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