Question
Is this a reliable narration?
وروي عن نافع عن ابن عمر أنه قدم على عمر بن الخطاب من الرباط فقال له : كم رابطت ؟ قال ثلاثين يوما قال : عزمت عليك الا رجعت حتى تتمها أربعين يوما وان رابط أكثر فله أجره
Answer
I have not come across these exact words in a primary Hadith source. Certain non primary sources have cited this narration.
(Sharh Ibn Raslan, Hadith: 2500, vol. 11 pg. 67)
Imam ‘Abdur Razzaq (rahimahullah) has recorded a similar narration. The wording of this version is as follows:
جاء رجل من الأنصار إلى عمر بن الخطاب فقال: أين كنت؟ قال: في الرباط قال: كم رابطت؟ قال: ثلاثين قال: فهلا أتممت أربعين
An Ansari man once came to ‘Umar ibnul Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu). He [‘Umar radiyallahu ‘anhu] asked, ‘Where have you been?’ He replied, ‘Guarding the Muslim camp.’ ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked, ‘For how long have you guarded the Muslim army’? He replied, ‘Thirty days.’ Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Why did you not complete forty days?’”
(Musannaf ‘Abdur Razzaq: 9615. Also see: Hayatus Sahabah, vol. 1 pg. 730)
This narration is suitable to quote.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar