Umar's Wish

Umar (ra) was a visionary person, one of the strongest human beings this humanity has ever seen.
Once Umar(ra) was sitting amongst the sahabah who were having a fruitful discussion, as always.
He posed a question to all the Sahabas- Wish something from Allah (swt), so that Allah (swt) would give it to you. So what is it that you wish from Allah?

One of the sahabas said, "I wish Allah (swt) would give me tons of money so that I could spend it on charity". Another said, "I wish for tonnes of gold and silver equal to the mountains so that I can also spend it in His cause."
When it was Umar(ra)'s turn, he said:
I wish strong human beings like Abu Ubaidah ibn Al Jarrah, Talhah ibn Obaidallah, and Zubair ibn Awwam, so that they can help me spread the word of Allah (swt).

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Source: An audio lecture on How the Sahabas Spent their Ramadan by Ibrahim Negm on Young Muslims site, downloadable here.

To know one

A man came to Umar ibn al-Khattab and spoke in praise of another. Umar asked him: “Are you his nearest neighbor such that you know his goings and his comings?”

“No.”

“Have you been his companion on a journey so that you could see evidence of his good character?”

“No.”

“Have you had dealings with him involving dinars and dirhams [money] which would indicate the piety of the man?”

“No.”

“I think you saw him standing in the mosque muttering the Quran and moving his head up and down?”

“Yes.”

“Go, for you do not know him...”

And to the man in question, Umar said, “Go and bring me someone who knows you.”

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Source:quoted from Islam The Natural Way by Abdul Wahid Hamid, p. 66

Captives of Badr

About the fate of the captives of Badr, Abu Bakr and Umar held contrary views. Abu Bakr took the lenient view, while Umar took the sterner view.

After taking into consideration both the views, the Holy Prophet said: "Almighty God softens the hearts of some people-softer than milk. And He hardens the hearts of some people-harder than stone."

Turning to Abu Bakr who had counselled a lenient view, the Holy Prophet said: "Abu Bakr you are like Abraham who said, 'He who follows me is one of us, and he who disobeys me, then O God, You are gracious enough to forgive'. And Abu Bakr you are also like Jesus who said, 'If you punish them they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, You are All Powerful, Mighty and Wise."

Turning to Umar, the Holy Prophet said: Umar, you are like Noah who said, 'O God, do not leave on the earth a single unbeliever.' And Umar you are also like Moses who said, 'O God destroy their properties and harden their hearts so that they are not converted till they have suffered punishment."

The Holy Prophet accepted the advice of Abu Bakr and acted accordingly.

The following day, Umar visited the Holy Prophet, and saw that both the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr were weeping.

Umar addressing the Holy Prophet said: "What is it that makes you weep. Tell me, so that if there is any matter to be grieved over, I may also weep with you."

The Holy Prophet said: "Umar, there is nothing for you to be grieved over. On the other hand you should rejoice that God has upheld the view that you had taken about the captives of Badr, and admonished those who had taken a contrary view."

Umar's curiosity was awakened and he wanted know what exactly was the revelation. The Holy Prophet recited the verses that had been revealed:

"It is not fitting for an Apostle
That he should have prisoners of war,
Until he has thoroughly subdued the land.
Ye look on the temporal goods of this world,
But God looks to the Hereafter,
And God is Exalted, Mighty, and Wise." (8:67)

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Source: Khalifa Umar bin al-Khattab

Accountability

According to Thabit ibn Hajjaj, Umar ibn Khattab once said, "Weigh your actions before they are weighed, and reckon with yourself before you are reckoned with, for today's reckoning will be easier than tomorrow's. And prepare yourself for the great appearance (of the Judgement Day)".

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Source: Hilyat Al-Auliya, Pg 48, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Making the Qur'an ones greatest preoccupation

Whenever officials were to be despatched on missions, Umar would make them promise not to ride on Turkish horses, eat fine flour or wear silken clothes, and not to close their doors to the needy. He warned them that if they fell into any of these errors, they would be punished. Then, having extracted this promise from them, he would send them off. If Umar had to relieve some official of his duties, he would say to them:
"I did not appoint you to lord over the Muslims so that you could indulge in carnage and despoil them of their honour and their property. I appointed you to establish prayer, to distribute the spoils of war and to make just decisions concerning them"

[Al Bayhaqi, Al-Sunan Al Kubra]

Abu Hasin relates how Umar used to tell newly appointed officials to make the Qur'an their greates preoccupation and to place less emphasis on relating the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad: "And I am with you," he would add.

[Al Tabarani]

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Source: Pg 254, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Wealth can be of use in this world and the next

Umar entrusted some official duty to Abu Ubaydah ibn Jarrah for which he gave him one thousand dinars. The latter returned the sum, saying: "Ibn Khattab, I did this work, not for you, but for the sake of Allah; I will not, therefore, accept any payment." Umar then said to Abu Ubaydah: "When the Prophet used to send us on errands, he would recompense us, and if we showed reluctance to accept what he gave, he told us we ought not to demur as it would be of assistance to us in matters pertaining both to our worldly affairs and to our religion." On hearing this, Abu Ubaydah accepted what Umar offered him.

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Source: Al Bayhaqi, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Pg 198, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

A believer is satisfied, not by giving vent to his anger, but by controlling it

Said Umar: "For a servant of God, there is nothing sweeter than the swallowing of his own anger. Neither milk nor honey can be compared to it."

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Source: Ahmad, Musnad, Pg 188, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Refraining from subjecting people to inconvenience

During a pilgrimage, Umar ibn Khattab saw a leprous woman going round the Ka'bah. "Maiden of God", he said, "it would be better if you were to sit at home; people would not be troubled by your presence." (Malik). The woman did as she was bade, and sat at home. After some time, a passer-by told her of the death of Umar, who had been one to advice her to stay at home. "Now", said the man, "You can go out!"

The woman replied, "I did not obey him while he was alive only to disobey him now that he is dead."

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Source: Kanzul Ummal, Pg 244, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Patience

Umar (ra) said: 'We achieve the best living by Sabr"

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Source: Pg 289, Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (pbuh) by Imam Al Jauziyah

Market business rule

Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab said:
“No one who has not gained knowledge of our religion may enter our markets; otherwise, they will fall into usury whether they like it or not.”

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Source: Sharh Ihya’ `Ulum al-Din,Kitab al-Ilm

Constant fear of God

Umar bin Al Khattab once wrote a letter to Abu Musa Ash'ari, offering him this advice:

"Remain ever in fear of God; and learn the Book of God, for it is the source of all knowledge; for weary hearts, it is the freshness of spring".

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Source: Al-Dhahak, Pg 142, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Justice to all, even enemies

"If someone disobeys God in matters that concern you, the best thing to do in return is to obey God in matters that concern him." So said Umar ibn Khattab

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Source: Pg 104, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, Ibn Kathir Tafseer

On over-eating

Umar (ra) would encourage exercise, and was against obesity. He said:

'O people, beware of over-eating. Because it makes you lazy in your salah. And it makes your body weak. And it makes you unhealthy. And Allah dislikes the obese man. And you should be modest in your food. Because it is closer to righteousness, and further from excess; and makes you stronger in worshipping Allah. And you will perish when your desires become more likeable to you than Allah (or religion).'

Note: Obesity here refers to obesity caused by over-eating.

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Source: Umar ibn AlKhattab His Life & Times, Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki