‘Umar’s (radiyallahu ‘anhu) statement regarding hope and fear

Question

Is this correctly attributed to Umar radiyallahu anhu:

عن عمر بن الخطاب، قال: لو نادى مناد من السماء: أيها الناس، إنكم داخلون الجنة كلكم أجمعون إلا رجلا واحدا، لخفت أن أكون هو، ولو نادى مناد: أيها الناس، إنكم داخلون النار إلا رجلا واحدا، لرجوت أن أكون هو

 

Answer

Imam Abu Nu’aym (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration.

(Hilyatul Awliya, vol. 1 pg. 53)

 

The chain consists of a weak narrator as well as omission/s.

(Refer: Mizanul I’tidal, vol. 5 pg. 128, number: 9033)

 

Similar narrations have also been recorded as the statement of other pious predecessors.

(Refer: Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 73 pg. 376)

 

Translation

Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “If a caller from the sky had to announce, ‘O people! You are all going to enter Jannah with the exception of one person’ I fear that I be that exclusion and if a caller had to announce, ‘O people! You are all going to enter the fire with the exception of one person’ I have hope that I be that one person.'”

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar