Men of Excellence : Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) was among those to whom the Holy Prophet(sa) had given the glad tidings of paradise.
Hazrat Umar(ra) is Vouchsafed Paradise
His Holiness(aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet(sa) was in an orchard, when someone came to the door and asked to enter. The Holy Prophet(sa) said that the door should be opened, and the person at the door should be given the glad tidings of paradise. When the door opened, it was Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), and he was conveyed these glad tidings. Then another person came to the door, and the Holy Prophet(sa) said the same thing. This time, it was Hazrat Umar(ra) and these glad tidings were conveyed to him. Then, a third person came to the door, and the Holy Prophet(sa) said that he should be given the glad tidings of paradise, despite having to endure hardships. When the door was opened, it was Hazrat Uthman(ra), and these glad tidings were conveyed to him.
His Holiness(aba) said that on another occasion, the Holy Prophet(sa) saw a dream in which he was in paradise, and he saw a woman performing ablution beside a castle. He inquired who this castle belonged to, and he was told that it belonged to Hazrat Umar(ra).
The Rank of Hazrat Umar(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet(sa) said regarding Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) and Hazrat Umar(ra), that they were the leaders of all those in heaven other than the prophets and messengers.
His Holiness(aba) said that the Holy Prophet(sa) stated that if there were to be a prophet right after him, it would be Hazrat Umar(ra). His Holiness(aba) clarified that the Holy Prophet(sa) was referring to the time right after his demise, otherwise he had already stated that the latter-day messiah would be a prophet.
His Holiness(aba) said that there are those who are not prophets, but are blessed with converse with God. He said that among his people, Hazrat Umar(ra) was a Muhaddith (a person who receives many revelations). The Promised Messiah(as) explained that this did not mean that Hazrat Umar(ra) was the only Muhaddith from the nation of the Holy Prophet(sa). Rather, this meant that one could become a Muhaddith once they adopt the spirit and qualities of Hazrat Umar(ra). Thus, it was revealed to the Promised Messiah(as) that he was a Muhaddith and he had within him the spirit and qualities of Hazrat Umar(ra).
Regard of the Holy Prophet(sa) for the Advice of Hazrat Umar(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) suggested that the Holy Qur’an should be compiled into a single copy. In the Battle of Yamama, many Huffaz (people who committed the Holy Qur’an to memory) were martyred. Thus, Hazrat Umar(ra) suggested that in order to ensure that no part of the Qur’an was lost, it should be compiled into a single copy. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) eventually accepted this suggestion and this task commenced.
His Holiness(aba) said that when Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Sulool [chief of the hypocrites] died, his son went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and requested for his shirt so that his father may be buried in it. The Holy Prophet(sa) granted him his shirt. Then, he requested the Holy Prophet(sa) to lead his father’s funeral prayer. Upon this, Hazrat Umar(ra) stood up and said that God had instructed him not to lead the funeral prayers of hypocrites. The Holy Prophet(sa) replied that God had given him the choice to either pray for their forgiveness, or to not pray for their forgiveness. Then later, it was revealed to the Holy Prophet(sa) that he should not lead the funeral prayers of hypocrites.
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who explained, that the rank of Hazrat Umar(ra) was so lofty, that at times he would say or suggest something, and soon after, a Qur’anic verse would be revealed to the Holy Prophet(sa) which was directly in line with what Hazrat Umar(ra) had only recently said.
His Holiness(aba) said that the Holy Prophet(sa) used to accept Hazrat Umar’s(ra) suggestion at times of war. Once during a journey, the people’s provisions had depleted, and so they asked permission from the Holy Prophet(sa) to sacrifice their camels for sustenance. Hazrat Umar(ra) went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and said that if they did this, then how could they continue without their camels. Instead, he suggested that everyone should gather whatever provisions they had. Then the Holy Prophet(sa) prayed upon them, and it so happened that everyone was able to eat to their fill.
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) had also seen a dream regarding the Azan [call to prayer]. When Hazrat Umar(ra) first heard the call to prayer, Hazrat Umar(ra) informed the Holy Prophet(sa) that he had seen a dream in which he heard the same words. The Holy Prophet(sa) praised God, and said that this further affirmed the authenticity of the Azan.
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who said that once, Hazrat Umar(ra) visited the Holy Prophet(sa) who was laying on a cot that left marks on his back, and he saw that the Holy Prophet’s (sa) house was practically empty. Hazrat Umar(ra) began crying upon seeing the hardship of the Holy Prophet(sa), while disbelievers such as Caesar and Chosroes were enjoying the luxuries of this world. The Holy Prophet(sa) said that he did not need anything from this world. He said that he was like a traveller, who journeys in the sweltering heat, and stops under the shade only for a few moments so that his riding animal may rest, and then continues on in the heat once again.
Hazrat Umar’s(ra) Love for the Holy Prophet(sa)
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) loved the Holy Prophet(sa) very much. Upon hearing of the demise of the Holy Prophet(sa), Hazrat Umar(ra) immediately said that the Holy Prophet(sa) could not be dead and would soon awaken. It was only after Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) consoled him and explained the reality to him, that he accepted it. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) recited the verse of the Holy Qur’an which states that Muhammad(sa) was but a Messenger, and all messengers before him passed away. Hazrat Umar(ra) understood that just as all previous prophets had passed away, the same was the case for the Holy Prophet(sa).
His Holiness(aba) said that once, while kissing the black stone of the Holy Ka’bah, Hazrat Umar(ra) said that he was kissing it only because he had seen the Holy Prophet(sa) kiss it, otherwise there was no intrinsic value of the stone itself for which he would kiss it. By doing so, Hazrat Umar(ra) maintained the honour of the Ka’bah, while upholding the unity of God.
His Holiness(aba) said that once Hazrat Umar(ra) told the Holy Prophet(sa) that he was given milk in a dream. The Holy Prophet(sa) said that this referred to knowledge. On another occasion, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that he saw various companions in a dream, wearing clothes of different lengths. He also saw Hazrat Umar(ra) who was wearing long clothes that were dragging on the ground behind him. People asked the Holy Prophet(as) what he took this to mean, and he replied saying that this referred to the faith.
His Holiness(aba) said that he would continue highlighting these incidents in future sermons.
Funeral Prayer
His Holiness(aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayer of a deceased member.
Dr Taseer Mujtaba Sahib who was a doctor in the Fazl-e-Umar hospital (Rabwah). Although he had been suffering from various ailments, he fell ill quite suddenly, which eventually resulted in his demise. After completing his studies, he served from some time in the army, then in different hospitals. He also dedicated himself for a few years, during which time he served at a hospital in Ghana, which was established by his father. He served in Ghana for about 23 years, and then later in the Fazl-e-Umar Hospital for about 17 years. He was married to the granddaughter of the Second Caliph(ra), and he had one son and one daughter. When his wife went to meet him at the hospital, he conveyed greetings of peace for His Holiness(aba), and she felt that the manner in which he was speaking was as if he was leaving. He never had the habit of speaking ill of others, and if he heard anyone else doing so, he would remain silent. He would care for patients even after his shift was over, so that they would receive care and he could help lighten the load of other doctors. He treated patients very kindly and would often check patients without taking any fee. He was very humble and simple, such that is seldom found in others. He was always ready to learn in order to better help others. He had a special passion for presenting financial sacrifices. As a doctor, he always strove to serve humanity and this was his driving force. Along with obtaining secular knowledge, he had a passion for increasing his religious knowledge by reading the books of the Promised Messiah(as) and other literature of the Community.
He was a selfless individual who wished to serve humanity. His Holiness(aba) said that he saw these qualities in him and his father. He saw that not only would they provide medicine, but they would even provide food for their patients. His Holiness(aba) said that he personally knows Africans who recall them fondly due to their services in Ghana. He served with the true spirit of devotion. He was extremely hospitable, and His Holiness(aba) commented that a man can only be hospitable with the support of his wife which he had. His Holiness(aba) also prayed for her long life. His Holiness(aba) said that Dr Taseer Mujtaba Sahib was certainly like an angel.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.