Caution: Translations of Quran and Ḥadīth may lead to possible misapplications and misinterpretations. This site is intended for students of sacred knowledge that are proficient in comprehending classical Arabic and have a strong foundation in Islamic sciences. Also note that religious injunctions rely on several aspects beyond what one may glean through reading individual aḥādīth.
suyuti:2-617bal-Suddiá Fiá Qawlih Taʿālá Kuntum Khayr Ummah > ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb Law Shāʾ Allāh
Request/Fix translation

  

السيوطي:٢-٦١٧b

"عَنِ السُّدِّى فِى قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى: {كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ} قَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ: لَوْ شَاءَ الله لَقَالَ: أَنْتُمْ، فَكُنَّا كُلُّنَا، وَلَكِنْ قَالَ: كُنْتُمْ فِى خَاصَّةِ أَصْحَابِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَمَنْ صَنَعَ مِثْلَ صَنِيعهِمْ كَانُوا خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ للِنَّاسِ".  

ابن جرير، وابن أبى حاتم