❖ Sayyidunā ʿUmar’s (RA) Miracle “Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal” — 7 Key Clarifications
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 212
Is the narration of “Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal” authentic or weak? Did this calling occur in a state of sleep or wakefulness? And is it considered a form of kashf (spiritual unveiling)?
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله
✔ This narration is classified as either Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) or Ḥasan (good).
➤ Imām al-Bayhaqī رحمه الله in Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah (2/181)
➤ Found in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (2/546), Ḥadīth No. 59054, under Bāb al-Karāmāt
➤ Imām Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله in al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah (7/131)
➤ Ibn ʿAsākir رحمه الله in Tārīkh Dimashq (7/6-1), (13/23-2)
➤ al-Ḍiyāʾ al-Maqdisī رحمه الله in al-Muntaqā min Masmūʿāt Marw (pp. 28–29)
➤ Ibn al-Athīr رحمه الله in Usd al-Ghāyah (5/68)
In al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah (3/101), Ḥadīth No. 1110, Imām al-Albānī narrated the ḥadīth via Nāfiʿ رحمه الله, stating:
**“Indeed, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) was delivering the Friday sermon when he suddenly exclaimed:
‘Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal! Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal!’
(O Sāriyah! Take refuge by the mountain! O Sāriyah! Take refuge by the mountain!)
At that very moment, Sayyidunā Sāriyah (RA) was engaged in battle, and between him and ʿUmar (RA) was a distance of one month’s travel.”**
This event occurred during the Friday sermon, in a state of wakefulness, not in sleep.
The narration has multiple chains of transmission, and those who classify it as weak are in error.
✘ The type of “kashf” (spiritual vision) commonly claimed by Sufis is a false notion.
✔ This incident was a true karāmah (miracle) granted by Allah ﷻ.
✔ It occurred by way of divine inspiration (ilhām).
✔ The words spontaneously emerged from the mouth of Sayyidunā ʿUmar (RA) without deliberate intent.
Refer to: al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah (3/101), Ḥadīth No. 1110
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 212
❖ Question
Is the narration of “Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal” authentic or weak? Did this calling occur in a state of sleep or wakefulness? And is it considered a form of kashf (spiritual unveiling)?
✦ The Response
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله
❖ The Authenticity of the Ḥadīth “Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal”
✔ This narration is classified as either Ṣaḥīḥ (authentic) or Ḥasan (good).
Sources that Mention the Narration:
➤ Imām al-Bayhaqī رحمه الله in Dalāʾil al-Nubuwwah (2/181)
➤ Found in Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (2/546), Ḥadīth No. 59054, under Bāb al-Karāmāt
➤ Imām Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله in al-Bidāyah wa al-Nihāyah (7/131)
➤ Ibn ʿAsākir رحمه الله in Tārīkh Dimashq (7/6-1), (13/23-2)
➤ al-Ḍiyāʾ al-Maqdisī رحمه الله in al-Muntaqā min Masmūʿāt Marw (pp. 28–29)
➤ Ibn al-Athīr رحمه الله in Usd al-Ghāyah (5/68)
❖ Authentication by Imām al-Albānī رحمه الله
In al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah (3/101), Ḥadīth No. 1110, Imām al-Albānī narrated the ḥadīth via Nāfiʿ رحمه الله, stating:
**“Indeed, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) was delivering the Friday sermon when he suddenly exclaimed:
‘Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal! Yā Sāriyah al-Jabal!’
(O Sāriyah! Take refuge by the mountain! O Sāriyah! Take refuge by the mountain!)
At that very moment, Sayyidunā Sāriyah (RA) was engaged in battle, and between him and ʿUmar (RA) was a distance of one month’s travel.”**
❖ Key Clarifications About the Event
① Time and State of the Incident:
This event occurred during the Friday sermon, in a state of wakefulness, not in sleep.
② Those Who Declare the Ḥadīth as Weak Are Mistaken:
The narration has multiple chains of transmission, and those who classify it as weak are in error.
③ Was It Kashf or a Miracle (Karamah)?
✘ The type of “kashf” (spiritual vision) commonly claimed by Sufis is a false notion.
✔ This incident was a true karāmah (miracle) granted by Allah ﷻ.
✔ It occurred by way of divine inspiration (ilhām).
✔ The words spontaneously emerged from the mouth of Sayyidunā ʿUmar (RA) without deliberate intent.
For Further Detail:
Refer to: al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah (3/101), Ḥadīth No. 1110
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.
