Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Uyainah bin Hisn came to Al-Madinah and stayed with his nephew Hurr bin Qais who was among those whom Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) showed favour to. The knowledgeable people (Qurra), whether they were old or young, had the privilege of joining Umars council and he used to consult them. Uyainah said to Hurr: "My nephew, the Leader of the Believers shows favour to you. Will you obtain permission for me to sit with him?" Hurr asked `Umar and he accorded permission. When `Uyainah came into the presence of `Umar, he addressed him thus: "O son of Khattab, you neither bestow much on us nor deal with us justly." `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) got angry and was about to beat him up when Hurr said: "O Leader of the Believers, Allah said to His Prophet (PBUH): { Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e., dont punish them).} (7:199) This one is from the ignorants." When Hurr recited this, `Umar became quite motionless in his seat. He always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah.[Al-Bukhari].
Commentary:
1. In this Hadith, the word `Qurra' does not stand for the kind of the `Qurra' (reciters) of the present age who are only professional in the art of reciting the Qur'an and have a melodious voice, but what it really meant was the class of scholars who were well-versed in its meanings and implications and who could thoroughly distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful, fair and foul. Such men used to be the companions of the early noble caliphs. It leads to the conclusion that rulers should choose their advisors from religious scholars and not from those who are given to the world and whose sole aim in life is to amass wealth rather than care about the welfare of the people and whose advice is based on selfish motives and vested interests. 2. Since scholarship and piousness are the foremost qualifications for counsellors and advisors, there is no restriction of age for them. 3. The ruler should always be very considerate and tolerant. 4. The ruler should never hesitate from accepting truth and righteousness.
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