بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Stories of the Sahabah

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, a young Muhajir, a major narrator of hadith, and one of the most careful followers of the Sunnah. His life shines with worship, restraint, accurate narration, Hajj knowledge, and deep love for the practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Son of Umar رضي الله عنه Follower of Sunnah Major Hadith Narrator
Known as Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, one of the most careful followers of the Sunnah among the Sahabah
Full name Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab al-‘Adawi رضي الله عنهما
Father Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, the second rightly guided khalifah
Mother Zaynab bint Maz‘un رضي الله عنها, from Banu Jumah
Sister Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنها, Mother of the Believers and wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Known for Hadith narration, fiqh, worship, Hajj knowledge, caution in times of conflict, and close following of the Prophet’s ﷺ practice
Major dates Commonly born around 10 BH / about 613 CE; not permitted at Uhud in 3 AH because he was fourteen; permitted at al-Khandaq in 5 AH because he was fifteen; commonly returned to Allah in Makkah in 73 AH / 693 CE
Next in sequence After this page: Usamah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه

His family, youth, Sunnah following, worship, knowledge, and dates

This page keeps Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما focused on his strongest anchors: young Hijrah, clear battle-age reports, night prayer, hadith narration, Hajj knowledge, and careful restraint.

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A young son of Umar رضي الله عنه

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه. He grew up close to the centre of the Muslim community and became one of the best-known young Sahabah for worship, narration, fiqh, and careful following of the Sunnah.

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His family line

His full name was Abdullah ibn Umar ibn al-Khattab al-‘Adawi رضي الله عنهما. He came from Banu Adi of Quraysh. His father was Umar رضي الله عنه, and his mother was Zaynab bint Maz‘un رضي الله عنها, the sister of the noble Companion Uthman ibn Maz‘un رضي الله عنه.

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Brother of Hafsa رضي الله عنها

His sister Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنها became one of the Mothers of the Believers when she married Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This gave Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما a close family connection to the Prophetic household, while his own rank came through faith, learning, worship, and following the Sunnah.

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Born before the Hijrah

The commonly mentioned birth year is around ten years before the Hijrah, roughly 613 CE. Since exact early birth records are not the same as modern official records, the safest wording is around 10 BH rather than forcing a single modern date.

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Young in the Makkan period

He accepted Islam while young and migrated with his family. Because he was a child during the early Makkan years, many of his most detailed public reports come from the Madinan period, when he could observe the Prophet ﷺ, learn, and later narrate.

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Hijrah to Madinah

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما made Hijrah to Madinah while still young. This means he grew from childhood into youth in a city shaped directly by revelation, prayer, brotherhood, jihad, worship, and the living Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

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Too young for Uhud

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما saying that he presented himself to the Prophet ﷺ on the day of Uhud when he was fourteen, but the Prophet ﷺ did not permit him to fight. This happened in 3 AH / 625 CE.

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Permitted at al-Khandaq

He then presented himself on the day of al-Khandaq when he was fifteen, and the Prophet ﷺ permitted him. Al-Khandaq took place in 5 AH / 627 CE. This report is important because it gives one of the clearest age markers in his life.

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A young Companion learning discipline

The Uhud and Khandaq reports show Prophetic discipline. Love for Islam was not enough to ignore age and readiness. Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما wanted to serve, but the Prophet ﷺ guided him according to wisdom.

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Became known for following the Sunnah closely

Among the Sahabah, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما became especially famous for precise following. Reports from his students describe how he loved to follow the Prophet’s ﷺ practice carefully, even in small outward details.

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Sunnah was not decoration to him

For Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, Sunnah was not only a topic to quote. It was a path to walk. He watched, remembered, asked, narrated, practised, and trained others to honour the Prophetic way.

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The Quba habit

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that the Prophet ﷺ used to visit Quba, and Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما narrated this practice. Reports mention the Prophet ﷺ going there on Saturdays, riding or walking. This shows how Ibn Umar preserved practical worship patterns.

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A narrator of the five pillars hadith

One of the most famous hadiths of Islam comes through Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما: Islam is built upon five. This hadith is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim and became a doorway for Muslims to understand the foundation of the religion.

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A narrator of public responsibility

He also narrated the famous hadith that every person is a shepherd and every person is responsible for his flock. This report became a major teaching about leadership, family duty, authority, and accountability before Allah.

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The dream shown to the Prophet ﷺ

Sahih al-Bukhari records that Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما saw a dream and wished he could share it with the Prophet ﷺ. He told it to his sister Hafsa رضي الله عنها, and she told the Prophet ﷺ.

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What an excellent man Abdullah would be

The Prophet ﷺ said words meaning that Abdullah was an excellent man if he prayed at night. After that, Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما became known for praying at night and sleeping only a little. A single Prophetic correction became a lifelong doorway of worship.

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Worship with consistency

This report shows his readiness to act. He did not hear the Prophet’s ﷺ praise and advice as a nice line for memory. He turned it into regular worship, and his biography became perfumed with night prayer.

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Knowledge of prayer and worship

Many reports from Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما deal with prayer, purification, Hajj, Umrah, travel, manners, and daily worship. His life is especially valuable because he narrated and practised details that ordinary Muslims need again and again.

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A major teacher of Hajj and Umrah

Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما became a major reference for Hajj and Umrah practice. He knew the routes, timings, places, and actions connected to the Prophet’s ﷺ pilgrimage and journeys. Students returned to him for practical guidance.

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Following the Prophet ﷺ in travel and places

Biographical and hadith reports describe his special care in following the Prophet’s ﷺ paths and actions during travel. Public wording should avoid turning every later report into a legal obligation, but it is clear that his heart loved precise imitation.

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His caution in fitnah

During later internal conflicts among Muslims, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was known for caution. He avoided rushing into bloodshed and preferred safety in religion over political heat. This side of his life must be written respectfully and without using him as a weapon in later arguments.

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Not a man of empty silence

His caution did not mean he had no knowledge or no courage. It meant he feared Allah regarding Muslim blood and responsibility. He continued teaching, worshipping, narrating, advising, and holding firm to what he understood from the Sunnah.

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Among the great narrators

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما is counted among the Sahabah who narrated many hadiths. His narrations spread through major students, especially his freedman Nafi‘ رحمه الله, whose chain through Ibn Umar became one of the strongest routes in hadith scholarship.

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The golden chain through Nafi‘

Scholars praised the chain Malik from Nafi‘ from Ibn Umar because of its strength. This does not mean every issue is solved by one chain, but it shows how Allah preserved much knowledge through Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما and his students.

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His fiqh personality

His fiqh was known for caution, textual loyalty, and avoiding unnecessary expansion beyond what he knew. When a person reads his reports, a pattern appears: do what is authentically known, avoid careless claims, and fear speaking about religion without knowledge.

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Generosity and freeing slaves

Biographical works mention his generosity and his practice of freeing slaves. Some reports describe him freeing people when he saw signs of righteousness in them. These reports should be presented as biography material, while his strongest public anchors remain the sahih hadiths.

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His manners with wealth

Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما did not treat wealth as a throne. Like many Sahabah, he saw wealth as a trust and a means for obedience. His biography is not famous for building an empire, but for worship, narration, and fear of Allah.

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His connection to the people of Madinah and Makkah

He lived through the Prophetic period, the khilafah of his father Umar رضي الله عنه, and later generations. He was known in Madinah and Makkah as a senior Companion whose presence carried memory, hadith, and fiqh.

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A teacher for the next generation

Among those who narrated from him were Nafi‘, Salim ibn Abdullah, Abdullah ibn Dinar, Mujahid, Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, and many others رحمهم الله. His house of knowledge did not close with his own lifetime.

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His final years

The commonly mentioned year for Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما returning to Allah is 73 AH / 693 CE. He returned to Allah in Makkah according to the well-known historical wording. Some details around exact age and circumstances vary, so the page should avoid theatrical scenes.

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His age at the end of life

Because he is commonly said to have been born around 10 BH and returned to Allah in 73 AH, his age is often given in the eighties. Reports and calendar conversion can vary slightly, so simple wording such as in his eighties is safer than forcing one exact number.

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What should not be exaggerated

Do not present him as infallible, and do not make his personal imitation of travel routes into a universal obligation without scholarly explanation. Honour him as a great Companion while keeping fiqh claims disciplined.

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His main lesson

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما teaches that love for the Prophet ﷺ becomes real when it shapes action. His life says: learn the Sunnah, follow it humbly, avoid reckless speech, protect Muslim blood, worship at night, and carry knowledge carefully.

Who was Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما?

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was the son of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه and Zaynab bint Maz‘un رضي الله عنها. He was from Banu Adi of Quraysh and was the brother of Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنها, the Mother of the Believers.

He was young during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ, but he lived long after that and became a major bridge between the Prophetic generation and the students who came later. His biography is especially important for Muslims who want to understand practical Sunnah with love and care.

Simple identity line

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was the son of Umar رضي الله عنه, a young Muhajir, a major narrator, and one of the Sahabah most famous for careful following of the Sunnah.

The clearest dates in his early life

One of the strongest date anchors in his biography is the hadith in which he said he was presented to the Prophet ﷺ on the day of Uhud at fourteen and was not permitted, then was presented on the day of al-Khandaq at fifteen and was permitted. Uhud took place in 3 AH / 625 CE, and al-Khandaq is commonly dated to 5 AH / 627 CE.

This report keeps the page grounded. It shows that he was eager to serve Islam, but the Prophet ﷺ did not allow eagerness to ignore readiness. The Sunnah trained courage with wisdom.

The night prayer turning point

Sahih al-Bukhari records the dream of Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما and how Hafsa رضي الله عنها conveyed it to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ praised Abdullah and indicated that he should pray at night.

After this, Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما became known for night prayer. This is one of the most beautiful parts of his life: he did not leave Prophetic advice as a quote. He made it part of his routine.

His love for the Sunnah

Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما became famous for close following of the Prophet’s ﷺ actions. His love was practical. He cared about prayer, travel, Hajj, manners, timings, places, and repeated habits of the Prophet ﷺ.

This should be presented with balance. His careful imitation is a virtue, but public pages should not turn every personal practice into a legal ruling without proper fiqh explanation from scholars.

A narrator of foundational hadiths

Through Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما, the Ummah received famous hadiths such as Islam being built upon five and every person being a shepherd responsible for his flock. These narrations are not tiny details. They became foundations for belief, worship, leadership, and accountability.

His reports also cover practical worship, Hajj, Umrah, prayer, travel, manners, public responsibility, and everyday religious life. This is why his page should be detailed: his narrations are woven into the daily practice of Muslims.

Hajj, Umrah, and practical fiqh

Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما is especially important in reports related to Hajj and Umrah. He preserved details of places, movements, timings, and practices connected to the Prophet ﷺ. For students of fiqh, he is one of the most important Sahabah in practical worship reports.

His style shows that sacred knowledge is not only grand speeches. Sometimes the Ummah needs someone who remembers exactly how the Prophet ﷺ prayed, travelled, entered, left, wore ihram, or visited a blessed place.

Caution during later conflicts

In the later difficult periods among Muslims, Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما was known for caution. He avoided rushing into internal fighting and feared Allah regarding Muslim blood. This part of his biography should be written with respect and not used to attack other Sahabah.

His restraint teaches an important lesson: when the Ummah enters confusing times, speaking less, protecting blood, avoiding slogans, and holding the Sunnah may be safer than chasing every heated banner.

Students and transmission

Many students narrated from Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما. The most famous among them is Nafi‘ رحمه الله, his freedman. The chain Malik from Nafi‘ from Ibn Umar is famous among hadith scholars for its strength.

His own son Salim, Abdullah ibn Dinar, Mujahid, Sa‘id ibn Jubayr, and others also carried from him. Through these students, his memory of the Sunnah moved into the great books of hadith and fiqh.

Dates and final years

He is commonly said to have been born around 10 BH / about 613 CE. He made Hijrah while young, was fourteen at Uhud in 3 AH, and was fifteen at al-Khandaq in 5 AH. These are the clearest date markers for his early life.

The commonly mentioned year for Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما returning to Allah is 73 AH / 693 CE in Makkah. His exact age is reported with small variation, so it is best to say he was in his eighties.

Virtues and honours

These points keep his page centred on what is strongest and most useful for readers.

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Son of Umar رضي الله عنه

He was raised in the household of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه, one of the greatest men of this Ummah.

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Brother of Hafsa رضي الله عنها

His sister was Hafsa bint Umar رضي الله عنها, Mother of the Believers, giving him close family connection to the Prophetic household.

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Young Muhajir

He migrated while young and grew into maturity in Madinah under the light of revelation and Sunnah.

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Clear age marker

The Uhud and Khandaq reports give strong dates: fourteen at Uhud in 3 AH and fifteen at al-Khandaq in 5 AH.

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Night prayer encouragement

The Prophet ﷺ praised him with advice connected to praying at night, and Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما acted upon it.

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Major hadith narrator

He narrated many foundational hadiths, including Islam built upon five and every person being a shepherd.

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Known for Sunnah following

He became famous for close, careful following of the Prophet’s ﷺ practice.

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Hajj and worship teacher

Many of his reports preserve practical details of Hajj, Umrah, prayer, travel, and daily religious life.

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Cautious during fitnah

He avoided rushing into internal conflict and feared Allah regarding Muslim blood and public responsibility.

Lessons from his life

Abdullah ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما teaches students to love the Sunnah with action, not only words.

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Turn advice into action

When the Prophet ﷺ encouraged night prayer for him, Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما made it a habit rather than leaving it as a story.

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Follow Sunnah with love

His biography teaches that Sunnah is not only information. It is a path of worship, discipline, and love.

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Do not rush before readiness

The Uhud report teaches that zeal needs wisdom. The Prophet ﷺ did not permit him until the right time.

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Preserve practical knowledge

His reports on worship show the value of recording and teaching the details people need every day.

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Fear Allah in conflict

His caution during fitnah reminds Muslims not to treat public turmoil like a game of opinions.

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Knowledge needs chains

The route through Nafi‘ shows the beauty of reliable transmission and disciplined learning.

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Family honour is not enough

He was the son of Umar رضي الله عنه, but his own legacy came through worship, learning, and following the Sunnah.

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Keep dates honest

Where dates are clear, mention them. Where they differ, avoid forced precision.

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Love the Prophet ﷺ practically

His life shows that love for the Messenger ﷺ should become prayer, manners, restraint, and obedience.

Dates and wording notes

Keep the strong hadith anchors visible and avoid forced precision where reports differ.

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About his birth year

The commonly mentioned year is around 10 BH / about 613 CE. This is best written as approximate.

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About Uhud and Khandaq

Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim record that he was fourteen at Uhud and fifteen at al-Khandaq. These reports give strong relative dating.

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About al-Khandaq date

Al-Khandaq is commonly dated to 5 AH / 627 CE, while Uhud is dated to 3 AH / 625 CE.

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About the night prayer report

Sahih al-Bukhari records the dream report through Hafsa رضي الله عنها and the Prophet’s ﷺ statement that Abdullah would be excellent if he prayed at night.

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About his Sunnah following

His careful imitation is well known in hadith and biographical literature. Avoid making every personal action a legal ruling without scholarly explanation.

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About hadith count

He is among the prolific narrators of hadith. Exact counts may differ depending on counting method and repeated chains.

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About Nafi‘

Nafi‘ رحمه الله, the freedman of Ibn Umar, is one of the most important transmitters from him. The chain Malik from Nafi‘ from Ibn Umar is highly valued by hadith scholars.

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About political events

Mention his caution during later conflicts respectfully. Do not force his biography into sectarian or modern political argument.

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About final year

The common year is 73 AH / 693 CE in Makkah, with small variation in exact age and related details.

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About wording

Use returned to Allah for believers and righteous figures. Keep the tone respectful and source-aware.

References used

  • Sahih al-Bukhari 2664 and Sahih Muslim 1868: Used for Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما being fourteen at Uhud and fifteen at al-Khandaq.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 4097 and related battle reports: Used for the same age marker in the context of al-Khandaq and early participation.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 1121 and 1122: Used for the dream report through Hafsa رضي الله عنها and the Prophet’s ﷺ encouragement connected to night prayer.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 8 and Sahih Muslim 16: Used for the hadith narrated by Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that Islam is built upon five.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 893 and Sahih Muslim 1829: Used for the hadith narrated by Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that every person is a shepherd and responsible for his flock.
  • Sahih al-Bukhari 1193 and Sahih Muslim 1399: Used for the Quba practice and Ibn Umar’s preservation of practical Prophetic habits.
  • Biographical works of the Sahabah and later scholarly summaries: Used for family background, students, common birth year, final year, and his known caution during later conflicts.
  • Hadith scholarship on the chain Malik from Nafi‘ from Ibn Umar: Used for the note about the strength of this transmission route in the hadith tradition.

ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

All praise is for Allah, Lord of all worlds.