By Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib
Listen to “Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه helping others” by Mawlana Junayd Makda Sahib
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه helping others
Once Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه was out on his usual rounds around Madeenah with his slave Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه.
When they reached an area just outside Madeenah known as Harra, they saw a fire at a distance. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said to his slave Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه, “There seems to be a camp. Perhaps, it is a caravan that could not enter Madeenah due to nightfall. Let’s go and check on them and arrange help for them if required.”
When they reached, they found a woman and some children. The children were crying. The woman had a pan of water over the fire. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه greeted her with salaam and, with her permission, went near her. (The woman didn’t recognize that it was Umar رضي الله عنه)
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said, “Why are these children crying?”
The woman replied saying they were hungry. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه asked, “What is in the pan?”
The woman replied, “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 Ta’ala will judge between Umar رضي الله عنه and me, on the Day of Judgment, for neglecting me in my distress.
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه was moved to tears saying, “May Allah Ta’ala have mercy on you! How can Umar رضي الله عنه know of your distress?”
The woman, replied, “When he is our Amir (leader), he must keep himself informed about us.”
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه returned to the town and straight away went to the Baitul Mal (treasury) to fill a sack with flour, dates, fat, and clothes, and also drew some money. When the sack was ready, he said to Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه, “Now put this sack on my back, Aslam.”
Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه, “No please, Amir-ul-Mumineen! I shall carry this sack.”
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه refused to listen to Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه and remarked, “Will you carry my load on the Day of Judgment? I must carry this bag, for it is I who will be questioned (in the hereafter) about this woman.”
Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه very reluctantly placed the bag on Sayyiduna Umar’s رضي الله عنه back, who carried it very quickly to the woman’s tent. Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه followed at his heels.
When they reached, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه himself placed 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.
Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه describing this is scene says, “I saw the smoke passing through his thick beard.”
After some time, the porridge was ready and Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه himself served it to the family. When they had eaten to their fill, Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه gave what was left over to the woman for their next meal. The children were very happy after their meal and began to play about very happily.
The woman felt very grateful and remarked, “May Allah Ta’ala reward you for your kindness! In fact, you deserve to take the place of khalifah instead of Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه.”
Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه 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 watched the children playing after which he returned to Madeenah. On his way back, he said to Sayyiduna Aslam رضي الله عنه, “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.”
Moral:
1) A person no matter how important he is should not feel shy to help others.
2) Those who are responsible must look after those under them or they will be questioned by Allah Ta’ala for this.
3) In serving others the more we can do, the more we should do, as this way we will attain more reward.
4) When we have done good for someone and made someone happy, there is no harm in feeling happy by seeing their happiness.
5) If someone points out a mistake or fault in us or in our job, rather than argue and prove them wrong, we should take action and do what we can to correct it and satisfy them. This way we will always become better and gain more reward.
To read the hadeeth lesson on ‘Try to benefit others’ Click here