✿ Response to the Accusation Against Sayyidunā ʿUmar al-Fārūq Regarding the Battle of Uḥud ✿
✍ Answered by: Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
The Rawāfiḍ allege that Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه fled during the Battle of Uḥud. Please clarify this matter.
This accusation is false and baseless in reference to Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه.
Such an incident is only reported in the context of Sayyidunā ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه, and even in his case, Allah ﷻ forgave him — as affirmed in authentic narrations.
ʿUthmān ibn Mawhab رحمه الله reported:
A man came for Ḥajj and began speaking with some of the Quraysh. He asked Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما whether ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه had fled during the Battle of Uḥud.
Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar responded:
“Yes, but Allah forgave him.”
He then added:
① At Badr, he was absent only by the permission of the Prophet ﷺ, as he was caring for his ill wife, Ruqayyah رضي الله عنها.
② During Bayʿat al-Riḍwān, he was sent as the Prophet’s ﷺ envoy to Makkah, and the Prophet ﷺ pledged allegiance on his behalf.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth 4066]
The Battle of Uḥud witnessed an unexpected setback due to the disobedience of the archers, which caused confusion and dispersal among the Companions.
Many noble Ṣaḥābah faced a moment of fear and uncertainty — including ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه, who later felt deep regret for it.
However, this mistake was forgiven by Allah ﷻ, as stated in the Qur’ān.
Surah Āl ʿImrān, verse 152:
"وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ"
“Indeed, He forgave you, and Allah is full of bounty to the believers.”
And in context:
“Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them by His permission, until you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order and disobeyed after He showed you that which you love. Among you are some who desire the world, and some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them that He might test you — and indeed, He forgave you. And Allah is gracious to the believers.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 152]
✔ The incident of temporary retreat at Uḥud was not unique to one Companion.
✔ It was a human reaction in a moment of intense trial, later acknowledged and forgiven by Allah.
✔ As for Sayyidunā ʿUmar رضي الله عنه, no authentic report exists stating that he fled during Uḥud.
✔ False accusations against the noble Companions contradict explicit Qur’anic affirmation of their virtue and forgiveness.
Thus, this Qur’anic verse is a sufficient response to those who attempt to defame the noble Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم.
✍ Answered by: Shaykh ʿAbd al-Wakīl Nāṣir ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question:
The Rawāfiḍ allege that Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه fled during the Battle of Uḥud. Please clarify this matter.
✔ Answer:
This accusation is false and baseless in reference to Sayyidunā ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه.
Such an incident is only reported in the context of Sayyidunā ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān رضي الله عنه, and even in his case, Allah ﷻ forgave him — as affirmed in authentic narrations.
❖ Hadith Evidence Regarding Sayyidunā ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه
ʿUthmān ibn Mawhab رحمه الله reported:
A man came for Ḥajj and began speaking with some of the Quraysh. He asked Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما whether ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه had fled during the Battle of Uḥud.
Sayyidunā Ibn ʿUmar responded:
“Yes, but Allah forgave him.”
He then added:
① At Badr, he was absent only by the permission of the Prophet ﷺ, as he was caring for his ill wife, Ruqayyah رضي الله عنها.
② During Bayʿat al-Riḍwān, he was sent as the Prophet’s ﷺ envoy to Makkah, and the Prophet ﷺ pledged allegiance on his behalf.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth 4066]
❖ The Incident of Uḥud: A Contextual Clarification
The Battle of Uḥud witnessed an unexpected setback due to the disobedience of the archers, which caused confusion and dispersal among the Companions.
Many noble Ṣaḥābah faced a moment of fear and uncertainty — including ʿUthmān رضي الله عنه, who later felt deep regret for it.
However, this mistake was forgiven by Allah ﷻ, as stated in the Qur’ān.
❖ Qur’anic Evidence of Forgiveness
Surah Āl ʿImrān, verse 152:
"وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ"
“Indeed, He forgave you, and Allah is full of bounty to the believers.”
And in context:
“Indeed, Allah fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them by His permission, until you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order and disobeyed after He showed you that which you love. Among you are some who desire the world, and some who desire the Hereafter. Then He turned you back from them that He might test you — and indeed, He forgave you. And Allah is gracious to the believers.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 152]
❖ Final Conclusion:
✔ The incident of temporary retreat at Uḥud was not unique to one Companion.
✔ It was a human reaction in a moment of intense trial, later acknowledged and forgiven by Allah.
✔ As for Sayyidunā ʿUmar رضي الله عنه, no authentic report exists stating that he fled during Uḥud.
✔ False accusations against the noble Companions contradict explicit Qur’anic affirmation of their virtue and forgiveness.
Thus, this Qur’anic verse is a sufficient response to those who attempt to defame the noble Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم.
