"You deserve this more than Umar”

Written by Islamic Times

Once Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), during his caliphate, was going on his usual rounds towards Harrah (a suburb of Madinah) with his slave Aslam, when he saw a distant fire in the desert.

He said, "There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter the town due to night fall. Let's go and look after them and arrange for their protection during the night." When he reached there, he found a woman and some children. The children were crying.

The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) greeted her with peace and, with her permission, went near her. (The woman didn't recognise that it was Umar).. Umar, "Why are these children crying?" The Woman, "Because they are hungry." Umar, "What is in the pan?" The Woman, "Only water to soothe the children, so that they may go to sleep in the belief that food is being prepared for them.

Ah! Allah will judge between Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and me, on the Day of Judgment, for neglecting me in my distress." Umar (weeping), "May Allah have mercy on you! How can Umar know of your distress?" The Woman, "When he is our Ameer, he must keep himself informed about us." Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) returned to the town and straight away went to the Baitul Mal (House of Charity) to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat, and clothes, and also drew some money. When the sack was ready, he said to Aslam, "Now put this sack on my back, Aslam." Aslam, "No please, Amir-ul- Mu'mineen (prince of believers)! I shall carry this sack." Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistent requests to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked, "What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgment? I must carry this bag, for it is I who would be questioned (in the Hereafter) about this woman." Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (may Allah be pleased with him) back, who carried it with a swift pace right to the woman's tent. Aslam followed at his heels. He put a little flour and some dates and fat in the pan and began to stir. He blew (with his mouth) into the fire to kindle it. Aslam says, "I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard."

After some time, the pottage was ready. He himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, he made over to them the little that was left for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about merrily. The woman felt very grateful and remarked, "May Allah reward you for your kindness! In fact you deserve to take the place of Khalifah instead of Umar." Umar consoled her and said, "When you come to see the Khalifah, you will find me there." He sat for a while at a place close by and kept on watching the children. He then returned to Madinah. On his way back, he said to Aslam, "Do you know why I sat there, Aslam? I had seen them weeping in distress. I liked to see them laughing and happy for some time."

This is an example for all muslim imams and leaders of the muslim communities of today of the responsabilities that they bear as imam towards the jamaa` of the muslims.