Question

What is the status of this narration

عن ابن الزبير، قال: قال ابن الخطاب، إن لله عبادا يميتون الباطل بهجره، ويحيون الحق بذكره، رغبوا فرغبوا، ورهبوا فرهبوا، خافوا فلا يأمنون، أبصروا من اليقين ما لم يعاينوا فخلطوه بما لم يزايلوه، أخلصهم الخوف، فكانوا يهجرون ما ينقطع عنهم لما يبقى لهم، الحياة عليهم نعمة، والموت لهم كرامة، فزوجوا الحور العين، وأخدموا الولدان المخلدين

Sayyiduna ‘Umar ibnul Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said:

“There are certain servants of Allah who extinguish falsehood by abandoning it [i.e., not speaking about it] and revive the truth by speaking about it. They were given encouragement and became desirous, they were cautioned and took heed. They fear and do not feel safe. They had conviction on what they could not see. Fear has allowed them to be faithful, thus they abandoned what will soon separate from them [i.e., the world] in favour of what will remain eternally [i.e., the Hereafter]. Life for them is a blessing, death for them is an honour, they will be married to the Maidens of Jannah (Hur) and eternal youths will serve them.”

Answer

Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in Hilyatul Awliya. The narration is corroborated and is therefore acceptable.

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1, pg. 55)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar