greetings of peace—but do not call me the Commander of the Faithful, for today I am no longer the commander of the believers. Say instead: Umar ibn al-Khattab seeks permission to be buried alongside his two companions.’”

(He conveyed the greeting and asked permission to enter. He then entered and found her sitting and weeping. He said, “Umar ibn al-Khattab sends you greetings of peace (1) and seeks permission to be buried alongside his two companions.”) (2).

She said (3), “I had wanted that place for myself, but today (4) I shall give him preference over myself.”

When he returned, it was said, “Abd Allah ibn Umar has arrived.” Umar said (5), “Sit me up.” A man helped him sit up, and Umar asked, “What news do you have?”

He replied, “What you wished for, O Commander of the Faithful: she has granted permission.”

Umar said, “Praise be to Allah. Nothing was more important to me than that (6). When I die (7), carry me there. Then convey the greeting and say (8), ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab seeks permission to enter.’ If she grants me permission, take me in; but if she turns me away, take me back (9) to the Muslim cemetery.” He then related the remainder of the hadith.

Thus, the hadith itself shows that Umar knew that Allah’s Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—had died pleased with him, and that his subjects were pleased with him (10) and acknowledged that he had dealt justly with them. When Umar died, it was as though they had never suffered any calamity before the calamity of his death, so grievous was it to them.