplary conduct, sincerity, being qualified for the post, courage, chivalry, ascenticism, love of sacrifice, humility, acceptance of advice, forbearance, patience, ambition, resolve, strong willpower, justice, the ability to solve problems, and other such characteristic.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.55,56 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] would write to his governors: "The most important of your affairs in my view is prayer; whoever prays regularly has protected his faith, but whoever neglects it is bound to be more negligent in other issues of faith."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.67 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
'Umar said: "Do not put off today's work until tomorrow, lest work accumulate and you achieve nothing."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.79 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Durayd ibn Ka'b an-Nakha'i said to his people: "The Muslims are preparing for the fight, so be among the first of the Muslims to fight for Allah and in jihad tonight, for no one will be among the first tonight but his reward will be in accordance with how soon he joined the fight. Compete with them for martyrdom and be content with death, for this is the best way to avoid death if you want to live and if you do not, then the Hereafter is what you are seeking."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.195 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Al-Ash'ath ibn Qays said: "O' Arabs, these people (the Persians) should not be more daring in facing death and less concerned about worldly gains than you. Compete for wives and children and do not fear death, for this is the wish of the noble people and the means of martyrdom."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.195 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Salman said to him: "Islam is new and by Allah the rivers and seas have been subjugated to them as the land is subjugated. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Salman, people will leave (Islam) in crowds just as they entered it in crowds."
What Salman [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] meant by saying, "Islam is new" is that it was still alive and its followers were strong in faith and proud of it. Islam was the focal point of their lives for which they lived and died; they called people to it and they defended it. But later on there would come generations, who would inherit this religion and would not be Muslims by choice, and it would not be the focal point of their concerns and feelings, rather all their concern would be focused on worldly achievements and enjoying the pleasures of this world; Islam would become a secondary concern in their lives. At that point they would go out of Islam in crowds just as they entered it in crowds.
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.219, 220 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Heraclius asked of his followers, who had been held captive by the Muslims, "Tell me about these people." He said, "I shall tell you so that it is as if you can see them. These are knights by day and monks by night. They do not take anything unlawfully, they do not enter a place except by giving the greeting of Salam, and they destroy utterly anyone who fights them." Heraclius said, "If what you are telling me is true, then will take control of the land that is beneath my feet."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.301 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
On of the most famous sayings of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] concerning favouritism is: "Whoever appoints a man because of favouritism or blood ties, and does not appoint him for any other reason, has betrayed Allah and His Messenger, and whoever appoints an evildoer knowing that he is an evildoer, is just like him."
('Umar Ibn Al-Khattab [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him] His Life & Times vol.2 p.350 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him") Advice
1. Do not be misled by someone's reputation.
2. Do not judge a person only by his performance of Salah and Sawn; rather look into his truthfulness and wisdom.
3. One who keeps his secrets controls his affairs.
4. Fear the person whom you hate.
5. Prudent is he who can assess his actions.
6. Do not defer your work for tomorrow.
7. He who has no idea of evil can easily fall into its trap.
8. Judge a man's intelligence by the questions he asks.
9. Less concern for material well-being enables one to lead a free life.
10. It is easier not to indulge in sins than to repent.
11. Contentment and gratitude are two great virtues; you should not care which one you are getting.
12. Be grateful to him who points out your defects.
Abu Bakr As Siddeeq
Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"]
Imam Al-Qurtubee (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "One of the greatest afflictions a person can suffer is an affliction in matters that pertain to religion. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'When one of you is afflicted by a calamity, then let him remember how he was afflicted with my death, for indeed, that is the greatest of all calamities.' Indeed the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke the truth. Until the Day of Resurrection, no Muslim can be afflicted with a calamity that is greater than that of the Prophet's death: revelation ceased to descend to earth, and Prophethood became a thing of the past (i.e., no other Prophet would be sent to mankind).
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.201 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Words of the noble scholar ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him): "Verily, Allah helps a just country even if it is a disbelieving one, and He does not help a wrong-doing country even if it is a Muslim one. It is through justice that men are made noble and wealth is made abundant."
(The biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.262 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The noble scholar ibn Taymiyyah wrote, "If legal warfare in Islam means fighting Jihaad so that all religion will be for Allah and so that Allah's Word will be the highest, then, based on the consensus of Muslims, those who prevent (others from hearing the message of Islam) must be fought against."
(The biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.552 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Haraql asked, "And did you not outnumber them?" They said, "Yes, in every battle we were many times more than them." Haraql asked, "Then what was your problem? Why did you suffer defeat at their hands? An old and wise leader among them was the only one who ventured a reply: "We were defeated because they stand up at night (to pray), they fast during the day, they fulfil their covenants, they enjoin good, they forbid evil, and they are just and fair among themselves; and because we drink alcohol, we fornicate, we perpetrate unlawful acts, we violate the terms of our covenants, we become angry and oppress others, we enjoin angry (and senseless acts of violence), we forbid the things that please Allah, and we spread corruption throughout the earth." "You have answered me truthfully," Haraql then said to him. Haraql appreciated the fact that, while no one else had the courage to speak their minds, the old, wise man answered him in a forthright, sincere, and judicious manner.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.685/686 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Improve yourself, and as a result people will be made to improve for you.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.634 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
When you seek the advice of others, be truthful in speech; and as a result, you will be given truthful counsel. And do not hide from your advisors key information that you have with you; otherwise, you will only expose yourself (and show yourself to be an incapable leader).
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.635 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Do not sit in the company of foolish people who waste their time; instead, sit with people of truthfulness and faithfulness.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.635 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Abu Bakr's [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] Advice to the Muslim Army
1. Always fear Allah; He knows what is in men's hearts.
2. Be kind to those who are under you and treat them well.
3. Give brief directions; directions that are too long are likely to be forgotten.
4. Improve your own conduct before asking others to improve theirs.
5. Honour the enemy’s envoy.
6. Maintain the secrecy of your plans.
7. Always speak the truth, so that you get the right advice.
8. Consult your men when you are free to do so; this will develop participation.
9. Take suitable measures to keep a watch on the enemy.
10. Be sincere to all with whom you deal.
11. Give up cowardice and dishonesty.
12. Give up bad company.
Imam Al-Qurtubee (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "One of the greatest afflictions a person can suffer is an affliction in matters that pertain to religion. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'When one of you is afflicted by a calamity, then let him remember how he was afflicted with my death, for indeed, that is the greatest of all calamities.' Indeed the Prophet (peace be upon him) spoke the truth. Until the Day of Resurrection, no Muslim can be afflicted with a calamity that is greater than that of the Prophet's death: revelation ceased to descend to earth, and Prophethood became a thing of the past (i.e., no other Prophet would be sent to mankind).
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.201 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Words of the noble scholar ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him): "Verily, Allah helps a just country even if it is a disbelieving one, and He does not help a wrong-doing country even if it is a Muslim one. It is through justice that men are made noble and wealth is made abundant."
(The biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.262 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
The noble scholar ibn Taymiyyah wrote, "If legal warfare in Islam means fighting Jihaad so that all religion will be for Allah and so that Allah's Word will be the highest, then, based on the consensus of Muslims, those who prevent (others from hearing the message of Islam) must be fought against."
(The biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.552 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Haraql asked, "And did you not outnumber them?" They said, "Yes, in every battle we were many times more than them." Haraql asked, "Then what was your problem? Why did you suffer defeat at their hands? An old and wise leader among them was the only one who ventured a reply: "We were defeated because they stand up at night (to pray), they fast during the day, they fulfil their covenants, they enjoin good, they forbid evil, and they are just and fair among themselves; and because we drink alcohol, we fornicate, we perpetrate unlawful acts, we violate the terms of our covenants, we become angry and oppress others, we enjoin angry (and senseless acts of violence), we forbid the things that please Allah, and we spread corruption throughout the earth." "You have answered me truthfully," Haraql then said to him. Haraql appreciated the fact that, while no one else had the courage to speak their minds, the old, wise man answered him in a forthright, sincere, and judicious manner.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.685/686 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Improve yourself, and as a result people will be made to improve for you.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.634 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
When you seek the advice of others, be truthful in speech; and as a result, you will be given truthful counsel. And do not hide from your advisors key information that you have with you; otherwise, you will only expose yourself (and show yourself to be an incapable leader).
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.635 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Do not sit in the company of foolish people who waste their time; instead, sit with people of truthfulness and faithfulness.
(The Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq [May Allah be pleased with him] p.635 Dr. 'Ali M. as-Sallabi)
Abu Bakr's [Radia-Allahu 'Anhu - "May Allah be pleased with him"] Advice to the Muslim Army
1. Always fear Allah; He knows what is in men's hearts.
2. Be kind to those who are under you and treat them well.
3. Give brief directions; directions that are too long are likely to be forgotten.
4. Improve your own conduct before asking others to improve theirs.
5. Honour the enemy’s envoy.
6. Maintain the secrecy of your plans.
7. Always speak the truth, so that you get the right advice.
8. Consult your men when you are free to do so; this will develop participation.
9. Take suitable measures to keep a watch on the enemy.
10. Be sincere to all with whom you deal.
11. Give up cowardice and dishonesty.
12. Give up bad company.