Lives Of The Sahaba 52 - Abdullah Ibn-Umar

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi commences this video delving into the life and times of another great Sahaba,Abdullah Ibn Umar RA, the son of the second Caliph of Islam, Umar Ibn Al Khattab RA and Zaynab Bint Madhun. The most striking feature and noble trait that merited Ibn Umar RA was his generosity, asceticism and piety all encompassed into a magnanimous example of neutrality and unbiasedness. He could always face people with the absolute truth even when he was getting opposed in the wake of oppression with an unwavering attitude. His behaviour towards the Hujjaj is an example enough to prove this aspect of Ibn Umar RA. He was a man who considered wealth only a means to satisfy the bare necessities of life and never indulged in exuberance, extravagance and simplicity the estimated value of all his belongings stood at no more than a hundred dirhams, which showed that anything beyond a meagre value was instantly given away as charity. An interesting illustration of his simplicity is elucidated in the following incident. One of his acquaintances from Khurasan once brought him a fine and elegant thawb:"I have brought this thawb for you from Khurasan," he said. "It would certainly bring coolness to your eyes. I suggest that you take off these coarse clothes you have and put on this beautiful thawb.""Show it to me then," said Abdullah and on touching it he asked: "Is it silk?" "No, it is cotton," replied his friend.For a little while, Abdullah Ibn Umar RA was pleased. Then he pushed away the thawb and said: "No! I am afraid for myself. I fear that it shall make arrogant and boastful. And God does not love the arrogant boaster." Abdullah Ibn Umar RA participated in every battle starting from the Battle of Khandaq. Abdullah bin Umar RA had the most prestigious and coveted position in the wake of Tafsir, Fiqh and the Hadith. He has narrated 2630 hadiths,thus, entailing his dominance as the narrator of the most Hadiths second only to Abu Hurayrah RA. Abdullah Ibn Umar RA was once sleeping in the mosque when he dreamt that two angels took him to Hell and he began to say “I take refuge in Allah from Hell. I take refuge in Allah from Hell. I take refuge in Allah from Hell.Then an angel met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me.” Hafsa RA, who was married to the Prophet SAW narrated one of his dreams to the Prophet SAW who told her: "Abdullah is a good man. I wish he prayed the night prayers." Post that conversation, Abdullah Ibn Umar RA hardly sleep and spend most of his lifetime in prayers and fasting. Abdullah Ibn Umar left for his heavenly abode in 73 H at the age of 86 years.