Abdul Aziz Dehlawi:
The house of Lady Zahra had become a gathering place for corrupt individuals, and in such a situation, observing courtesy was not necessary!
He argues: If the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a) threatened to burn the houses of those who abandoned the congregational prayer — which is among the emphasised Sunnahs — then why should it be impermissible to threaten burning the houses in such a case of corruption, whose spark could endanger the entire Muslim community and the whole religion? If the Prophet (s.a.w.a) entered the house of Lady Zahra because of decorative curtains and pictures, and did not leave until they were removed — and even entered the House of Allah for the same reason — then if Umar ibn Khattab, due to the presence of corrupters in that house, and the planning of seditious schemes there, threatened to burn it, what sin could be held against him?
At most, it can be said that observing etiquette did not suit this form of threat. However, evident it becomes that in such grave matters, no one observes courtesy — as proven by the act of Amir with Ayesha the Siddiqah, who was undoubtedly the beloved wife of the Messenger (s.a.w.a), the mother of the believers, and worthy of veneration by all creation. Therefore, anything done by Umar in accordance with the act of the Ma'sum should not become a subject of criticism and reproach.
📚 Tuhfa Ithna Ashariyyah – Nasihat al-Mu'minin wa Fazihat al-Shayatin, p. 593
