Umar RA And The Old Man.

How often do we find ourselves falling short upon honoring our brothers and sisters in Islaam, I see it quite often { Subhaan Allaah } amongst us all,
may Allaah[ Azza Wa Jall ]aid us in rectifying our affairs and rectifying our relationship with Him
[Azza wa Jall] 'Aameen'.

What are the benefits of this beautiful story?
and there are many.


Preserving the Honor of the Muslims

One day, 'Umar {Radiullaahi anhu} left his home with Abdullaah bin Mas'ud {Radiullaah anhu} and during that late hour of the night, they saw the glow of a fire burning at a distance.

They followed the light until it led them to a home with a burning lamp. Upon seeing the lamp, 'Umar[r.a.] entered the house and saw an old man sitting with Alcohol in front of him and a female singer entertaining him.
The old man was caught off-guard by 'Umar's {r.a.} sudden attack when he said to him:-
" I have not seen a sight more shameful than what I have witnessed tonight from an old man who should be awaiting death"

The old man responded:-
'Indeed, O Leader of the Believers, what you have done is more shameful'.

You have entered my house without my permission and spied on me -
and is not spying forbidden in Islaam?"
'Umar admitted to the truth of his statement and left the old man's house, biting his garment and crying as he said:-

"May the Mother of 'Umar lose him if Allah does not forgive me."

Therefore, the old man stopped attending the gatherings of 'Umar. After some time passed, 'Umar saw the old man in one of the last rows of his gatherings and wished to speak with him.
Fearing harshness from 'Umar, the old man approached him cautiously, being asked to come closer and closer until he was finally seated near the Leader of the Believers.
'Umar asked to have his ear next to his mouth and said, " By the One (Allaah) Who has sent Prophet Muhammad [sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam] with the truth:-

I HAVE NOT INFORMED ANYONE OF WHAT I SAW OF YOU THAT NIGHT, NOR HAVE I INFORMED 'ABDULLAAH IBN MAS'OOD( for indeed he was with me.")

The old man replied, " O Leader of the Believers! By the One Who has sent Prophet Muhammad with the truth, I too have not returned to those evil actions since the night you entered upon me. "
'Umar uttered out loud, "Allaahu Akbar!"

yet no one from the gathering knew what had occurred between the two men.

1. The old man was in the privacy of his own home drinking khumr and being entertained by a woman and listening to her sing. (Haraam)

2. Umar entered upon him without permission (Haraam)

3. He spied on the old man (Haraam)

4. Due to Umar's actions, the old man stopped attending Umar's gatherings of knowledge.

5. Then after some time, the old man started to return back to the gatherings of Umar, (Praiseworthy)

6. He wanted to speak to Umar but due to Umar's harsh actions, he was scared to approach him (Understandable)

7. He finially approached Umar, they SPOKE PRIVATELY without anyone else hearing them because it was no one elses business! (Praiseworthy)

8. Umar informed the old man that what he saw HE KEPT TO HIMSELF and didnt even TELL HIS COMPANION who was with him (Praiseworthy)

9. and the old man LEFT OF THE EVIL ACTIONS HE WAS COMMITING (praiseworthy) Allaahu Akbar.

{Side Note} IT IS IMPERMISSIBLE TO INFORM OTHERS OF SOMETHING THAT WAS CONVEYED TO YOU ONLY BY ANOTHER, ESPECIALLY IF THEY SAY 'DONT TELL ANYONE' AND EVEN IF THEY DONT SAY 'DONT TELL ANYONE.

May Allaah{ Azza Wa Jall } Forgive us for anything we may have made a mistake in, and have mercy on us all and Guide us,
Our families and all the Believing men and Women 'Aameen'.




Source:-Al-lu'lu' wal Manthoor The Book 'Gems & Jewels'.