91/29. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 7020 — Umar’s Strong Pull at the Well
Drawing one or two buckets of water from a well
Hadith About Umar Drawing Water with Strength
Sahih Bukhari : 7020
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 7020
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ رُؤْيَا النَّبِيِّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ قَالَ " رَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ اجْتَمَعُوا فَقَامَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَنَزَعَ ذَنُوبًا أَوْ ذَنُوبَيْنِ، وَفِي نَزْعِهِ ضَعْفٌ وَاللَّهُ يَغْفِرُ لَهُ، ثُمَّ قَامَ ابْنُ الْخَطَّابِ، فَاسْتَحَالَتْ غَرْبًا فَمَا رَأَيْتُ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَفْرِي فَرْيَهُ، حَتَّى ضَرَبَ النَّاسُ بِعَطَنٍ ".
Narrated Salim's father: about the Prophet's dream in which he has seen Abu Bakr and `Umar: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I saw (in a dream) that the people had gathered. Then Abu Bakr stood up and pulled out one or two buckets full of water (from a well) and there was weakness in his pulling -- may Allah forgive him. Then Ibn Al- Khattab stood up, and the bucket turned into a very large one and I have never seen any strong man among the people doing such a hard job. He pulled out so much water that the people (drank to their satisfaction) and watered their camels to their fill, (and then after quenching their thirst) they sat beside the water."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 7020In-book reference : Book 91, Hadith 37USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 9, Book 87, Hadith 147
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 7020
This hadith about Umar drawing water with strength is another wording of the Prophet’s dream about Abu Bakr and Umar. The people gathered, then Abu Bakr stood and drew one or two buckets, with weakness in his pull, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said Allah would forgive him. After that Ibn Al-Khattab stood, and the bucket turned into a large one. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said he had not seen anyone perform such a hard task like Umar, until the people drank and watered their camels, then sat beside the water. The hadith gives a picture of benefit reaching a group through strong effort. It also keeps Abu Bakr’s mention joined with Allah’s forgiveness.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Bakr’s effort is mentioned with the Prophet’s prayer for forgiveness.
- Umar’s strength in the dream is described in clear words.
- The water benefited the people and their animals.
- The report shows dreams being used to point to public benefit.
