It is reported that in a conversation with ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Abbaas, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab asked him:
“Why should there be disagreement amongst this ummah, all of whom follow the same Prophet (SAW) and pray in the direction of the same Qiblah?”
To this, ibn ‘Abbaas replied: “O leader of the believers, the Qur’an was sent down to us, we read it and we know the circumstances in which it was revealed. But there may be people after us who will read the Qur’an without knowing the occasions of its revelation. Thus they will form their own opinion, which might lead to conflict and even bloodshed among them.”
‘Umar disagreed with Ibn ‘Abbaas for saying so at first, but, when Ibn ‘Abbaas departed, ‘Umar pondered over what he had said. He then sent for Ibn ‘Abbaas to tell him that he agreed with his view.
[Principles Of Islamic jurisprudence, p. 54] Ibn ‘Abbaas was referring to certain misinterpretations that could arise due to ignorance of the reasons for the revelation of certain aayahs (Asbaab Al-Nuzool).
As a side note: It is good to derive certain beneficial points from this narration.
1. Here we see that after the initial disagreement between two of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, ‘Umar sent for Ibn ‘Abbaas to inform him that he agreed with his view, this shows his concern for unity in all aspects, not just outward, but also to kill off any internal feelings of disunity.
2. We see ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, a senior, the leader of the believers, the head of a state, asking a question to someone far less in age than him. And there is no shame in asking questions to one lesser in age than you, provided they have baseerah (insight and knowledge). And this shows ‘Umar’s humbleness.
3. The importance of the science of knowledge (i.e, asbaab al-nuzool).
4. That knowledge comes about by asking questions. As the scholars have stated that ‘a shy student and arrogant student go nowhere’.
5. ‘Umar’s great concern for the unity of this ummah.
6. And lastly, we see from this narration, that no one is infallible in their knowledge.
by The Authentic Base – January 13, 2011
Speaking my mind 