Hadith of the four advices to Umar

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Part of a series on the Nikah Mut'ah – a discipline of Islamic marital jurisprudence
Topics
Nikah Mut'ah Muslim controversies Salaf prohibiting Salaf allowing Scholars prohibiting Scholars allowing An-Nisa, 24
Hadith regarding its legality
Initial practice Prohibition by Muhammad Sura Muminun Khaybar Hadith of Sabra Prohibition by Umar Four advices Speech of forbidding Wretched persons Imran ibn Husain Use after Muhammad Ibn al-Zubayr This box: view • talk • edit

A famous recorded oral tradition among Muslims (Arabic: Hadith) is about talk between a Muslim and Umar ibn al-Khattab, whom Sunni Muslims regard as the second successor to Muhammad (Arabic: Caliph).

Although the narration is prominently quoted and referred to, it is not given any formal name, in contrast to other hadith such as the Hadith of the pond of Khumm or the Hadith of Qur'an and Sunnah

1 Introduction
2 Narration
3 Muslim view
- 3.1 Sunni view
- 3.2 Shi'a view
4 References
5 See also

[edit] Introduction

To be able to undestand this narration, one must be familiar with the consepts presented in the Hadith of Umar's speech of forbidding Mut'ah

[edit] Narration

Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, a 10th century Sunni Islamic scholar writes in his famous history book:

A narration attributed to Muhammad ibn Ishaq from Yahya ibn Ma'in from Ya'qub ibn Ibrahim from Isa ibn Yazid ibn Da'b from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Zayd from Imran ibn Sawdah reports:

“

I said the morning prayer with ‘Umar, and he recited the Subhan chapter and one other. Then he left. I went off with him, and he asked if there was anything he could do. I told him there was, so he asked me to join him. I did so and, when he entered [his house], he gave me permission [to enter].

There he was on a bed with nothing on it. I told him I wanted to give him some advice. His reply was, "The person giving good advice is welcome anytime." I said, "Your community finds fault with you on four counts." (‘Umar) put the top of his whip in his beard and the lower part on his thigh. Then he said, "Tell me more."

I continued, "It has been mentioned that you declared the lesser pilgrimage forbidden during the months of the [full] pilgrimage. The Messenger of God did not do this, nor did Abu Bakr, though it is permitted." He answered, "It is permitted. If they were to perform the lesser pilgrimage during the months of the pilgrimage, they would regard it as being in lieu of the full pilgrimage, and (Mecca) would be a deserted place that year, and the pilgrimage would be celebrated by no one, although it is part of God's greatness. You are right."

I continued, "It is also said that you have forbidden temporary marriage, although it was a license (rukhsah) given by God. We enjoy temporary marriage for a handful [of dates], and we can separate after three nights." He replied, "The Messenger of God permitted it at a time of necessity. Then people regained their life of comfort. I do not know of any Muslim who has practiced this or gone back to it (after I forbade). Now anyone who wishes can marry for a handful [of dates] and separate after three nights. You are right."

I continued, "You emancipate a slave girl if she gives birth, without her master's [consent to] the emancipation." He replied, "I added one thing that is forbidden to another, intending only to do some good. I ask God’s forgiveness."

I continued, "There have been complaints of your raising your voice against your subjects and your addressing them harshly." He raised his whip, then ran his hand down it right to the end. Then he said, "I am Muhammad's traveling companion"- he [in fact] sat behind him at the raid on Qarqarat al-Kudr… ^[1]

”

[edit] Muslim view

Muslims view this hadith as notable and important since several controversial issues are dealt with.

[edit] Sunni view

Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.

[edit] Shi'a view

Shi'a often related this hadith while arguing for the validity of Nikah Mut'ah, since it is present in Tarikh al-Tabari, and in it, Umar is confronted with prohibiting Nikah Mut'ah, and he does not object with being attributed with the prohibition, nor does he suggest that it was Muhammad who forbade it. A Shi'a site, answering-ansar.org, summs it up ^[2]:

“

Umar states that people can engage in Temporary Marriage again. Interesting to see that the one who was talking to Umar, says that you forbade it but we still ENJOY this type of marriage! He uses the word "enjoy" and not "enjoyed" meaning that what is important to us is Allah's command and not Umar's, and thus we still do it. He also mentioned that Temporary Marriage is licensed by Allah and people are unhappy about this innovation of Umar.

It is interesting to note that Umar never attributed the prohibition of Mut'ah to the Prophet (s). They were others who did that after his death, mainly to justify what Umar did which was also being enforced in the reign of Uthman. Umar clearly mentioned that: "Mut'ah was permitted at the time of the Prophet and I prohibit it!" If it were really the Prophet (s) who cancelled Mut'ah, Umar would have said: The two Mut'ah were Halal and then became Haram at the time of the Prophet, and I am informing you about the second law set by the Prophet which cancelled the first.

”

[edit] References

^ Tarikh al-Tabari: The Conquest of Iran, translated by G. Rex Smith [State University of New York Press, Albany, 1994], Volume XIV, pp. 139-140, also, online Arabic scan
^ Answering-Ansar.org :: Mut'ah, a comprehensive guide