Ibn ‘Umar’s Devout Following of the Sunnah [Shaykh Muhammad ibn Aadam]

In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful…

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, the son of the second Caliph, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with them both), was known for his devout following of everything the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) did. Imaam Ibn Maajah reports that “Whenever he heard a hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), he would not do anything more than it, nor would he stop until fulfilling it (completely).” [1]

Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Alee ibn Aadam (may Allaah preserve him) [2] said:

From the benefits (of this report) is knowing how devout Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father) was in his following of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). He (may Allaah be pleased with him) was well known for that.

‘Abdullaah ibn Wahb narrated from Maalik, from someone [3] who told him that Ibn ‘Umar used to follow the order of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), trace his footsteps and show great concern for emulating his composure, so much so that some were concerned for his sanity because of his level of involvement in that.

Khaarijah ibn Mus’ab narrated that Moosaa ibn ‘Uqbah heard Naafi’ [the freed slave of Ibn ‘Umar] saying: “Had you seen how devoutly Ibn ‘Umar used to follow the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) you would have considered him insane!”

On the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, Naafi’ said that Ibn ‘Umar used to trace the footsteps of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), going to every place he prayed. The place where the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) took rest under a tree once, was a place Ibn ‘Umar used to maintain later on, watering the tree so it would not dry up.

Naafi’ said that after Ibn ‘Umar narrated the hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) requesting a certain door to be left for the women to use, Ibn ‘Umar refrained from using the door until he died.

These reports have all been mentioned by ath-Thahabee in his book, “as-Siyar“. [4]

Furthermore, at-Tirmithee collected a report from the narration of Saalih ibn Kaysaan, reporting from Ibn Shihaab, that Saalim, the son of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, told him that he heard a man from Shaam asking ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar about tamattu’, or combining Hajj and ‘Umrah (in one trip). ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said: “It is permissible.”

The man from Shaam said, “But your father had forbidden it!”

‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar said, “Don’t you see that if my father forbade something that was done by the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), do we follow the order of my father or do we follow the order of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace)?”

The man said, “Of course, the order of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).”

He replied, “It was something done by the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).” [5]

As-Sindee (may Allaah have Mercy on him) said, commenting on this report: Look at Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him and his father), how he contradicted his own father, whilst he knew that the hadeeth had reached his father who would not oppose it except upon evidence which he understood to be stronger! Despite this, he still gave a verdict in direct opposition to his father’s position, saying that his father’s position did not deserve to be taken.

Likewise, Saalim, the son of ‘Abdullaah (ibn ‘Umar) did something similar when he heard the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah about putting on perfume before wearing ihraam [ritual garments for Hajj and ‘Umrah] and before performing ifaadhah (one of the rites of Hajj). He abandoned the position of his own father and grandfather, saying: “The Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) has more right to be followed!”

Most of the people today have a different understanding. When a hadeeth comes to them which opposes the position of their imaam, they say: “This hadeeth probably reached the imaam, yet he only opposed it due to a stronger evidence he must have had.”

Ibn ‘Umar also narrated the hadeeth (which means), “Do not forbid the female slaves of Allaah from the masjids of Allaah.” [6] One of his children said to him: “As for us, we prevent them,” which caused Ibn ‘Umar to insult him with an insult the likes of which had not been heard, and thereafter refuse to speak to him until he died.

There are many other accounts of Ibn ‘Umar and his precise observance of the finest details of the Sunnahs recorded in the books of Hadeeth, something well known to the people of Hadeeth. End of the quote from as-Sindee.

And Allaah knows best regarding what is correct. To Him is the return and final abode. He is sufficient for us, what a great Protector. [End of the quote from Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Alee ibn Aadam] [7]

Translation by Moosaa Richardson

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Sunan Ibn Maajah (no.4)

[2] From the scholars of Hadeeth in Makkah, teacher at Daar al-Hadeeth and the Haram, known for his detailed explanations of the source books of Hadeeth, some of which are printed. His explanation of the Introduction to Sunan Ibn Maajah is one of our most important resources for the weekly class (in English) explaining this book. May Allaah preserve him.

[3] This is the narration of a mubham (unnamed) narrator, which makes this chain dha’eef (unauthentic), technically. However, the scholars do not apply the same stringent conditions when dealing with reports that do not relate something from the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).

[4] Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’ (3/213)

[5] Jaami’ at-Tirmithee (no.824)

[6] Ibn Maajah (no.16), which will be explained in our upcoming lessons in this series, in shaa’ Allaah. NOTE: This hadeeth was explained in detail in class #4.

[7] Mashaariq al-Anwaar al-Wahhaajah (1/100-101). Click here to learn more about this book.

13 thoughts on “Ibn ‘Umar’s Devout Following of the Sunnah [Shaykh Muhammad ibn Aadam]

  1. Moosa… You refused to publish the elegant video of the advice of Sh Rabee’ urging students of knowledge like yourself to focus on tafaseer and hadeeth.

  2. Oh son of Richardson,
    When Muslims reach out to you with love and willingness to hear you, you frown and fail to respond… Join Sh Albaani, Sh bin Baaz, Sh ibn Uthaymeen, Sh Saalih al Fawzaan, Sh Bilal Phillips… [message truncated by admin]

    • Try to understand that when you are on this level of ignorance, putting Bilal Philips in a list of major scholars in Islaam [!], it is very difficult for someone to find any benefit in your advice. Again, we apologize for the not publishing many of your comments, but we are afraid of being accountable for spreading harmful misguidance.

  3. Asalaamu ‘alaykum wa Rahmatullaah.

    BaarakAllaahu Feek, is there already a post of the poem by Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Alee Aadam [haafidhahullaahu ta`aala] on the seven companions [radiAllaahu `anhum ajma’een] who narrated the most?

    • wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaaatuh…

      المكثرون في رواية الخبر ### من الصحابة الأكارم الغرر
      أبو هريرة يليه ابن عمر ### فأنس فزوجة الهادي الأبر
      ثم ابن عباس يليه جابر ### وبعده الخدري فهو الآخر

      This is repeated often in the first lessons of the ‘Aqeedah of Ibn Maajah series on TROID, if you want to hear it pronounced properly.

  4. BarakAllahu feek, Brother Moosa. May Allah, the Exalted, elevate your status in the dunya and the akhira and May, Allaah, the Exalted, forgive you and grant you paradise.

    I appreciate the work you do on this website. Accessible, concise and reliable. Esp. for the people living in non-muslim areas. I benefit from the work that you do. :)

    JazakAllahu khairan.

    I love you for the sake of Allaah.

    P.S and btw… I believe there is a typo and it said Naafir’ instead of naafi’ (5th paragraph down… “On the authority of ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, Naafir”) – No harm done, Alhamdulilah.

  5. Assalaamu alaykum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuhu.
    In the third paragraph, it mentions:
    “Ibn ‘Umar also narrated the hadeeth (which means), “Do not forbid the female slaves of Allaah from the masjids of Allaah.” [6] One of his children said to him: “As for us, we prevent them,” which caused Ibn ‘Umar to insult him with an insult the likes of which had not been heard, and THEREAFTER REFUSE TO SPEAK TO HIM UNTIL HE DIED.”
    Where is this mentioned please?
    Baarak Allaahu feekum

  6. السلام عليكم

    Sometimes, when I leave off certain Sunnah acts (like the ones which are stressed & really virtuous), I feel almost like I’m committing a sin for leaving it off. Is this an okay feeling to have, or should I be worried?

    • وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله

      By definition, a recommended deed is that which earns reward when done (sincerely and correctly), but not punishable or sinful if left undone. However, a servant close to Allaah may feel sinful when leaving off recommended deeds when he was healthy and capable, since he has lost a great opportunity. And Allaah knows best. So long as this feeling of personal sin leads to good, like shunning heedlessness and gaining vigilance, there is nothing wrong with it. If it leads to despair and more neglect, then it is from the Shaytaan, from whom refuge with Allaah is sought. And Allaah knows best.

  7. Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa,

    A brother emailed me a doubt that I hope you can give a response for. The message is as followed:

    A concern I am having though, is that Tawheed seems to really, REALLY Glorify
    The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Suhhaba. I love the Prophet and Suhhaba
    immensely but find it concerning they seem to be Glorified nearly as much
    as ALLAH The ever exalted and majestic.

    I find this concerning because it reminds me of how much The Messiah Jesus Christ
    and the Apostles are Glorified in Christianity… [Comment abridged by admin]

    • Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah.

      In Kitaab at-Towheed, we study in detail about how we are not allowed to over-praise our Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), as done with the previous Prophets, so much so they were taken as objects of worship. Towheed is the exact opposite of glorifying the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) “as much as Allah” or anywhere near that! How truly strange is this “concern” coming from someone who mistakenly calls the Prophet “Holy”! Quite simply:

      Christians said Jesus was Allaah, and Allaah’s son. Exalted be Allaah! Muslims declare anyone who speaks like this about Muhammad to be a polytheist disbeliever outside of Islam.

      Christians call upon Jesus and consider him divine. Muslims declare anyone who speaks like this about Muhammad to be a polytheist disbeliever outside of Islam.

      Christians deified the apostles and “saints” and began calling upon them. Muslims declare anyone who does this with the Companions of Muhammad to be a polytheist disbeliever outside of Islam.

      Christians deify their religious leaders by following them in their legislation in opposition to their Book. Muslims classify those who legislate in opposition to the Revelation as taaghoot disbelievers.

      So from what angle do Muslims who respect, honor, and follow the Messenger sent to them resemble this or anything of the misguidance of the Christians?!

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