Is this narration sahih?
Sayyiduna ‘Umar Ibn Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) said: “When you see a Scholar having love for the world, then be suspicious of him. A man will become engrossed in something he loves.”
Answer
Imam Ghazali (rahimahullah) has cited this statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) without chain of narrators.
(Ihya ‘Ulumid Din, vol. 1 pg. 225, Ithafus Sadah Al Muttaqin, vol. 1 g. 357)
Hafiz Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullah) has also cited a similar narration as the statement of Ja’far ibn Muhammad (rahimahullah), without a chain.
(Jami’u Bayanil ‘Ilmi Wa Fadlihi, 1174)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar