The fearful gambler

Question:

Did Umar accept Islam for lack of alcohol and gambling, whereupon he hid in his house for fear of the idolaters?

Answer:

Abu l-Ala’ Al-Ma’arri writes: “Were not the companions all in error, after which they took a high position? Some reports say that Umar Ibnu l-Khattab left his house to join those who were gambling, but he found no one there. So he said: “Then i will go to the drunkards. Perhaps I will find some alcohol there.” But he found nothing there, and so he said: “Then I will set out and accept Islam.” [Risalat-ul-Ghufran, page 510]

قال أبو العلاء المعرّي: أليس الصحابة، عليهم رضوان الله، كلهم كان على ضلال، ثم نداركهم المقتدر ذو الجلال؟ وفي بعض الروايات أن عمر بن الخطاب خرج من بيته يريد مجمعا كانوا يجتمعون فيها للقمار، فلم يجد فيه أحدا فقال: لأذهبن إلى الخمار، لعلي أجد عنده خمرا. فلم يجد عنده شيئا. فقال: لأذهبن ولأسلمن

Zaid Ibn Abdillah reported that Abdullah Ibn Umar said: “When Umar was sitting fearfully in his house, As Ibn Wa’il As-Sahmi came to him, the father of Amr, and he was wearing a decorated coat and a silk shirt. He was one of the sons of Sahm, who were our allies in times of paganism. He said to him: “What is wrong with you?” Umar said: “Your people claim that if I accept Islam, they will kill me.” He said: “No one will harm you as long as I protect you.” Then Al-As went out and he met the people who were scattered around the area. He said: “Where are you going?” They said: “We want the son of Khattab who has converted.” He said: “You will not harm him.” So the people withdrew.” [Sahih-ul-Bukhari, Hadith 3651]

حدثني يحيى بن سليمان قال حدثني ابن وهب قال حدثني عمر بن محمد قال فأخبرني جدي زيد بن عبد الله بن عمر عن أبيه قال بينما هو في الدار خائفا إذ جاءه العاص بن وائل السهمي أبو عمرو عليه حلة حبرة وقميص مكفوف بحرير وهو من بني سهم وهم حلفاؤنا في الجاهلية فقال له ما بالك قال زعم قومك أنهم سيقتلوني إن أسلمت قال لا سبيل إليك بعد أن قالها أمنت فخرج العاص فلقي الناس قد سال بهم الوادي فقال أين تريدون فقالوا نريد هذا ابن الخطاب الذي صبا قال لا سبيل إليه فكر الناس