Ibn Abbās said, “When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam, the polytheists said, ‘The Muslims have now become our equals in strength.’” Ibn Abbās also said, “When Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) embraced Islam, Gabriel descended to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, ‘O Muhammad, the inhabitants of heaven have rejoiced today at Umar’s acceptance of Islam.’”

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “O Allah, strengthen Islam through whichever of these two men is more beloved to You: Umar ibn al-Khattāb or Abū Jahl ibn Hishām.” The supplication was thus answered in Umar’s favor, because Allah, Mighty and Majestic, loved him.

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Allah, Mighty and Majestic, has placed the truth upon Umar’s tongue and in his heart.” He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said, “There used to be inspired men among the nations. If there is anyone of that kind in my nation, it is Umar ibn al-Khattāb.”

It is related from Anas ibn Mālik that Gabriel (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, “Convey greetings of peace to Umar and tell him that his anger is strength and his approval is justice.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) possesses so many virtues that recounting them would be lengthy, and we shall mention them elsewhere.

Then Alī (may Allah be pleased with him), while addressing the people of Kufa during his caliphate from the pulpit of Kufa—when no one had compelled him to make this statement and he feared no critic’s censure concerning Allah—said, “The best of this nation after its Prophet are Abū Bakr, then Umar.”