49/18. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 3687 — Milk Interpreted as Knowledge
Regarding The Virtues Of Abu Hafs 'Umar bin Al-Khattab, May Allah Be Pleased With Him
Hadith About Milk, Knowledge, and Umar ibn al-Khattab
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 3687
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 3687
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، رضى الله عنهما قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " رَأَيْتُ كَأَنِّي أُتِيتُ بِقَدَحٍ مِنْ لَبَنٍ فَشَرِبْتُ مِنْهُ فَأَعْطَيْتُ فَضْلِي عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ " . قَالُوا فَمَا أَوَّلْتَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " الْعِلْمَ " .هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah (ﷺ) Said: 'I Saw That I Was Brought A Cup Of Milk, So I Drank From It, And I Gave My Leftover To 'Umar Bin Al-Khattab.' They Said: 'So What Did You Interpret It As O Messenger Of Allah?' He Said: '(It Is) Knowledge.'
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3687In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 83English translation : Vol. 1, Book 46, Hadith 3687
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 3687
This hadith about Umar and knowledge is often searched as milk interpreted as knowledge hadith, Prophet gave milk to Umar, and virtues of Umar ibn al-Khattab. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said that he saw a cup of milk brought to him. He drank from it and gave his leftover to Umar bin al-Khattab. When the companions asked how he interpreted it, he said: knowledge. The explanation should stay close to the text. The milk in the vision was interpreted by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم himself as knowledge. So the narration points to Umar receiving a share of knowledge after the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم drank first. It is a clear praise without needing extra details.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم interpreted the milk in the vision as knowledge.
- Umar is shown receiving the Prophet’s leftover from the cup.
- The hadith connects Umar with a share of knowledge.
- When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explains a symbol, that explanation is the one to follow.
