Abdullah ibn Umar
Abdullah ibn Umar ib Al Khattab, also known as Abu Abdur-Rahman, was one of the noble companions. He was born in Mecca during the early days of Islam, in the third year of prophethood. His mother was Zainab bint Maz'un, the sister of Uthman ibn Maz'un (may Allah be pleased with them), and his sister was Hafsah bint Umar (may Allah be pleased with her), one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was a tall man. His hair reached from the front of his head to his shoulders. He used to dye it with henna and always trimmed his mustache until his skin was visible.
The Islam of Abdullah ibn Umar and His Jihad
Abdullah ibn Umar embraced Islam while he was young, alongside his father, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them both). When the Muslims migrated to Medina, he migrated with them at the age of ten, not yet having reached maturity. At the Battle of Badr, when he was thirteen years old, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did not permit him to participate in jihad due to his young age. Similarly, at the Battle of Uhud, when he was fourteen, he did not participate due to his youth.
His first military expedition was the Battle of the Trench, followed by the conquest of Mecca. He then participated in the battles of Mu'tah, Yarmouk, Yamama, Qadisiyyah, and Jalula. He also took part in the conquest of Egypt and the African territories. However, he never participated in the civil wars that occurred during his time. He was even offered the caliphate during the reign of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), but he declined it. Similarly, he refused judicial positions, preferring instead to focus on seeking knowledge.
Abdullah ibn Umar's Knowledge and Narration of Hadith
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was renowned for his extensive knowledge and profound understanding of jurisprudence due to his close companionship with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his learning directly from him. He was the most knowledgeable among the companions regarding the rulings of Hajj, and people would consult him on their matters and judgments. He continued to issue legal opinions in the illuminated city of Medina for sixty years, yet he was cautious in issuing rulings only in matters he was knowledgeable about.
He was also one of the most prolific narrators of Prophetic traditions among the companions. He transmitted much knowledge from the Prophet (peace be upon him) and from Abu Bakr, his father Umar, Uthman, Ali (may Allah be pleased with them), and other prominent companions. Many of the Tabi'in and subsequent scholars narrated from him, such as Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib, Thabit al-Banani, Tawus, Al-Zuhri, Muhammad ibn Sirin, his freed slave Nafi', Mujahid, and many others. He had a unique Musnad compilation of hadiths containing two thousand six hundred and thirty hadiths. Additionally, he has numerous hadiths in Sahih al-Bukhari, estimated to be eighty-one hadiths, and in Sahih Muslim, he has thirty-one unique hadiths.
Virtues of Abdullah ibn Umar
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was raised in the household of one of the senior companions. He grew up in the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), from whom he learned a great deal, acquiring qualities that distinguished him. He possessed numerous virtues and merits, some of which are mentioned below:
He emulated the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) closely, striving earnestly to follow in his footsteps and trace his actions. He would sit where the Prophet sat and pray where he prayed. It is narrated that he sought shade under the trees where the Prophet had rested, watering them and lowering himself for their sake.
Despite his close association with the Prophet and extensive learning from him, he was extremely cautious in giving religious rulings. His fear of Allah Almighty prevented him from being lenient in issuing legal opinions. He was not conceited about his knowledge and if asked about something he did not know, he would not hesitate to say, "I do not know".
Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was devout and God-fearing, deeply affected by the Quran. He would be moved by any verse containing a threat or warning. It is reported that when the verse "Do they not consider themselves to be resurrected for a tremendous Day, The Day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds?" was recited to him, he wept bitterly until his beard became wet, and he fell unconscious.
He was indifferent to worldly possessions and harbored no desire for positions or wealth. When offered leadership or judicial roles, he refused.
He was steadfast and devoted to night prayers.
He was generous and compassionate towards the poor, sharing with them the bounties bestowed upon him by Allah Almighty.
He had a love for jihad and never hesitated to participate in expeditions and military campaigns during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the rightly guided caliphs.
He was eager for the unity of Muslims and detested division among them. He advocated obedience and adherence to the community. He never engaged in fighting against Muslims, never raised his weapon against a fellow Muslim, never rebelled against a Muslim leader, and never withheld payment of zakat.
The Death of Abdullah ibn Umar
It is reported that Al-Hajjaj sent a man to Abdullah ibn Umar with the intent to kill him using a spear tipped with poison. When Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) saw him, he fought back and stabbed him in the back of his foot. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) passed away, may Allah have mercy on him, as a result of the poison. He did not carry a weapon in a land where fighting was not permissible.
His death occurred at the end of the seventy-third year after the Hijra. He was either eighty-seven or eighty-five years old at the time of his passing. With his death, he became the last of the companions to pass away in Mecca. Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was buried in Mecca, in a place called Fakh, which in our time is known as the Zaher neighborhood, in the cemetery of the immigrants.
