Question
Can you please provide the reference for this narration?
Abu ‘Uthman reported that ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) wanted to appoint a man as governor. The governor said, “I have such and such a number of children and I have never kissed any of them.” Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “Allah Almighty will only show mercy to the kindest of His slaves.”
Answer
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration in Al Adabul Mufrad:
Abu ‘Uthman reports that ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once appointed a man as a governor. The governor said, ‘I have such and such a number of children and I have never kissed any of them. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said, ‘Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla only shows mercy to those are kind from His servants.’”
(Al Adabul Mufrad, Hadith: 99)
Other versions of the Hadith suggest that ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) then dismissed him. See here
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar