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