Question

Did Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) have the following words engraved on his ring?

“Death is enough as an admonisher, O Umar”

Answer

Muhammad ibn Al Mutawakkil (rahimahullah) says, “It has reached me that the words ‘Death is enough as an admonisher, O Umar’ were engraved on the ring of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu)”

(Kitabud Dibaj of Abul Qasim Ishaq ibn Ibrahim Al Khuttali; Refer: Kanzul ‘Ummal, Hadith: 35818 and Tarikh Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 44, pg. 260)

Many Muhaddithun and Scholars have cited under the biography of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu), that these words were engraved on his ring. Among them are the following Scholars:

1. Imam Abu Nu’aym Al Asbahani (Ma’rifatus Sahabah, vol. 1, pg. 55)
2. Imam Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (Al Isti’ab, vol. 3, pg. 236)
3. Imam Ibn ‘Asakir (Tarikh Dimashq, vol. 44, pg. 260)
4. Imam Ibnul Jawzi (Talqihu Fuhumi Ahlil Athar, pg. 76)
5. ‘Allamah Muhibb At Tabari (Ar Riyadun Nadirah, pg. 447)
6. ‘Allamah Jamalud-Din Al Mizzi (Tahdhibul Kamal, vol. 21, pg. 323)
7. ‘Allamah Ibn Kathir (Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, vol. 7, pg. 264)
8. ‘Allamah Suyuti (Tarikhul Khulafa, pg. 244)
9. ‘Allamah ‘Ajluni (Kashful Khafa, vol. 2, pg. 131)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar