Explanation

‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to consult people of wisdom and good reasoning about problematic issues. He used to let Ibn ‘Abbās, despite his young age, attend the gatherings along with the senior Companions and participants of the Battle of Badr. They were angry, however, that ‘Umar allowed Ibn ‘Abbās in and disregarded their own children. So, ‘Umar wanted to show them the status of Ibn ‘Abbās in knowledge, intelligence, and wits. He gathered them and invited him to the gathering. He recited Sūrat An-Nasr to them, which reads: {When there comes the help of Allah and the conquest, and you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, then proclaim the praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance} [Sūrat An-Nasr: 1-3]. When he asked them about its interpretation, some of them kept silent, while others said: “Allah, the Almighty, commands us to seek His forgiveness and to praise and exalt Him when He grants us victory and conquest.” However, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asking about the implicit significance of these verses, not their literal meaning. So, he put the question to Ibn ‘Abbās, and he said that the Sūrah was a sign of the Prophet’s imminent death, and Allah gave it to him as notice. {When there comes the help of Allah and the conquest}, meaning: the Conquest of Makkah; this is a sign of your impending death. {Then proclaim the praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.} Thereupon, ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “I know nothing about it save what you have said.” Thus, Ibn ‘Abbās’s merit became manifest.