However, the first day of this month has a special link to the leader of the believers, the great caliph of the Muslims, Sayyiduna Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, for it is the day that he رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ was martyred. Because of this link, let us listen today to the greatness of the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ. We shall first listen to an amazing narration.

Heavenly Palace of the upholder of truth

On page 169, volume 2 of Faizan-e-Farooq-e-A’zam, it is written: ‘The leader of the believers, the lion of Allah Almighty, Sayyiduna Ali رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ stated:

‘Once, the leader of the believers, Sayyiduna Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ requested before the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم: ‘O Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, inform me of what you saw in Paradise on the Night of Mi’raaj.’

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied, ‘O Umar Ibn-e-Khattab, if I were to remain amongst you for as long as Prophet Nuh عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام remained amongst his people (one thousand years) and told you about the events and observations of Paradise, they would still not end.

However, O Umar, as you have asked me to inform you of Paradise, I will tell you something that I have not told anyone else apart from you. (And that is) In Paradise, I saw a magnificent palace; its foundations were in the land of Paradise, and its highest part was in the midst of the throne of Allah Almighty.

I asked Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام, ‘O Jibraeel, do you know about this magnificent palace whose foundations are in the land of Paradise, and its highest part is in the midst of the throne of Allah Almighty?’

Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام replied, ‘O Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, I do not know.’

I asked, ‘O Jibraeel, the light of this palace is like the light of the sun on earth. At least tell me, who will arrive at it and reside therein?’

So, Sayyiduna Jibraeel عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام answered: