Ali Ibn Abi Talib - Volume 1 of 2

'Ali ibn Abi Tcilib 575
to spread knowledge. He travelled a great deal, and he died at a
relatively late stage.
He was also very close to 'Umar (&);I4' he attracted special
attention from 'Umar (&), who saw in him signs of smartness,
intelligence and alertness. He used to bring him close to him in his
gatherings, and he would consult him and ask his opinion about
verses he was not sure about, even when Ibn 'Abbb was still a young
man. This had a great impact on him and motivated and encouraged
him to acquire knowledge, progress fnrther and achieve more in
commentary on the Qur'an and in other fields. It was narrated from
'Amir ash-Sha'bi that Ibn 'Abb& (&) said: "My father said to me:
'0 my son, I see that Amir al-Mu'mineen ('Umar) brings you close
and discusses some matter with you only and also consults you along
with other Companions of the Messenger of Allah. So learn three
things from me: fear Allah and do not disclose his secrets, never tell
lies to him and do not backbite about anyone in his presence."'14z
'Umar (&) used to include him with the senior Companions, and
that was because be saw in him deep knowledge, clear thinking and
subtle understanding in deriving rulings. Ibn 'Abbh (&) said:
"Umar used to ask me along with the Companions of Muhammad
(g). He used to say to me: 'Do not speak until they have spoken,'
then when I spoke, be would say to them: 'You have disappointed me
by not being able to come up with what this boy, who is still not yet
mature, has come up with.
,,,I43
Ibn 'Ahb& was very polite, so when
he sat in a gathering in which there were people older than him, he
would not speak unless permission was given to him. 'Umar (&)
saw that in him, so he urged him to speak, in order to give him
confidence and encourage him to seek kn0w1ed~e.l~~
'Umar (&) had a gathering in which he would listen to young
people and teach them. Ibn 'Abbh was one of 'Umar's favonrites. It
was narrated that 'Abdur-R- ibn Zayd said: "When 'Umar ibn