Question

Please mention the reference of this incident?

استعمل عمر رضي الله عنه رجلا من بني أسد على عمل فدخل ليسلم عليه فأتى عمر ببعض ولده، فقبله فقال له الأسدي: أتقبل هذا يا أمير المؤمنين؟ فوالله ما قبلت ولدا لي قط، فقال عمر رضي الله عنه: فأنت والله بالناس أقل رحمة، لا تعمل لي عملا أبدا فرد عهده

 

Answer

Imam Hannad ibn Sariy has recorded this incident in Kitabuz Zuhd. Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar incident in his Al-Adabul Mufrad.

(Kitabuz Zuhd, 1335, Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 99)

 

Translation

‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) appointed a person from the Banu Asad as a [minister]. He entered to greet him. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) had brought his child and kissed him. This person from Banu Asad said [out of astonishment], ‘Are you kissing this child O Amirul Mu’minin? By Allah! I have never kissed any of my children.’ Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘In that case you will have even less mercy over the people and therefore can never be under my employment.’ ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then dismissed him.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar