Question
Is this narration authentic:
أخرجه ابن أبي شيبة في مصنفه: حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ ، عَنِ الْعَوَّامِ ، عَنْ إبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَجُلٌ عِنْدَ عُمَرَ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْقَلِيلِ ، قَالَ ، فَقَالَ : عُمَرُ : مَا هَذَا الَّذِي تَدْعُو بِهِ ؟ فَقَالَ : إنِّي سَمِعْت اللَّهَ يَقُولُ : وَقَلِيلٌ مِنْ عِبَادِي الشَّكُورُ فَأَنَا أَدْعُو أَنْ يَجْعَلَنِي مِنْ أُولَئِكَ الْقَلِيلِ ، قَالَ : فَقَالَ : عُمَرُ : كُلُّ النَّاسِ أَعْلَمُ مِنْ عُمَرَ.
Answer
The chain is slightly weak due to the narrator between between Ibrahim At Taymi (a Tabi’i) and Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu’anhu) being omitted (inqita’).
However, the narration is suitable, despite its slight weakness as it doesn’t entail any aspect pertaining to the rules of Islam (ahkam).
Translation
Ibrahim At Taymi (rahimahullah) said, a man said the following du’a by Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu): ‘Allahumaj ‘alni minal qalil’ (O Allah make me from the few).
Sayyiduna ‘Umar asked what is this du’a that you are reciting? He replied, I heard Allah Ta’ala say [in the Quran], ‘And very few of My servants are grateful’ so I am making du’a that I be from those few.
Sayyiduna ‘Umar commented [in humility]: Everybody else is more knowledgeable than ‘Umar.
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 30128)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar