Question

I was informed of an incident in which Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) told Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) soon after he accepted Islam, that I will be the first man to go to Jannah.

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked him how?

So he replied that before Islam, I was the one who gave you the most difficulity, which means my sins were the highest, and now that I have accepted Islam, all my sins have turned into good deeds/rewards, so now my good deeds are the highest, thus I will be the first one to enter Jannah. (To the closest effect)

Can Mawlana please provide a reference for this, and what is the state of its sanad if any?

As soon as I heard it, it came across as a bit strange to me, it was somehow against the character of Sayyiduna Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu), who is so famous for his fear of akhirah, to say this. If Mawlana could please check, this will be much appreciated. Jazakallah.

Answer

I have not come across such a narration in the famous books of Hadith and Seerah.

One should be careful when quoting such narrations.

It is the belief of the Ahlus Sunnah that Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiyallahu ‘anhu) is the most high ranked follower of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and as such, he has the highest amount of rewards to his credit.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,

Answered by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar