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