The prince of flatulence

Question:

How did Umar make a name for himself as the prince of flatulence?

Answer:

Abdullah Ibn Muslim reported that Ali Ibn Muhammad Al-Mada’ini said: “When Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him, had ascended the pulpit, he himself noticed that a fart had been emitted. So he said: “O you men, I hesitated between fearing you for God and fearing God for you, but I preferred to fear God for you. Behold, I have left a fart, therefore I descend to repeat the prayer wash.” [Uyun-ul-Akhbar of Ibn Qutaibah, Volume 1 page 267]

عن عبد الله بن مسلم الدينوري عن علي بن محمد المدائني قال: بينا عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه على المنبر إذ أحس من نفسه بريح خرجت منه فقال: أيها الناس إني قد ميلت بين أن أخافكم في الله وبين أن أخاف الله فيكم فكان أن أخاف الله فيكم أحب إلي ألا وإني قد فسوت وهأنذا أنزل لأعيد الوضوء

Comment:

Umar apparently did not have the heart to repeat the prayer washing without informing the people about the scents he emitted.