Is this statement authentically attributed to Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu)?
Sayyiduna ‘Umar Ibn Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “I fear most for this Ummah such a person who is a scholar with his tongue, but an ignorant person at heart.”
Answer
Imam Muhammad Ibn Nasr Al Marwazi (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. ‘Allamah Diyaud Din Al Maqdisi (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration in his collection of reliable Hadiths entitled, Al-Mukhtarah.
(Ta’zimu Qadris Salah, 683, Al Ahadithul Mukhtarah: 236. Also see: Musnadul Faruq of Hafiz Ibn Kathir, vol. 3 pg. 75)
The full narration is as follows:
Abu ‘Uthman An Nahdi (rahimahullah) says, “I heard ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) on the mimbar of Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) saying [numerous times]: ‘The thing I fear the most for this ummah is a knowledgeable hypocrite. It was asked, ‘How can a hypocrite be knowledgeable?’ He replied, ‘Knowledgeable with his tongue but ignorant at heart and when it comes to practising.’”
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar