Hadith No: 2
Ibn Abi al-Hadid - Sharh Nahj al-Balagha
Volume: (3) - Page Number: (20 > 23)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... As for the dismissal of the Commander of the Faithful, peace be upon him, of some of his commanders when certain incidents arose, such as al-Qaqa' ibn Shur and others,
and likewise the dismissal of Umar of Qudamah ibn Mazyun when he bore witness against him for drinking alcohol and flogging him, this is not comparable to what was mentioned earlier, as each of those we mentioned was appointed only from among those who appeared well to him and to the people, and who were not known for playing or notorious for corruption.
- .... My companions are like stars; whichever of them you follow, you will be guided: we did not see him say this, but rather he submitted to God's decree, the Exalted, and here is one who is more worthy than al-Mughira and better,
Qudamah ibn Mazyun, who drank alcohol during the days of Umar, and Umar upheld the punishment on him. He is a man from the elite of the companions and from the People of Badr, and those promised paradise, yet Umar did not prevent him from bearing witness or avert the punishment from him, perhaps because he was a Badrite, nor did he say: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) forbade mentioning the faults of the companions.