This is evidence of the difference in faith among people, and it contains a great virtue for 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), as he was wearing a shirt that dragged on the ground.
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The Shaykh : This is evidence of the difference in faith among people, and it contains a great virtue for 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), as he was wearing a shirt that dragged on the ground. However, a malicious person might say regarding 'Umar ibn al-Khattab: “Dragging the shirt is forbidden, and it is one of the major sins.”
It is said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated this in the context of praise, and he described what he was dragging as a debt, and that his debt was complete, covering his entire body. This is not physical clothing; it is spiritual clothing. Thus, it encompassed his entire body, even his two feet with which he walks; his faith was complete in them.
It is also evidence that one who is honored with a specific distinction, or who attains a virtue through a specific distinction, is not necessarily granted the absolute virtue. There is no doubt that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was more faithful in his debt than 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and better, but he was distinguished by this specific distinction, just as 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was distinguished in the Battle of Khaybar when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih al-Bukhari 3009. The people spent the night tossing and turning, and when morning came, they went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), all hoping to be given the banner. He said: . They said: He was complaining of his eyes. So he ordered him to be brought, and he came, and he spat in his eyes, and he was cured as if he had never had any pain, immediately. Then he gave him the banner and said: Sahih al-Bukhari 3701. This is a specific distinction for 'Ali, and it does not imply that he is absolutely better than others.
In any case, this hadith is evidence that people differ in religion, and that is indeed the case.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.
It is said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) narrated this in the context of praise, and he described what he was dragging as a debt, and that his debt was complete, covering his entire body. This is not physical clothing; it is spiritual clothing. Thus, it encompassed his entire body, even his two feet with which he walks; his faith was complete in them.
It is also evidence that one who is honored with a specific distinction, or who attains a virtue through a specific distinction, is not necessarily granted the absolute virtue. There is no doubt that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was more faithful in his debt than 'Umar ibn al-Khattab and better, but he was distinguished by this specific distinction, just as 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) was distinguished in the Battle of Khaybar when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Tomorrow I will give the flag to somebody who will be given victory (by Allah) and who loves Allah and His Apostle and is loved by Allah and His Apostle.
لأعطين الراية غدا رجل يحب الله ورسول ويحبه الله ورسولهWhere is 'Ali ibn Abi Talib?
أين علي ابن أبي طالب ؟.Proceed to them steadily till you approach near to them and then invite them to Islam and inform them of their duties towards Allah which Islam prescribes for them, for by Allah, if one man is guided on the right path (i.e. converted to Islam) through you, it would be better for you than (a great number of) red camels.
انفذ على رسلك حتى تنزل بساحتهم ، ثم ادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم من حق الله فيه ، فوالله لأن يهدي منك رجلا واحدا خير لك من حمر النعمIn any case, this hadith is evidence that people differ in religion, and that is indeed the case.
The questioner : Shaykh.
The Shaykh : Yes.