Brief Biography of Abu ‘Umar Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi

Summary

The video tells the inspiring story of Abu Umar, a man known for his deep commitment to worship, charity, and teaching the Quran. He devoted his life to helping others, teaching the Quran after Fajr prayers, and participating in military expeditions, including the conquest of Jerusalem. Known for his selflessness, he gave away all his wealth, including his winter clothes. His dedication to charity, fasting, and religious practice was extraordinary, with his life marked by simplicity, generosity, and devotion. He passed away in 607 AH, leaving behind a legacy of piety and selflessness that drew 20,000 people to his funeral.

Takeaways

• 😀 Abu Umar cared for Ahmed's family after his father passed away and was known for his strong devotion to worship.
• 😀 Abu Umar doubled the level of worship his father was known for, with a passion for teaching the Quran.
• 😀 He taught the Quran after Fajr prayer until the sun rose, dedicating his mornings to Quranic education.
• 😀 Abu Umar was known for his generosity, giving away everything he owned, including his winter clothes, to charity.
• 😀 His routine involved sharing half of his daily meals with the first person he encountered.
• 😀 He would write out the Quran for those who hadn’t memorized it and give it to them as a gift.
• 😀 Abu Umar was a highly committed individual, participating in 23 military expeditions, including the conquest of Jerusalem.
• 😀 He would rush to pray and bury those who passed away, demonstrating his devotion to community service.
• 😀 Abu Umar was dedicated to fasting continuously, only breaking his fast for special occasions like Eid or sickness.
• 😀 He wrote poetry, expressing deep wisdom, including advice on justice, righteousness, and staying away from immoral actions.
• 😀 Abu Umar’s death was a result of his continuous remembrance of Allah, passing away while performing zikr, as his life had been.

Q & A

Who was Abu Umar and what was his relationship with Ahmed's family?

Abu Umar took care of Ahmed's family after Ahmed passed away. He was known for his deep devotion to worship and service to others.

What distinguished Abu Umar's worship practices compared to his father?

Abu Umar was known for doubling his father's worship, dedicating himself to acts of worship with exceptional passion, including his teaching of the Quran after Fajr until Dohr time.

How did Abu Umar approach the distribution of his wealth?

Abu Umar was known for giving away everything he owned in charity, even his winter clothes, except for one set of clothing that did not protect him from the cold.

What was Abu Umar’s daily routine?

His daily routine involved teaching the Quran after Fajr without moving until sunrise, followed by lengthy prayers until Dohr. He also gave charity regularly and prayed 72 Rak’ahs of Sunnah daily.

What was Abu Umar’s approach to helping those who hadn’t memorized the Quran?

He would write out the Mushaf by hand for those who had not memorized the Quran and gift it to them, showing deep care for their spiritual education.

How did Abu Umar participate in military expeditions?

Abu Umar participated in 23 military expeditions, including the battles of Nuradin and the conquest of Jerusalem with Salahuddin.

What did Abu Umar do when he heard about a funeral (janazah)?

Abu Umar would rush to attend the janazah, perform the prayer, and bury the body, showing his compassion and commitment to community obligations.

How did Abu Umar view charity (sadaqa)?

He believed that the person giving charity needed it more than the recipient. If you don't give charity, nobody else would give it on your behalf, unlike the poor, who would receive charity from others.

What were the circumstances surrounding Abu Umar’s fasting habits?

In his later years, Abu Umar fasted continuously, only breaking his fast for special occasions such as Eid, illness, or a valid excuse. He believed in utilizing the remaining days of his life for spiritual benefit.

What is significant about the poetry Abu Umar wrote?

Abu Umar wrote poetry reflecting his deep spirituality and wisdom. One of his famous poems advises his companions on justice, taqwa (God-consciousness), and the fleeting nature of worldly life.