1392 — Umar ibn Ayyūb al-Saqatī and al-Hasan ibn Alī al-Jassās narrated to us, saying: Al-Hasan ibn Arafah narrated to us, saying: Abd Allah ibn Ibrāhīm al-Ghifārī narrated to us, from Abd al-Rahmān ibn Zayd ibn Aslam, from his father, from Ibn Umar, who said: The Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said, “Umar ibn al-Khattāb is the lamp of the people of Paradise.”

Muhammad ibn al-Husayn—may Allah have mercy on him—said: If someone asks, “What might be meant by the statement that he is ‘the lamp of the people of Paradise’?” he should be told—and Allah knows best:

A group had embraced Islam in Mecca before Umar did, and the polytheists subjected them to severe harm. Many of them concealed their Islam, while groups among them would gather around the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—who would teach them the Quran in secret, fearing for their safety. When ⦗1915⦘ Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—embraced Islam, Allah, Mighty and Majestic, granted the Muslims relief. They came out and openly professed their Islam. Through Umar’s embrace of Islam, Allah Most Generous gave the Muslims strength, the light of Islam shone brightly, and the Muslims’ hearts grew strong. They knew that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, had come to their defense and granted them relief, and that He would replace their former fear with security.

Have you not heard what Ibn Abbās said? “When Umar ibn al-Khattāb embraced Islam, the polytheists said, ‘They are now a match for us.’” Ibn Masūd said, “We have remained strong ever since Umar ibn al-Khattāb embraced Islam.” Ibn Abbās also related: “When Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—embraced Islam, Gabriel—peace be upon him—descended to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and said, ‘O Muhammad, the inhabitants of heaven rejoiced today at Umar’s embrace of Islam.’”

I say: Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—thus became the lamp of the people of Paradise by virtue of these qualities and other similar noble merits of his. Through his embrace of Islam, the light within their hearts shone brightly, and they gained strength. Ibn Masūd said, “We were unable to pray openly until Umar embraced Islam.”

This is our answer concerning the meaning of the Prophet’s words—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—“Umar ibn al-Khattāb is the lamp of the people of Paradise.”