1. It is narrated from Anas that:
“Umar bin Khattab beat up Sabigh Kufi so severely that his back became
bloody only because of his query regarding a letter of Quran.”
It is narrated from Zuhri that Umar beat up with lash Sabigh, as he made
excessive inquiries regarding letters of Quran and his back started bleeding.1
Ghazzali says in Ihyhaul Uloom:2 Umar was one, who closed the path of
argumentation, scholasticism and debates and he lashed Sabigh, drove him away
and also asked people not to go near him as he had asked him about disparity
between two verses of Quran.
2. Abdur Rahman bin Yazid says: A man asked Umar about the verse:
وَفَاكِهَةً وَايَّان
“And fruits and herbage”3
When Umar saw that they were talking about this, he went towards them
with a whip.4
Allamah Amini says: I think that clear reply to every unknown thing is
possible through the tongue of lash. The statement of the Caliph, also hints at this
when he said: “We are forbidden from excessive precaution,” in reply to the
simplest query, which every pure Arab knew and that is the meaning of the term
of ‘Abb’, which is clearly explained in Holy Quran in the verse of:
مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِأَنْعَامِكُمْ
“A provision for you and for your cattle.”5
I don’t know how the questioner, who posed a question about meaning of
words in Quran can become eligible for their blood to be shed through the lash
and that they bear pain and discomfort? Because this query is not an evidence of
their infidelity and apostasy, but the story is as you see.
In addition to that, what is the sin of the person, who is aware of the
meaning of ‘Abb’ and he replies? And why the Caliph attacked them with whip?
In this way, would any scope remain for teaching and training?!
Perhaps it was through the blessings of that lash that people were deprived
of progress and development in knowledge and sciences. So much so that persons
like Ibne Abbas were unable to ask the Caliph regarding the verse:
وَإِنْ تَظْهَرَا عَلَيْهِ
“And if you back up each other against him.”6
Ibne Abbas says:
“I wanted to ask Umar bin Khattab about a tradition since last two years, but
his ferocity restrained me.”7
And he also says:
“Since last one year I wanted to ask Umar bin Khattab about a verse of
Quran; but due to his ferocity, I am unable to do so.”8
49. Viewpoint of the Caliph regarding query about future
To his independent judgment (Ijtehaad) regarding inquiries about difficult
portions of Quran, add his unique viewpoint regarding queries about future,
because he prohibited asking questions regarding these as well.
Tawus says: Umar said from the pulpit:
“By God, I would deal harshly with one, who makes inquiries about future,
because God has only mentioned about what is present.”9
He also said: “It is not lawful to make inquiries about what has not yet come
to pass, because Allah, the Mighty and the High has only mentioned and revealed
commands about the present.”
He also said: “I shall deal harshly with your queries about the future and
what is there for us is sufficient; and it has kept us sufficiently occupied.”
“One day, a person came to Ibne Umar and asked about something, which I
don’t what it was. Ibne Umar said: Don’t ask about what has not yet happened,
because I heard from Umar bin Khattab cursing one, who inquired about future.”10