this as well,’ whereupon the man would reply, ‘Everything I have related to you is true, except for what you ordered me to leave out.’

Ibn Masʿūd said, “Whenever the righteous are mentioned, make room for ʿUmar, for ʿUmar was the most knowledgeable among us of the Book of Allah and the most learned in the religion of Allah.”

Ibn Masʿūd also said, “If ʿUmar’s knowledge were placed on one side of the scales and the knowledge of all the living people on earth on the other, ʿUmar’s knowledge would outweigh theirs.”

Shumr transmitted from Hudhayfah who said, “It was as though all people’s knowledge had been hidden away in a hole along with ʿUmar.”

Ibn ʿUmar said, “ʿUmar learned Surah al-Baqarah in twelve years, and when he had mastered it he slaughtered a camel in celebration.”

Al-ʿAwwām ibn Ḥawshab reported that Muʿāwiyah said, “Abu Bakr neither sought the world nor did it seek him. The world sought ʿUmar, yet he did not seek it. As for us, we have rolled about in it back and belly.”

ʿIkrimah ibn Khālid and others related that Hafsa, ʿAbd Allāh, and others spoke to ʿUmar, saying, “If only you would eat good food, it would give you greater strength to uphold the truth.” He asked, “Is this the view of all of you?” They replied, “Yes.” He said, “I know your sincerity, but I left my two companions upon a clear path; if I leave their path, I shall never catch up with them in the final abode.”

He added, “A year of hardship befell the people, and during that entire year I ate neither clarified butter nor fat meat.”

Ibn Abī Mulaykah said: ʿUtbah ibn Farqad spoke to ʿUmar about his food, and ʿUmar responded, “Woe to you! Shall I enjoy my good things during my worldly life and take my pleasure in them now?!”

Mubarak reported from al-Hasan: ʿUmar entered upon his son ʿĀṣim while he was eating