Umar Continues To Hit Women Post Conversion - Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal & other Sunni Sources

Narrated Yazid from Hemad Ibn Salama from Alee Ibn Zaid from Yusuf Ibn Mehran from Ibn Abbas who said: 'When Uthman Ibn Madh’oon died, a woman said: "Blessed you are!" The Messenger of Allah (saw) looked at her annoyingly and said: "How do you know?!" She said: "O Messenger of Allah (saw) he was your knight and companion," whereupon he (saw) said: "By Allah, I am the Messenger of Allah and I do not know what will happen to me," and when Zainab daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw) died, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Join our pious friend the good one, Uthman Ibn Madh‘oon," whereupon the women started to cry, then Umar started to beat them with his whip, so the Messenger of Allah (saw) took his hand and said: "Leave them O Umar!" And then said to the women: "Do cry, but be careful not to whoop like Satan!" He continued: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan."

Footnote: This Hadeeth is 'Saheeh' (Authentic!)

Source: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Vol 2, Page # 530 - 531.

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal:

When Ruqayyah daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw) died, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Join our good friend, Uthman Ibn Madh‘oon," whereupon the women started to cry. Then Umar started to beat them with his whip, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Let them cry!" And then said to the women: "But be careful not to whoop like Satan!" And then continued: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan." And then the Messenger of Allah (saw) sat to the side of the grave and Faatimah (s.a) was beside him crying, so the Messenger of Allah (saw) wiped the eyes of Faatima (s.a) with his garment, because of his mercy upon her.

Footnote: This Hadeeth is 'Saheeh' (Authentic!)

Source: Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. Vol. 3, Pg. # 345 - 346.

There exists criticism regarding one of the sub-narrators, 'Alee bin Zaid bin Jadaan' with scholars having differences in opinions. Some have deemed him authentic, while others have deemed him weak. Ahmad Mohammmed Shakir has graded these narrations as Saheeh (Authentic). Ahmad Ibn Hanbal believed these narrations to be authentic and thus included it into his authentic works.
Tahir al-Dimashqi:

سند الإمام أحمد بن حنبل مع انه التزم الصحيح بمسنده

"Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal although he commited himself to record Saheeh in his book."

Source: Tawjeeh Al-Nazar. Pg. # 154.

 Muhammad bin Umar Al-Madini:
قد احتاط فيه اسنادا ومتنا ولم يورد فيه إلا ما صح عنده
"He (Ahmad bin Hanbal), was careful with the chain and the content, hence he only recorded what is authentic according to him."

Source: Khasa'is Musnad Ahmad. Pg. # 34 - 35.

Al-Albani:
Hanbal Ibn Ishaq said: 'Our uncle (Ahmad) gathered us, me, Saleh and Abdullah. He taught us "Al-Musnad" and nobody else heard it in its complete form except us. And he (i.e. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal) said: "This book is what I compiled and picked from more that seven hundred and fifty thousand Hadeeths, whenever the Muslims argue about a Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah (saw) you should turn to this book, if you find it in this book then it is true, and if not then it is not true."
(Al-Albani says): 'This is what Al-Hafiz Al-Madini in "Al-Khasaes" and Ibn Al-Jawzi in "Manaqib Imam Ahmad" have narrated through two chains from Hanbal, so it is firm and Saheeh 'Authentic.'
Source: Al-Zaab Al-Ahmad. Pg. # 12. 

 

Al-Shawkani:

Narrated from ibn Abbas who said: When Zainab daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw) died, the women started to cry, then Umar started to beat them with his whip, and then the Messenger of Allah (saw) held Umar by his hand and said: "Leave them O Umar!" And then said to the women: "But be careful not to whoop like Satan!" And then said: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan." It is narrated by Ahmad.

The narration is through Ibn Abbas, Alee Ibn Zaid is in it, there is some discussion about him, and he is Trustworthy, and Al-Hafiz (Dhahabi) has pointed to this Hadeeth and he is silent about it.

Source: Nayl Al-Awtaar of Al-Shawkani. Vol. 5, Pg. # 197.

Al-Aynee:

There is another Hadeeth from Ibn Abbas narrated by Aboo Dawood Al-Tialisi that he said: 'The women started to cry when Ruqayyah died, Umar started to prevent them, and then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Leave them O Umar!" And then he said to the women: "But be careful not to whoop like Satan!" and then said: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan." And then the Messenger of Allah (saw) sat to the side of the grave and Bibi Faatimah (s.a) was beside him crying, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) wiped the tears off her face with his hand or his garment.

Source: Umdatul Qari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Vol. 8, Pg. # 108-109.

Al-Salihi Al-Shaami:

Aboo Dawood Al-Tialisi and Ahmad and Ibn Abi Shayba narrated from Ibn Abbas who reported: 'The women started to cry when Ruqayyah died, Umar started to prevent them or beat them, and in another narration‚ then Umar started beating them with his whip and the Messenger of Allah (saw) took his hand and said': "Leave them!" And then he said to the women: "Be careful not to whoop like Satan! When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan." Then Faatimah (s.a) returned to the side of the grave and she was crying whereupon the Messenger of Allah (saw) wiped the tears off her face with his hand or with his garment.

Source: Sobol Al-Hoda Wa Rashad. Vol. 8, Pg. # 477.

Al-Haithami:

When Zainab (s.a) daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw) died, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Join our good friend, Uthman Ibn Madh'oon," the women started to cry, then Umar started to beat them with his whip, and then the Messenger of Allah (saw) held Umar by his hand and said: "Stop O Umar!" And then said to the women: "But be careful not to whoop like Satan!" And then said: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan."

It is narrated by Ahmad, Alee Ibn Zaid is in it, there is some discussion about him, and he is 'Thiqa' Trustworthy, and in another narration he says: "And then the Messenger of Allah (saw) sat to the side of the grave and Faatimah (s.a) was beside him crying, whereupon the Messenger of Allah (saw) wiped the tears off her face with his garment" because of his mercy upon her.

Source: Majmahul Zawahid of Al-Haithami. Vol. 3, Pg. # 81.

Al-Mawardi Al-Basri:

Ibn Abbas has reported: When Ruqayyah the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saw) died, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "Join our good friend, Uthman Ibn Madh'oon." The women started to cry, then Umar started to beat them with his whip, and then the Messenger of Allah (saw) held Umar by his hand and said: "Stop O Umar!" And then said to the women: "But be careful not to whoop like Satan!" And then said: "When the eye weeps and the heart becomes sad for a person, it is from Allah the Almighty and of His mercy, and what comes from the hand and the tongue it is from the Satan." Ibn Abbas said: "And Faatimah (s.a) was crying beside the grave, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) wiped the tears from her face with his garment."

Source: Al-Hawi Al-Kabir Fi Fiqh Al-Shafi. Vol. 3, Pg. # 68.

Ibn Hajar:

(About women in attendance at a funeral) what Ibn Abi Shayba has narrated is a proof, he has narrated it through Muhammad Ibn Amr Ibn Ata from Abi Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (saw) was in a funeral and Umar saw a women who cried. Umar shouted at her and the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O Umar leave her alone!"
It is also narrated by Ibn Majah and Al-Nisa'i in this form, and they also have narrated this Hadeeth through another chain through Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ata from Salama ibn Al-Azraq from Abi Huraira and it’s narrators are 'Thiqh' Trustworthy.
Source: Fathul Bari Sharh Saheeh Al-Bukhari. Vol. 4, Pg. # 18 - 19.

The following are what Ibn Abi Shayba, Al-Nisa'i, Ibn Majah and others have narrated:
Ibn Abi Shayba:

Narrated Affan from Wahib Ibn Urwa from Wahab Ibn Kaisan from Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ata from Salama Ibn Al-Azraq from Abi Huraira who said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) was at a funeral in which the women were crying, and myself and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab were there, so Umar rebuked the women who were crying, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O son of Khattab leave them alone! Because the soul is afflicted, and the eye is tearful and it has not been a long time since (he/she) has died."

Source: Al-Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba. Vol. 4, Pg. # 644.

Al-Nisa'i:

Narrated Alee Ibn Hujr from Isma’eel Ibn Ja’far from Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Halhala from Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ata from Salama ibn Al-Azraq who said: I heard Abi Huraira saying: "Someone from the family of the Prophet (saw) died, so the women gathered and were crying, then Umar chased them out and prevented them from doing so, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O Umar leave them alone! Because the eye is tearful and the heart is afflicted and it is not a long time that (he/she) has died."

Source: Sunan Al-Nisa'i Sharh Al-Suyuti. Vol. 4, Pg. # 318.

  

Ibn Majah:

Narrated Aboo Bakr ibn Abi Shayba and Alee Ibn Muhammad who both said: narrated Wakee from Hisham Ibn Urwa from Wahab Ibn Kaisan from Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ata from Abi Huraira who said: The Messenger of Allah (saw) was at a funeral, then Umar saw a women and shouted at her, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O Umar leave her alone! Because the eye is tearful and the heart is afflicted and it is not a long time that (he/she) has died."

Explanation of Al-Sindi: In Al-Fath Al-Bari said: 'It’s narrators are 'Thiqh' (Trustworthy!)

Source: Sunan Ibn Majah. Vol. 2, Pg. # 260.

Al-Hakim With The Attestation of Al-Dhahabi:

Narrated Aboo Bakr Ahmad Ibn Ibraheem Al-Faqih Al-Isma’eeli from Aboo Ja’far Muhammad Ibn Abdullah Al-Hadhrami from Aaron Ibn Ishaq Al-Hamdani from Abdat ibn Sulaiman from Hisham Ibn Urwa from Wahab Ibn Kaisan from Muhammad ibn Amr from Abi Huraira who said: The Messenger of Allah went to a funeral and with him was Umar. When Umar heard the women crying, so he rebuked them, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O Umar leave them! Because the eye is tearful and the heart is afflicted and it is not a long time that (he/she) has died."

Al-Hakim: This Hadeeth is Authentic by the criteria of Bukhari and Muslim and they have not narrated it. Al-Dhahabi in Al-Talkhees: 'Authentic by their criteria (i.e. Bukhari and Muslim).

Source: Al-Mustadrak Al-Hakim. Vol. 1, Pg. # 537.

Al-Dhahabi:

Ibn Jarij reported, narrated Hisham Ibn Urwa from Wahab Ibn Kaisan from Muhammad ibn Amr that Salama ibn Al-Azraq reported to him: While he was sitting with the son of Umar, a corpse was carried and the women were crying, so the son of Umar reproached the act and rebuked the women, then Salama said: "Do not say this, because I witnessed Aboo Huraira and heard him when a woman from Kana’en died and we bore witness that Marwan had given orders to chase out those women who were crying, when Aboo Huraira said: "Leave them Aba Abdulmalik, because the Messenger of Allah (saw) was at a funeral in which the women were crying, and me and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab were with him, so Umar rebuked the women who were crying on the funeral, then the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "O son of Khattab leave them alone! Because the soul is afflicted, and the eye is tearful and it is not a long time that (he/she) has died." Then the son of Umar asked: "Did you hear that?" Salama said: "Yes!" Then the son of Umar said: "So Allah and his Messenger know best."

Al-Dhahabi says: Ahmad has narrated it, from Abdulrazaq from Ibn Jarij and it’s narrators are 'Thiqh' (Trustworthy), and Al-Nisa'i and Ibn Majah also narrated some part of it through Muhammad Ibn Amr Ibn Halhala from Muhammad ibn Amr ibn Ata, from them through Hemad ibn Salama and from him Hisham.

Source: Tanqih Al-Tahqeeq. Vol. 1, Pg. # 321 - 322.

{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ}

{O you who believe, do not proceed ahead of Allah and His Messenger, and fear Allah. Surely Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing} 

Holy Qu'raan {49:1}

If an individual regards Allah (swt) as his Lord, accepts Allah's Messenger (saw) as his guide and leader and is true in his belief, an attitude in which he passes his own judgements, gives his own independent opinions/views on matters without referring them to Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw) can never be adopted. Taking precedence of ones own views/opinions above that of Allah (swt) and His Messenger is one in which would lead mankind astray for it has been revealed in the Holy Qur'aan:

{وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلاَ مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْراً أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـلاً مُّبِيناً }

{It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error} 

Holy Qu'raan {33:36}

Thus a believer should not decide upon matters themselves by using their own initiative, but should look for guidance in Allah's (swt) Book and His Prophet's Sunnah concerning those matters. Clearly, Umar believed he was above the decree of Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw). Had he truly believed he would never have carried out such actions!

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