Caliph Al-farooq Hazrat Umar ibn Al Khattab (RA) - Page 9

imbindas · #81 Thursday, May 26, 2011

to preserve the Holy Qur’an

There were hundreds of Huffaz (i.e., those who committed the whole Holy Qur’an to memory) among the Companions during the life-time of the Holy Prophet but it had not been compiled in the form of a book. The memorization of the Holy Quran continued even after the passing away of the Holy Prophet into the Divine Realm. In various battles, which took place against rebels and false prophets, a number of Huffaz Companions were martyred. In the battle against Musailimah al-Khad-dhab about seventy Huffaz had died. It then occurred to Hazrat ‘Umar that necessary steps should be taken to preserve the Holy Qur’an intact in its original form against every kind of danger and it was not wise to depend exclusively upon those who had learnt it by heart. Therefore, he urged Hazrat Abu Bakr to put it in the form of a book. Other Companions also agreed with Hazrat ‘Umar’s opinion but Hazrat Abu Bakr hesitated in the beginning because it was not done by the Holy Prophet. However after some discussion he agreed to it and appointed Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit for this work who was hesitant at first but later, he too agreed and began the work. Hazrat Umar’s initiation of the idea of compiling the Holy Quran in the form of a “mus-haf” as we see it today is a great contribution to Islam and a great sign that not all new acts in Islam are blameworthy as some schools of thought allege.

imbindas · #82 Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Salat-ut-Tarawih

The Salat-ut-Tarawih (special superogatory daily prayers performed in the Holy month of Ramadan), which was conducted occasionally during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet , was eventually established as a regular congregational practice throughout the month of Ramadan during the days of Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab . This accounts for the fact that it is often attributed to Khalifa Umar , on the grounds that he was the first to organize its performance along these lines. Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah ennoble his face) is reported as having said:

“Umar ibn al-Khattab would never have taken such a serious interest in these Tarawih prayers, if it had not been for a certain saying of the Prophet :

‘Around the Heavenly Throne, Allah (Exalted is He) maintains an area called the Enclosure of Sanctity, which consists of radiant light. So many are the angels within its confines, that none but Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) could ever add up their total number. These angels are utterly devoted to the worshipful service of Allah (Exalted is He) and they never take a moment to relax. When the nights of the month of Ramadan come around, they ask their Lord for permission to descend by turns to the earth below, where they perform the ritual prayers together with the children of Adam. Whenever any member of the Community of Muhammad (prayers and peace of Allah be upon Him) is touched by them, or touches them, that person will experience such blissful happiness and good fortune that he will never again feel miserable or suffer distress.’

imbindas · #83 Thursday, May 26, 2011

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) and the Fear of Allah.

Umar (Iiadhiyallaho anho) would often hold a straw in
his hand and say:
"I wish I were a straw like this."
Sometimes he would say: -8e: a
"I wish my mother had not given birth to me." m3 m
Once he was busy with some important work when a
person came to him and, complaining about some petty
grievance, requested for its redress. Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho
anho) laid a lash across his shoulders, saying:
"When I sit for that purpose, you do not come to me
but when I am engaged in other important work you
come with your grievances to interrupt me."
The person walked away. But Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho
anho) sent for him and, handing his whip over to him,
said:
"You now lash me to even the matter."
He said: "I forgive you for the sake of Allah."
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) went home, prayed a
Salaat of two rakaats in repentance and upbraided himself
saying:
"0,U mar! You were low but Allah elevated you. You
were wandering astray but Allah guided you. You were
base but Allah ennobled you and gave you sovereignty
over His people. Now one of them comes and asks you
for redress of the wrong done to him, and you beat
him? What answer have you to give before Allah?"
He kept on chiding himself thus for a very long time.

imbindas · #84 Thursday, May 26, 2011

Once Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) was going on
his usual round 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. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho)
greeted her with salaam and, with her permission, went
near her.
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 (Radhiyallaho
anho) and me, on the Day of
Judgement, 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 Amir, he must keep
himself informed about us."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) returned to the
towd and straightway went to Baitul-Ma1 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-Mo'mineen! I shall carry this
sack."
'Umar refused to listen to Aslam, even on his persistant requests
to allow him to carry the sack, and remarked:
"What! Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgement?
I must carr this bag, for it is I who would be
questioned (in the l I ereafter) about this woman."
Aslam most reluctantly placed the bag on Umar's (Radhiyallaho
anho) 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
aver 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 re- 8 3
marked: .E 4 mS m
"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."
It is said that Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) while
leading Fajr Salaat used to recite 'Kahf', 'Taha' and other
such Soorahs in his Salaat, and would weep so much that
his crying could be heard way back to several rows. Once
he was reciting Surah 'Yusuf' in Fajr. When he came to the
verse:
"I only plead for my distress and anguish unto Allah,"
(XII: 86)
he wept so much that he could not recite any further. In
Tahajjud, he would sometimes fall to the ground and
would get indis osed with excessive weeping.
Such was t Ee fear of Allah in Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho
anho) whose name struck terror in the hearts of the
mightiest monarchs of his time. Even today, the people are
filled with awe when they read about him. Is there any
person in power today who is prepared to show such kindness
to the people in his charge?

imbindas · #85 Thursday, May 26, 2011

Hadhrat 'Umar's (Radhiyallaho anho) Daily Allowance

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) also lived by
trade. When he was made Khalifah after Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(Radhivallaho anho), he assembled the people and said to
them:
"I earned my living through trade. As you people have
engaged me as Khalifah, I cannot attend to my business.
Now, what about my living?"
Different amounts of daily allowance from the Bait-ul-Mal
were suggested by different people. Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho
anho) did not speak. 'Umar inquired of him:
"Oh Ali! what is vour suggestion?"
He replied:
"I suggest that you should take such amount as may be
on average be sufficient for vour family."
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) accepted his suggestion
and a moderate amount was fixed as his daily allowance.
Later on. some people including Hadhrat Ali. Hadhrat
Usman, Hadhrat Zubair and Hadhrat Talhah (Radhivallaho
anhum) once proposed that Hadhrat Umar's (Kadhiyallaho
anho) allowance might be increased, as it was hardlv sufficient
for him. but nobody dared to suggest that to Hadhrat
'Umar (Kadhiyallaho anho). People approached Ummulmomineen
Hadhrat Hafsah (radhivallaho anha), his daughter,
and requested her to ascertain 'Umar's (Kadhivallaho
anho) reaction to the suggestion without mentioning their
names to him. When Hadhrat Hafsah (Kadhiyallaho anha)
talked about it to tladhrat IJmar (Kadhivallaho anho), he
became angry and said:
"Who are the persons making this suggestion?"
Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha):
"Let me first know your opinion."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"If I knew them, I would smite them on their faces
I-jafsah! just tell me what was the Prophet's best dress
in your house?"
Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha):
"It was a pair of reddish brown clothes, which the
Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) wore on Friday or
while receiving some envoy."

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"What was the best of food that the Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam) ever took at your house?"
Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha):
"Simple barley bread was the only food we used to
take. One day I anointed a piece of bread with the sediments
from an empty butter tin, and he ate it with
relish and offered it to others as well."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
What was the best bedding that the Prophet ever used
in your house?"
Hadhrat Hafsah (Radhiyallaho anha):
"It was a piece of thick cloth. In the summer it was
spread in four layers, and in the winter in two, half he
spread underneath and with the other half he covered
himself ."
Hadhrat mar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Hafsah! Go and tell these people that the Prophet
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has set a standard by his
personal example. I must follow him. My example and
that of my other two companions viz., the Prophet
(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and Abu Bakr (Radhivallaho
anho) is like that of three men travelling on the
same road. The first man started with a provision and
reached the goal. The second followed the first and
joined him. Now the third is on his way. If he follows
their way, he will also join them, otherwise he can
never reach them;'
Such is the life of the person who was a dread for the
monarchs of the world. What a simple life he lived! Once
he was reciting the Khutbah when it was noticed that his
lower cloth had as many as twelve patches, including one
of leather. Once he came late for his Jumu'ah prayer and
told the congregation:
"Excuse me, people! I got late because I was washing
my clothes and had no other clothes to put on."
Once he was having his meal when 'Utbah bin Abi
Farqad (Radhiyallaho anho) asked permission to see him.

He allowed him in and invited him to share the food with
him. 'Utbah (Radhiyallaho anho) started eating, but the
bread was so coarse that he could not swallow it. He said:
"Why don't you use fine flour for your bread,
'Umar?"
Mesaid: "Can every Muslim afford fine flour for his
bread?"
'Utbah replied, "No. Everybody cannot afford it."
He remarked, "Alas! You wish to fulfill all my pleasures
while I am in this world."

imbindas · #86 Thursday, May 26, 2011

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) vomits out milk of Sadaqah:

A person once brought some milk for Hadhrat Umar
(Radhiyallaho anho). When he took it, he noted its queer
taste, and asked the person as to how he had come in possession
of the milk. He replied:
"The camels given in Sadaqah were grazing in the
desert, and the attendants gave me this milk out of
what they got from them."
LJpon this. I-iadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) put his hand
in his throat and vomited all that he had taken.
These God-fearing people not only totally abstained
from 'haraam' food. but were most anxious to avoid anv
doubtful morsel finding its way inside them. They could .c
not dare taking anything that was 'haraam', which is so 2~
usual these days.

imbindas · #87 Friday, May 27, 2011

Hadhrat Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) does not like his wife to weigh musk

I-ladhrat (Jmar (Kadhiyallaho anhn) once received some
nli~skfr om Bahrain. I-le said:
"I tvant someone to weigh it, so that it mav be equally
distri1)uted among the Muslims.'
llis ~viits?a id: "1 shall weigh it.."
tiiiclhriit Umar (Kadhivallaho anho) kept quiet. A little later
ht: again asked for someone to weigh the musk, and again
his wife volullteered to do so. But he kept quiet this tiine
too. C'lrhen she repeated her offer for the third time, he said:
"I do not like your touching the musk with your hands
(while weighing it) and rubbing those hands on your
body afterwards, as that would amount to something
over and above my legitimate share."
Any other person weighing the musk would, for that
matter, have had the same advantage, but Hadhrat Umar
(Radhiyallaho anha) did not like this preference particularly
for any member of his own family. Look at this scrupulous
anxiety to avoid charge of selfishness.
A similar story is related about Hadhrat Umar bin
Abdul Aziz (Rahmatullah alaih) (who is known as the
second Umar). While he was holding the reins of the Khilafat,
musk belonging to the Bait ul-Maal was being weighed.
He closed his own nostrils, with the remark:
"The use of musk is to smell it."
These were the scruples of the Sahabah, and their successors,
and our elders in Islam.

imbindas · #88 Friday, May 27, 2011

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) trying to emulate
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho):

Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates:
"Once the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) asked
for contributions in the path of Allah. In those days, I
was in possession of some wealth. I mused thus, 'Time
and again Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) has surpassed
me in spending for the sake of Allah. I shall by the
Grace of Allah surpass him this time, because I have
just now some wealth with me to spend'. I went home
buoyant with the idea. I divided my whole property
into two exactly equal parts. One I left for my family,
and with the other I rejoined the Prophet (Sallallaho
alaihe wasallam), who accosted me thus:
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam):
'Did you leave anything for your family, 'Umar?'
'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
'Yes, 0 Prophet of '4llah.'
The Prophet (Sallallahd alaihe wasallam):
'How mu~h'?'
'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
'Exactly one-half.'
By and by, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho) came
along with his load. It transpired that he had brought
everything that he possessed.
This is what I heard: '
The Prophet (Sa/lallaho alaihe wasallam):
'What did you leave for your family, Abu Bakr?'
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho):
'I have left Allah and his Prophet for them.'
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) says that on that day
he admitted to himself that he could never hope to surpass
Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiyallaho anho).
Allah says in his Holy Book.
"Vie one with another in good works (V:48)."
Such healthy emulation in sacrifice is therefore quite

imbindas · #89 Friday, May 27, 2011

Hadhrat 'Urnar's (Radhiyallaho anho) wife acts as a
midwife:

Amir-ul-Mominin Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho),
during the time of his Khilafat, used to patrol the streets
and suburbs of Madinah himself during the night to keep a
watch. During one of his night-patrols, he noticed a camelhair
tent pitched in an open space. He had never seen this
particular tent before. Approaching the tent, he found an
individual sitting outside, and heard a sort of groan coming
out of the tent. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) greeted
the stranger with "Assalaam-o-alaikum" and sat down
beside him.
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Whence brother?"
The person:
"I am from the desert, and a stranger to this place. I
have come to request Amir-ul-Momnin for some help
in my need."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Who is there groaning like this inside the tent?"
The person:
"Please mind your own business."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Do tell me please. May be that I can help you."
The Derson:
"If you must know, inside there is my wife groaning
with labour pains."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Is there anybody else to attend her?"
The person:
"No one."
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho), thereupon, got up
and hurried homewards. He broached the subject to his
wife Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha) thus:
"Allah has brought you an opportunity to receive great
blessings."
Wife: ' "What is it, 0, Amir-ul-Mominin?"
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Yonder, a poor woman of the desert is in child birth,
with none to attend her."
Wife:
"I am ready to attend her, if it may please you so."
Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anho) was after
all the daughter of Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anho),
and grand-daughter of the Prophet; how could she hesitate
at the time of such need of a forlorn sister, such a service
and a devotion which Allah loves best?
Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho):
"Then you should make all due haste. Also take a pan,
some butter, provisions and other things needed
during the child birth."
Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anho) did as she
was bidden and left for the place where the tent was
pitched. Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) followed her
close. She entered the tent, while Hadhrat 'Umar (Radhiyallaho
anho) made a fire and occupied himself with
cooking something which those people could eat. After
some time, Hadhrat Umme-Kulsum (Radhiyallaho anha)
called out from inside the tent,
"Amir-ul-Mominin, congratulate your friend on the
birth of a son."
The person was much embarrassed when he heard the address
of 'Amir-ul-Mominin' and realized the position of the
person who had been serving him. But Hadhrat 'Umar
(Radhiyallaho anho) put all his fears to rest, saying:
"That is all right, there is nothing to worry about."
He then placed the pan near the tent, asking his wife to
take it and feed the woman. She fed her and returned the
pan. Then Hadhrat U'mar (Radhiyallaho anho) asked the
bedouin to partake of the food, as he had kept awake the
whole night.
Having rendered this service, Hadhrat U'mar (Kadhiyallaho
anho) returned home with his wife, telling the person
"Come to me tomorrow, and I shall see what I can do for
you."
Is there any king, nay a petty chief, or even an ordinary
middle class person of our time, who will thus take his
wife out at the dead of night, and out in the wilderness, to
attend a poor strange woman, while he himself gladly engages
in making a fire and cooking food. Leave the worldly
rich aside, how many of the religious people would do
that? We should realize that unless we really follow in the
footsteps of those God-fearing people whom we profess to
look up to as our models, we cannot deserve and wish for
the special blessings that Allah bestowed on them.

imbindas · #90 Sunday, May 29, 2011

Hadhrat 'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) gives up Eating
Dates.

In Badr, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was
sitting in a tent. He exhorted the Sahabah to fight, saying:
"Rise up and race one with another for a Paradise as
wide as are the Heavens and the Earth, prepared for
the Muttaqin."
Hadhrat 'Umair ibnul Humaam (Radhiyallaho anho) was
also listening to this. He exlaimed:
"Bakh! Bakh! (How wonderful)."
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) asked Hadhrat
'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) what he rneant by that exclamation.
He said: "I wish to be one of those for whom this Paradise
has been prepared."
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said:
"Rest assured, you are one of them."
Hadhrat 'Umair (Radhiyallaho anho) then took out a few
dates from his bag and began to eat. While he was eating,
he suddenly said:
"To wait till the dates finish will be a very long time. I
cannot do that."
Saying this, he threw away the dates, and with sword in
hand jumped into the battle-field and fought till he was
killed.
In fact, these people appreciated the value of Paradise,
for their Yaqeen was firm. If we too get that Yaqeen in our
hearts, nothing will be too difficult or too much for us.

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