Further Apprehension of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra)

Prior to this address of the Holy Prophet(sa), Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) was also in a state of extreme apprehension. Therefore, he himself related that on the return from Ḥudaibiyyah, when the Holy Prophet(sa) was journeying at night, he presented himself before him, and whilst addressing the Holy Prophet(sa), desired to say something to him. The Holy Prophet(sa) however, remained silent. He addressed him a second and third time, but the Holy Prophet(sa) remained silent as before.1 He was greatly hurt by this silence of the Holy Prophet(sa). Hence, he moved ahead of the entire body of the Muslims telling himself that, “O ‘Umar, you have been ruined! You addressed the Holy Prophet(sa) three times but the Messenger of Allāh did not respond.” He began to feel deeply apprehensive about what the matter was? He began to feel afraid that a Qur’ānic verse may have been revealed in his connection. It had hardly been a moment, when a man called out his name and said, “The Messenger of Allāh has summoned ‘Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb!” He said to himself, “I am sure that a Qur’ānic verse has been revealed about me.” Therefore, perturbed, he hurriedly presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) and upon greeting him with salutations of peace, he came to his side. The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “At this time, such a Sūrah has been revealed to me, which is more dear to me than all the things of this world.” Then the Holy Prophet(sa) recited the verses of Sūrah Al-Fatḥ.2 Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) asked, “O Messenger of Allāh! Is this treaty really a victory for Islām?” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Yes, verily this is our victory.” Upon this, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) found satisfaction and remained silent.3