Golden Words Hazrat Umar Faarooq
RadiAllahAnho
Gems of Wisdom by Ameer al-Mu'mineen
Sayyiduna 'Umar al-Farooq Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho
To eat less is healthy, to speak less is wisdom, and
to sleep less is worship.
To speak less is wisdom, to eat less is healthy and
to mingle less with the people is safe and serene.
The one who steps back will not progress.
Nothing is worst than avarice that destroys the
mind, not even Alcohol.
It is unbecoming of that person who sits with his
hands folded and prays to ALLAH SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala for sustenance. ALLAH SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala does not rain down gold and silver from the
heavens.
To earn a suspicious living is worse than begging.
The biggest gift after Iman (Faith) is your wives.
Attain knowledge before old age settles in.
Extravagance is also when a person eats whatever
he wishes.
Whosoever hides his secret keeps his safety,
safeguarded with himself.
The person who calls himself learned, indeed he is
ignorant, and the one who calls himself from the
dwellers of Paradise surely he is from the dwellers
of Hell.
Tawbatun-NasooHa (Accepted forgiveness) is the
name of that forgiveness that is asked for a bad
deed committed, in such a manner that he never
returns to or commits that bad deed again.
The Strength in action is, never to put of what you
can do today for tomorrow.
It is not becoming of a Muslim to sit down and
start praying for sustenance without attempting to
earn it, he is well aware that gold and silver does
not rain from the skies.
If it wasn’t for the claim of knowledge of the
unknown then I would say five people are from the
dwellers of Paradise:
1. That family man who is poverty stricken but is
patient
2. That women with whom her husband is happy and
accepting.
3. That woman who forgives he husband’s duty of
Mehr (Dowry approved by Muslim law)
4. That person with whom his parents are Happy
5. And that person who honestly repents from his sins
Once a sheep was slaughtered and Syeduna 'Umar
al-Farooq Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho persistently
asked his servant if he had first sent meat to his
neighbor who was a Jew. The slave asked why you
are asking the same question persistently. He
answered that ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala and
his Rasūl Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam had
constantly stressed the importance of neighbors
therefore I too am persistent in stressing the same.
Three things build love:
1. To make Salam (greeting)
2. To make space for a person in a gathering
3. To address a person in a respectable and good
manner
There are four types of Regrets:
1. Regret that spans over a day e.g. When a person
leaves his home without eating.
2. Regret that spans over a year, just like the
negligence shown when cultivating.
3. Regret that spans over a lifetime, when a man and
his wife are unsuited to each other.
4. Regret that is eternal, which is when your Creator
is unhappy with you.
There are three types of people:
1. Successful: he who listens to the advice of people
and ponders over it.
2. Lazy or Lethargic: he who does what he wants
without consultation or advice of people.
3. Corpse: who neither gives nor listens to advice and
consolation.
Sayyiduna 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho on
many an occasion asked this du'a (supplication) to
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala so that certain
situations should always remain with him and
some things should be removed, the Du'a is: “O
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala! Make me such that I
may speak with intellect or reap tolerance with
silent. O! ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala do not
bestow upon me too many favours, so that I may
not be confused by it, not too little that I may
forget You. Hence, little yet sufficient in
comparison to having plenty thereby becoming
indulgent and committing sin.”
If ever you see a learned person ('Aalim) leaning
towards this World, then know this he is
blameworthy for his Religion, because the
universal harm is that if a person desires
something then he is constantly engrossed in its
quest.
Faith (Iman) is to regard the Oneness of ALLAH
SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala in ones heart proclaim it
with your tongue and to obey the fundamental
Islamic Instructions.
The relationship of true humility and genuine fear
of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala is with the heart
and not by a show of outward actions.
Why have you made slaves of those whose mothers
had given birth to them free?
Judgments or Settlements in any cases should be
done quickly, so that the accused, due to a
prolonged period of time are not compelled to
withdraw their accusation.
It is absolutely necessary not to associate with a
beast for though he wishes or means well, yet he
would still be accused of committing a crime.
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, shower your
Blessings of Mercy on that person who informs me
of my faults.
When a learned man takes a false step then he
ensnares himself in a World of wrongdoings.
One day a man was praising Hadrat 'Umar Radi
ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, he replied by saying why are
you destroying me even more with my desires
(Nafs).
I am not a fool, but I pretend to be a fool, in order
to fool the fool. And just when the fool thinks I am
a fool, I will expose the fool and show to him that
he is the fool.
I do not look at anything, except, that I see
everything with ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala.
If I die in this condition that I have strived to earn
an honest living then it is more beloved to me than
even dying as a Martyr.
Good behavior towards people is equivalent to
wisdom, to request politely is half of knowledge,
and to ascribe to sound policies is half of one’s
livelihood.
To educate a material person is like placing a
sword in the hands of a robber.
Do not have Faith in a person’s compassion and
politeness when he cannot keep his anger under
control.
Do not have Faith in a religious person who is not
tested during temptation.
He is a friend who brings to your attention your
faults and to sing praises of a person in his
presence is similar to slaughtering him.
Laughing decreases ones age, while politeness,
glamor, pomp and show which ease living
standards are indications of people who are
unaware of death.
To show greed and avarice is impoverishing, to be
unselfish is enriching and to wish compensation in
patience.
Good deeds are the fulfillment of one’s rights and
to do good deeds is a substitute for bad deeds.
To speak less is wisdom, to eat less is healthy, to
sleep less is a prayer and there is peace in solitude.
Youth before old age and old age before death is a
blessing of life.
A generous person is the beloved of Almighty
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala even though he is a
transgressor. A miser is the enemy of Almighty
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala although he may
pray and remember Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu
wa Ta'ala excessively.
To forgive an oppressor is oppression upon the
oppressed.
When you combine lawful with unlawful gains
then the unlawful contaminates the lawful gains
though it may be little.
A Mu'min does not keep as his friend one who is
opposed to Almighty ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala
and his Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam even
though that person may be his mother or father.
The sound of music and that of a mourner are two
of the worst sounds.
There is tranquility and peace in anonymity and
confidentiality.
We should leave the other nine portions out for the
fear of Haram (unlawful). (i.e. if in ten portions
one is Haram a Muslim would leave the other nine
portions out meaning anything unlawful would be
completely left out).
Desire is never achieved without fear, nor
manners and etiquette without formality, or
happiness without peace or wealth without gifts or
poverty without contentment, or dignity without
politeness or Jihad (holy war) without diving
guidance and assistance.
Respite before preoccupation and old age before
death is a blessing of life.
Honour and dignity in this World is measured by
wealth while honour and dignity in the Hereafter
is measured by good deeds.
Save yourself from the Fires of Hell even if it
means by doing a favour with half a date (fruit). If
this too is not possible then with sweet words.
After Iman (Faith), there is no greater gift than a
pious wife.
Not to postpone is strength in action.
Whosoever shows you your faults, he is your
friend. Those that pay you lip service in praise are
your executioners.
One who guards his secrets is surely safe.
The person who constantly discloses my faults to
me is dearest to me.
Fear that person who you dislike.
When Sayyiduna 'Umar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho
camped on the outskirts of Jerusalem to conquer
Bait al-Maqdas, the Christian Crusaders were
terrified of his presence and requested a meeting
with him before handing over the keys of the city.
The Crusaders met him whilst he wore a patched
garb. They asked him the reason as to why his
name generated such immense awe and fear that
captured the hearts of his enemies. He replied;
“Your kings taught you to love the World (Duniyah)
and its wealth and our Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa
Sallam taught us to fear ALLAH SubHanuhu wa
Ta'ala and love death.
He is an intelligent person who can translate his
actions into good.
Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.
There is never a chance of pain in the neck if one
does not raise his head too high in the air.
Do not forget about yourself whilst being
concerned for others.
To stop sinning is easier than to bear the burden of
seeking repentance.
Remove your gaze from the splendor of the World.
Do not let the love of this World enter your heart.
Beware! The love of this World does not perhaps
destroy you, just as it had destroyed previous
nations.
Victory is gained through strategy and trust in
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, not by wishful
thinking.
The most intelligent amongst you is he who fears
ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala the most.
Be sympathetic towards the poor so that they may
be able to speak and build courage.
Extend a hand of friendship to a foreigner because
if his stay is extended then he would leave his
valuable possessions to return to his own country
and leave that person responsible for his valuables
who had been most worthy of his attention
Do not taunt and curse anyone for this gives rise to
collective evils in a person.
One should not judge a person by the number of
Salaat (prayer) or Roza (fasting) but by his wisdom
and honesty.
To die for the right is better than to live for
falsehood. Courage is recommend, cowardice is
detestable, and falsehood is vulnerable to vanish!
Prayer is connected to the heart not by mere
apparent actions.
To educate a seeker of materialism is to place a
sword in the hands of a highway robber.
Do not trust the character of one who cannot
control his temper.
To laugh excessively is a sign of no remorse for
death.
To side with the oppressor is oppression on the
oppressed.
Death is the best teacher.
The dearest of you as long as you have not met us
are the best in names. But after we had seen you,
the best of you to us are the best of you in
character. When we scrutinize you, the dearest of
you to us are the most truthful of you in speech.
People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of
a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s
Apostle (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) but now there
are no longer any new revelations. Now we judge
you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will
trust and favor the one who does good deeds in
front of us, and we will not call him to account
about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah
will judge him for that; but we will not trust or
believe the one who presents to us with an evil
deed even if he claims that his intentions were
good.
The best days we ever lived were by virtue of
patience, and if patience were to take the shape of
a man, he would be a noble and generous man.
Take yourself to account before you are taken to
account, weigh your actions before they are
weighed, and beautify yourself for the ultimate
presentation. On that day not the slightest secret
will be hidden.
It was Sayyiduna Umar’s daily routine to visit the
homes of soldiers who were on the battlefield and
ask their womenfolk if they had to make any
purchases from the market, and he would do it for
them. They would send their maids and Sayyiduna
Umar would make the purchases and hand over to
them. When a messenger came from the battlefield,
bringing letters from soldiers, the Caliph would
himself deliver them at their homes and tell them
the messenger would return on such and such date,
and they should keep their letters ready by that
time, He would himself supply paper, pen, and ink,
and when there was no literate person in a family,
he would himself sit outside the door and write to
their dictation.
There is no goodness in you if you do not say ‘Fear
Allah’ and there is no goodness in us if we do not
listen.
When Sayyiduna Umar appointed anyone as a
governor, he wrote down for him a covenant to
which a group of muhajirs (up to ten in number)
bore witness. The conditions and terms were: He
would not ride a workhorse, not eat luxurious food,
not wear fine garment and not shut his door to the
needy. If he did any of these things then he was
liable to punishment.
Lower your gaze from the world and turn your
heart away from it.
I will inform you about what is lawful for me from
the wealth of Allah: An outfit for the winter, an
outfit for the summer, mount that I can ride upon
for Hajj and Umrah, and food for my family, such
as given to a man from the Quraish who is neither
the richest nor the poorest among them. I am
simply a man among the Muslim; I go through
what they go through.
Allah never obliterates evil with evil, but He erases
evil with goodness.
O Allah, you indeed know that I eat only my food,
that I wear only my own clothing, and that I take
only what is rightfully mine.
The death of a thousand worshipers is easier to
bear than the death of a scholar who has
knowledge of what Allah has permitted and
forbidden.
Lo! By Allah, if I remain alive to help the widows
from the people of Iraq, I will leave so much for
them that they will never need to ask for help from
any ruler who comes after me.
Beware of bribery, and of ruling based on your
desires.
Do not be fooled by one who recites the Qur’an. His
recitation is but speech, but look to those who act
according to it.
Once Sayyiduna Umar was in his garden, when
coming back, he found that the people had
performed the Asr Prayer. Thereby, he said, ‘We
will surely return to Allah! I missed the Asr Prayer
in congregation. May you witness that I gave my
garden in charity to the needy so as to expiate
what Umar had done.
The most beloved of people to me is he that points
out my flaws to me.
Learn knowledge and teach it to the people. Learn
how to have yourselves an aura of dignity and
peace. Be humble to those that have taught you
knowledge, and be humble to those that you have
taught knowledge. And do not be haughty scholars;
otherwise, your knowledge will not rise due to your
ignorance.
O Allah, if You have written me down as being
someone who is miserable, then erase that for me;
and instead write me down as being happy. For
indeed, You erase whatever You wish, and You
write down and uphold .
The Islam of Sayyiduna Umar was a victory , his
migration [to Madinah] was a triumph, and his
caliphate was a mercy . I remember the time when
we were not able to pray or perform tawaf around
the Ka’bah. That was before Sayyiduna Umar
embraced Islam. After he embraced Islam, we
fought against them until they left us alone; and
thus we began to be able to pray .
Know that every habit comes by getting used to it.
Get used to being patient and doing good. Be
patient against whatever befalls you. It will make
you fear Allah.
Never think ill of the word that comes out of your
believing brother’s mouth, as long as you can find
a good excuse for it.
Dedicate yourself to remembering Allah, for
remembering Allah is a cure. And beware of
remembering people, for the act of remembering
people is a disease.
By Allah! If I had gold equal to the earth, I would
have ransomed myself with it from the punishment
of Allah.
Each day is proclaimed, ‘So and so has died!’ And
with no doubt it will be said one day, ‘Umar died.’
The 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 God-
fearing and whoever loses his God-fearing is
spiritually dead.
Beware of filling your stomachs with food and
drink, for it is harmful to the body and causes
sickness and laziness in performing prayers. Be
moderate in both food and drink, for that is
healthier for your bodies and furthest removed
from extravagance. Allah will hate the fat man (one
who revels in a life of luxury), and a man will not
be condemned until he favours his desires over his
religion.
During the year of the Ashes (drought and famine),
Sayyiduna Umar ibn Al-Khattab’s stomach would
make rumbling sound. He forbade himself from
eating Ghee, and so he would eat olive oil. And he
would poke his stomach with his fingers and say,
‘Rumble as much as you want, for indeed, I will
feed you nothing other than this until the situation
of the people improves.
Strive to listen to what comes out of the mouth of
people who are obedient to Allah. Listen to what
they have to say, for indeed, truth things are made
manifest to them.
On one particular Friday, Sayyiduna Umar did not
come out to Friday prayer on time; and since he
was to deliver the Friday sermon the people had to
wait until he came out to them. When Sayyiduna
Umar finally did come out to them, he came out to
them, he apologized, explaining that, ‘I was
prevented from coming out because this garment I
am wearing was being washed; and I own no other
outfit.’
After Sayyiduna Umar Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu
became Khalifah of the Muslim Nation, he was
once seen delivering a sermon while wearing a
lower garden that was patched in 12 different
places.
Help me against myself by enjoining good,
forbidding evil, and sincerely advising me.
O Allah, I am indeed harsh, so make me gentle; I
am weak, so make me strong; and I am miserly, so
make me generous.
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