The Desire of Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to Meet Allah Ta‘ala with the Actions of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)

Hazrat ‘Ali’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) deep love for Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) could be gauged from the following incident. In this incident, besides Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) informing the ummah of the high and lofty position of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he also expressed the desire to meet Allah Ta‘ala with the actions of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hence, we find that Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) greatly loved Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) during his lifetime and even after his demise. He held him in the highest esteem and regarded him to be the greatest leader of this ummah after Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) mentions the following incident:

I was present on the occasion when Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was martyred and was placed on the bier. People began to throng around his body. While waiting for his body to be raised and taken for burial, they were reciting durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and making du‘aa for Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Suddenly, I found a person behind me holding onto my shoulder. When I turned to see who it was, I saw that it was none other than Hazrat ‘Ali (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). While looking at the body of Hazrat ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he said, “O ‘Umar! May Allah Ta‘ala shower His special mercy on you!” He then said, “At this time, there is no person whose actions are more beloved to me, and which I wish to meet Allah Ta‘ala with, more than your actions! I take an oath by Allah! I have conviction that Allah Ta‘ala will join you with your two companions, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). You were always with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) throughout your life. Hence, I would often hear Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) saying, ‘I went to a certain place with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. I entered a certain place with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. I left a certain place with Abu Bakr and ‘Umar.’” (Saheeh Bukhaari #3685)^[1]

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us with the true love of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and his illustrious Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), and make us follow in their footsteps.

[1]ابن عباس، يقول: وضع عمر على سريره فتكنفه الناس، يدعون ويصلون قبل أن يرفع وأنا فيهم، فلم يرعني إلا رجل آخذ منكبي، فإذا علي بن أبي طالب فترحم على عمر، وقال: ما خلفت أحدا أحب إلي أن ألقى الله بمثل عمله منك، وايم الله إن كنت لأظن أن يجعلك الله مع صاحبيك، وحسبت إني كنت كثيرا أسمع النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: «ذهبت أنا وأبو بكر، وعمر، ودخلت أنا وأبو بكر، وعمر، وخرجت أنا وأبو بكر، وعمر