…Qudama argued, “Allah the Exalted has said, ‘There is no sin on those who believe and do righteous deeds concerning what they have consumed, so long as they are God-fearing and believe … .’” ʿUmar retorted, “Your interpretation is wrong; once you are truly God-fearing you avoid whatever Allah has made unlawful.” ʿUmar then turned to the people and asked, “What do you think about flogging Qudama?” They replied, “We do not think you should flog him while he is ill.” So he delayed the matter for some days. One morning, having resolved to carry out the punishment, he asked again, “What is your view on flogging Qudama?” They said, “We do not think you should flog him while he is weak.” ʿUmar answered, “I would rather meet Allah beneath the lashes than meet Him with this crime hanging on my neck. Bring me a proper whip.” He ordered Qudama to be brought and had him flogged. ʿUmar then avoided Qudama and would not speak to him. He set out for the pilgrimage while Qudama accompanied him, both still estranged. On their return they camped at al-Suqya, where ʿUmar slept and then awoke saying, “Quickly, bring Qudama to me! By Allah, I have just seen someone who said: ‘Set Qudama right, for he is your brother.’” They hurried to fetch him, but he refused to come; ʿUmar therefore ordered that, if he refused again, they should drag him to him. When Qudama was brought, ʿUmar spoke to him and asked Allah to forgive him, and that was the beginning of their reconciliation. Al-Bayhaqi also transmitted this report through the same chain in his Sunan, 8/316; all its narrators are trustworthy. (1) Reported by ʿAbd al-Razzaq, no. 17075; see also al-Istiʿab, 9/150. (2) For the account of his flogging, see al-Bukhari, 12/56, Book of Blood-Money, chapter “Beating with palm-branches and sandals”; also Usd al-Ghaba, 5/352, and al-Isaba, 10/179. (3) Ibn Saʿd, 3/1/291–292. (4) Reported by al-Hakim, 3/379, and by Ibn Saʿd, 3/1/292.