(Lessons from the Final Moments of ‘Umar [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] – Part Three)
During the final moments after Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was fatally stabbed, he sent his son Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) to the home of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha). Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) instructed him thus, “Say to her that ‘Umar conveys salaam. Do not say that Ameerul Mu-mineen conveys salaam, as today I am no longer Ameerul Mu-mineen (as I am about to pass away). Tell her that ‘Umar bin Khattaab requests permission to be buried alongside his companions, (Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam] and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]).”
(The area in which they were buried formed part of the home of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah [radhiyallahu ‘anha]. Hence, Sayyiduna ‘Umar [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] sought her permission to be buried there).
Following the instruction of his father, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) proceeded to the home of Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) where he found her sitting and crying (over the loss that the Ummah would suffer through the demise of Sayyiduna ‘Umar [radhiyallahu ‘anhu]). He conveyed the salaam of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to her and then said, “‘Umar requests permission to be buried with his companions.” Hearing the request, Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentioned, “I was hoping to be buried there myself (beside Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam], and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr [radhiyallahu ‘anhu], her father). However, I will today give preference to ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) over myself.”
When Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) returned, and mentioned that Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had granted permission for him to be buried alongside Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) further instructed his son saying, “After I pass away, carry my body (for the burial). Then ask Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) again by saying, ‘Umar requests permission to be buried with his companions.’ If she again grants permission, then bury me there. If not, then bury me in the cemetery of the Muslims.”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #3700)
Lessons:
1. Who would not desire the good fortune of being buried alongside Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)? Despite this being his ardent desire, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) considered it more important to ensure that Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was not inconvenienced or oppressed in the process. Hence, he insisted that the request be placed before Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) for a second time, after his demise, in case she had a change of heart or had initially acceded to his request as she found it difficult to refuse due to her respect for him.
2. Although Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) had the full right to decline the request of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), especially as she herself wished to be buried in that area, she had such respect and reverence for Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), as the senior in Deen, that she happily gave up her own right and gave preference to him over herself.