Sometimes a Hadith is entered under a particular heading when it has little to do with that heading. Its text may deal with a totally different subject, but its entry could be only because the scholar preparing the anthology wanted to highlight a particular aspect which occurs in this particular Hadith, even though with secondary or little importance. If it is suggested that this could be confusing, because a scholar who wants to look for a Hadith will concentrate his search on its primary subject, we can say that there is no such confusion. Scholars who prepared anthologies of Hadith entered the same Hadith, in slightly different versions more than once, in different chapters and under different headings. None did so more than Al-Bukhari, whose classification was highly scholarly, providing an additional scholarly touch every time he entered the same Hadith.
The Hadith that we are discussing today is entered by Al-Bukhari in his valuable collection, Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, under the subheading, “Sitting on One’s Knees.” This comes within the context of proper positions to take in different situations. The Hadith is included here because it mentions that at a certain point, Umar sat on his knees in front of the Prophet. Since the Prophet did not comment on his position, it follows that it is perfectly permissible to do so. But the Hadith itself is concerned with far more important issues.
Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet led his companions offering Zuhr prayers. When he finished, he stood at the pulpit and talked about the Last Hour, mentioning that it involves great things. He then said: “Whoever wishes to ask about something, let him put his question. By God, whatever you may ask me, I will answer you, as long as I am in this position of mine.” People cried much when they heard the Prophet saying this. The Prophet repeated several times his invitation to them to put any questions to him. Then Umar sat on his knees and said: “We are happy to believe in God as our Lord, in Islam as our religion, and in Muhammad as God’s Messenger.” When Umar said this, the Prophet stopped inviting questions. Then the Prophet said: “By Him who holds Muhammad’s soul in His hand, I have been shown heaven and hell in the center of this wall, as I was praying. I have never witnessed a day like this, both in what is good and what is evil.” (Related by Al-Bukahri, Muslim and Al-Tirmidhi)
We note first that the reporter is keen to indicate the timing when this incident took place. In this version, which we take from Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, it is after the Prophet and his companions finished their obligatory prayer. In Al-Bukhari’s Sahih collection, it is “after the sun had moved a little after midday.” Both times are very close, but the Sahih version does not mention that the Zuhr prayer was offered first.
An additional, but important point, is found in the version related by Muslim, which starts as: “The Prophet heard something about his companions, and he spoke to them ...” This explains why the atmosphere was so tense on this occasion, with the Prophet inviting questions and few of them putting any. We have no idea what the Prophet heard about his companions, but it seems something that did not particularly please him. It may be deduced that it could have been something about the extent of his knowledge, but this is by no means certain. Since we are not told, we should not concern ourselves with it. Anyway, there is sufficient material in the Hadith for us to learn.
As the Prophet started his speech, he mentioned the Last Hour, when all life on earth will be finished, the Day of Judgment arrives and people are resurrected to be given their rewards. Apparently the Prophet wanted his companions to think of it, because by doing so they would be able to rise above the concerns of this life. Moreover, both the Qur’an and the Hadith stress that it is certain to come.
The Prophet then invites questions, promising to answer any question put to him at that time while he was in his position. This indicates that the Prophet was given complete information about everything, but his knowledge was limited to that particular session. Or he might have been promised by God to have the information he needs when a question is put to him. Both situations indicate a special favor granted to him by God. The Prophet was a human being to whom all the limitations of human beings apply, except for what God grants him as a special favor. For example, when he was taken on his night journey to Jerusalem and he reported the event, the people of the Quraysh reacted in total disbelief. Abu Bakr asked him to describe Jerusalem for them. God raised Jerusalem before his eyes so that he could answer their questions without hesitation. On this particular occasion mentioned in the Hadith, he was granted temporary knowledge of all matters about which he might be questioned.
His audience was apparently preoccupied with thoughts about the hereafter, since the Prophet reminded them of it and mentioned some details which sounded very serious.
Yet the Prophet was asked some questions by some of his companions. In the version related in Al-Bukhari’s Sahih, Abdullah ibn Hudhafah asked him: “Who is my father?” The Prophet told him: “Your father is Hudhafah.” The man knew who his father was, but his question aimed to know who his real father was. Some scholars point out that it was not a proper question to ask, because if his mother was not faithful to his father, he would have exposed her. The man was born before Islam, and his mother was an idolater when she became pregnant. It is well known that idolaters did not attach any particular importance to morality before Islam. But with Islam attaching far greater importance to it, an exposure would have been very embarrassing.
The very question indicates the unusual atmosphere that prevailed at that time. Then Umar comes forward and makes his statement: “We are happy to believe in God as our Lord, in Islam as our religion, and in Muhammad as God’s Messenger.” Sitting on his knees and making this statement, Umar wanted to dispel the Prophet’s displeasure. Nothing would have pleased the Prophet more than to find that people believed in God and in him as God’s messenger. Thus Umar reassures the Prophet of the fact that they all believe in him and his message. Umar also indicates that as believers, they do not need to trouble the Prophet with their questions. They simply accept whatever comes their way because as believers, they trust that God will bestow His grace on them, as He bestowed His grace when he sent them Muhammad as His messenger to explain to them the truth and what benefit them in this life and in the hereafter.
Moreover, we see that the Prophet’s displeasure was indicative of his care for his companions. He was made to see heaven and hell during his prayer. If he had heard something unpleasant about his companions, he wanted them to do what they need in order to ensure that they go to heaven. Hence, he wanted them to be reassured. This is why he invited their questions, hoping that what they would ask will help them to be firmer in their belief. Thus, Umar’s statement was on the same wavelength. He reassured the Prophet that they all believed and were firm in their belief. This was sufficient to calm the Prophet.
— Arab News Islam 10 October 2003
