‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) describes Jannatu ‘Adn

Imam Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah (rahimahullah) has recorded this narration. The narration is as follows:

Mujahid (rahimahullah) relates that ‘Umar ibnul Khattab (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once recited the Verse ‘جنات عدن’ [Gardens Eternity] on the pulpit and asked, ‘Do you know what are the Gardens of Eternity?’ He then explained, ‘It is a palace in Jannah that has five thousand [5000] doors and each door will have twenty five thousand [25 000] Hur [maidens of Jannah]. This is reserved for Prophets. Congratulations to the person in this grave and he pointed to the grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). [It is also reserved for] the truthful one, congratulations to Abu Bakr and for a martyr and where will ‘Umar attain martyrdom?’ He then said, ‘By the Being who has taken me out of my home, he is certainly able to [return] me to it.’”

(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Hadith: 35166)

Imam Harith (rahimahullah) has also recorded this narration with the same chain. ‘Allamah Busiri (rahimahullah) has declared the narrators reliable (thiqat).

(Musnadul Harith; Bughyatul Bahith, Hadith: 963. Refer: Mukhtasar Ithafus Sadah Al Maharah, Hadith: 7341)

Shaykh Muhammad ‘Awwamah (hafizahullah) has also declared the narrators reliable but states that there is an omission in the chain.

(Footnotes on Musannaf, Hadith: 35166)

However, the narration is corroborated and suitable to quote.

(Refer: Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 9 pg. 54-55)

Note: 

Although this Hadith has been reported as the statement of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu), the nature of the narration is not such that could be said by applying logic. It will therefore be understood that he heard this from Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) (مرفوع حكما).

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar