My previous post provided a glimpse of Khalifah ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil ‘Azeez’s method of training his children.
In the following paragraphs I would like to share the result of this nurturing.
The Historians mention that he had fifteen children, three of which were daughters. Each of them grew up to be obedient and pious.
The most accomplished of them was: ‘Abdul Malik (rahimahullah)
‘Umar (rahimahullah) says: “My son ‘Abdul Malik is most cherished to me from all my children.
The Son’s effect on the Father
Some Elders of that era said: “’It was the piety that ‘Umar saw in his son ‘Abdul Malik that lead ‘Umar to a pious life”
Hafidh Ibn ‘Asakir writes: “He was the child of a slave girl. He was pious and assisted his father as well as encouraged him to be just”
Immediately after becoming Khalifah, ‘Umar (rahimahullah) wanted to take a mid-day nap and decided he will attend to the matters of the people after the Zuhr salah. His son, ‘Abdul Malik cautioned him with the following:
“O Ameerul Mumineen! What guarantee do you have that you will live till Zuhr?”
‘Umar asked him to come closer. He embraced his son, kissed him and said:
“All praise is for Allah who has granted me offspring that assists me in my matters of din.”
Saying this, he left and called for those who had any need with the Ameerul Mumineen to come forward.
Like Father, Like Son, Like Slave
Maimoon Ibn Mehran says: “I haven’t seen a household better than the one that consisted of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil ‘Azeez, his son ‘Abdul Malik, and their slave; Muzahim”
Rabee’ ibn Sabirah told ‘Umar: “I haven’t seen a son like your son”
‘Abdul Malik, the son of Khalifah ‘Umar ibn‘Abdil Azeez (rahimahullah), was truly a son who was an asset to his father. He constantly assisted his father in his religious affairs; cautioning him and supporting him whenever the need arose.
When ‘Umar would get angry, he would calm him down. When he (the Ameerul Mumineen) needed advice, his son counselled him too.
The Father’s words for his Son
The following is a brief collection of the praises Khalifah ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil ‘Azeez had for his son:
- “All Praise is for Allah who bestowed me with an assistant from my own family; my son ‘Abdul Malik.”
- “May Allah have mercy on you my son, and may He reward you beautifully on behalf of your father. I indeed see you as an aid in good works.”
- If it wasn’t that I fear my decision may have been hampered by the love a father has for his son, I would have said ‘Abdul Malik is fit to be the Khalifah!
- “O My son! I am more proud that you are my son than you are about me being your father.”
To this ‘Abdul Malik replied:
“O father! I prefer being what you want me to be, instead of what I want…”
Demise
‘Abdul Malik (rahimahullah) passed away during the life of his father. He was only eighteen at the time of his death which was caused by a plague.
Upon his death ‘Umar (rahimahullah) addressed him saying:
“May Allah shower his mercy on you my son! You were indeed obedient to you father.”
He then made the following du’a”
اللهم اغفر لعبد الملك بن عمر، ولمن استغفر له
O Allah! Forgive ‘Abdul Malik, the son of ‘Umar, and forgive those who ask for his forgiveness
There was a Bedouin among those who consoled the Khalifah after his son’s demise. His words were:
يعِزُّ أميرَ المؤمنين فإنه لِما قد ترى يُغَذّٰى الصغيرُ ويولَدُ
هل ابنك إلا من سلالة آدم وكلٌّ على حوض المنية مورد
“May the Ameerul Mumineen remain in honour, but what you see (Death)
Is indeed the exact reason for which children are born and brought up (i.e, to die one day)
Your son is also among the progeny of Nabi Adam (’Alaihissalam)
All of which have to drink from the pond of death”
Hafidh Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) writes: “These proved to be the most consoling words for ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil ‘Azeez”
(Extracted from: Tareekh Dimashq & “Seeratu ‘Abdil Malik ibn ‘Abdil ‘Azeez”, by Hafidh Ibn Rajab Al-Hambali (rahimahullah).
May Allah Ta’ala guide us all to the ways of our pious predecessors. Ameen.
