‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn came to Madīnah and stayed with his nephew Al-Hurr ibn Qays who was among the people close to ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). The Qur’anic reciters, old or young, had the privilege of joining ‘Umar's council and he used to consult them. ‘Uyaynah said to Al-Hurr: "My nephew, you are privileged in the sight of the Commander of the Believers. So, seek permission for me to sit with him?" Al-Hurr asked ‘Umar and he granted permission. When ‘Uyaynah came into the presence of ‘Umar, he addressed him thus: "O son of Al-Khattāb, By Allah, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly." ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) got so angry that he was about to beat him. Thereupon, Al-Hurr said: ''O Commander of the Believers! Allah said to His Prophet: ﴿Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorants﴾ [Al-A‘rāf: 199]. Indeed, this one is from the ignorants." By Allah! ‘Umar stood committed to the verse when Al-Hurr recited it, as he always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.
شرح الحديث :
The noble Companion ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) informs us what happened to the Commander of the Believers ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) when ‘Uyaynah ibn Hisn, of high status among his people, came to see him in Madīnah. ‘Uyaynah began his speech in a disrespectful manner and then criticized and rebuked ‘Umar, saying: “You neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly.” As a result, ‘Umar became so furious that he was about to beat him; however, some of the Qur’anic reciters, including ‘Uyaynah’s nephew, Al-Hurr ibn Qays, stood up and addressed the rightly guided caliph ‘Umar, saying: “O Commander of the Believers! Allah said to His Prophet: ﴿Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorants﴾ [Al-A‘rāf: 199]. This one is from the ignorants.” ‘Umar stood committed to that verse and suppressed his anger, as he always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah. So, he refrained from beating this man in compliance with the verse that was recited to him. This is how the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to show politeness and respect towards the Book of Allah. They would not violate its commands and teachings. Whenever it was said to them, “this is the word of Allah,” they would submit to it, no matter what.