I saw `Umar bin Al-Khattab (when he was stabbed) saying, "O `Abdullah bin `Umar! Go to the
mother of the believers Aisha and say, `Umar bin Al-Khattab sends his greetings to you,' and request
her to allow me to be buried with my companions." (So, Ibn `Umar conveyed the message to `Aisha.)
She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself but today I prefer him (`Umar) to myself (and
allow him to be buried there)." When `Abdullah bin `Umar returned, `Umar asked him, "What (news)
do you have?" He replied, "O chief of the believers! She has allowed you (to be buried there)." On
that `Umar said, "Nothing was more important to me than to be buried in that (sacred) place. So, when
I expire, carry me there and pay my greetings to her (`Aisha ) and say, `Umar bin Al-Khattab asks
permission; and if she gives permission, then bury me (there) and if she does not, then take me to the
graveyard of the Muslims. I do not think any person has more right for the caliphate than those with
whom Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) was always pleased till his death. And whoever is chosen by the
people after me will be the caliph, and you people must listen to him and obey him," and then he
mentioned the name of `Uthman, `Ali, Talha, Az-Zubair, `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf and Sa`d bin Abi
Waqqas.
By this time a young man from Ansar came and said, "O chief of the believers! Be happy with Allah's
glad tidings. The grade which you have in Islam is known to you, then you became the caliph and you
ruled with justice and then you have been awarded martyrdom after all this." `Umar replied, "O son of
my brother! Would that all that privileges will counterbalance (my short comings), so that I neither
lose nor gain anything. I recommend my successor to be good to the early emigrants and realize their
rights and to protect their honor and sacred things. And I also recommend him to be good to the Ansar
who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith. He should accept the good of the
righteous among them and should excuse their wrongdoers. I recommend him to abide by the rules
and regulations concerning the Dhimmis (protectees) of Allah and His Apostle, to fulfill their
contracts completely and fight for them and not to tax (overburden) them beyond their capabilities."
Narrated by Narrated `Amr bin Maimun Al-Audi:
Context
This hadith recounts an important moment where Umar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) expressed his desire to be buried next to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Abu Bakr. His request highlights the significance of community and companionship in Islam, as well as the respect for the Prophet's (ﷺ) legacy.
Modern Application
Today, this hadith reminds us of the importance of community and honoring those who have contributed to our faith. It encourages Muslims to build strong relationships and support one another in their spiritual journeys.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community Responsibility and Funeral Rites because it emphasizes the importance of community bonds and the respect given to the deceased.
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah. Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."
Prescribed for you when death approaches [any] one of you if he leaves wealth [is that he should make] a bequest for the parents and near relatives according to what is acceptable - a duty upon the righteous.
The Prophet is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. And those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah than the [other] believers and the emigrants, except that you may do to your close associates a kindness [through bequest]. That was in the Book inscribed.
And whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger - those will be with the ones upon whom Allah has bestowed favor of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions.
The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and, when they are [meeting] with him for a matter of common interest, do not depart until they have asked his permission. Indeed, those who ask your permission, [O Muhammad] - those are the ones who believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission for something of their affairs, then give permission to whom you will among them and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
This hadith is #1346 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Funerals (Al-Janaa'iz). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Amr bin Maimun Al-Audi:.