Download PDF: [S] Hadrat ‘Umar’s choice of Officials (Islamic story)

It is mentioned that Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – used to choose his governors and representatives with extreme care and caution. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – used to only choose those individuals who were independent of the public, who were noble, pure, pious and people who had a sincere intention to serve the Muslim Ummah. He also had be someone who had to first practise what he preached. He also had to be someone who first saw to the wellbeing his nation and community.

 

Due to the immense status and piety of the great Muslim leader, many of the leaders of their regions walked on the same path as Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him. They used to also wear patched clothing, eat rough barley bread and ride on simple donkeys.

 

One day, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – made a program to visit the house of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah – may Allah be pleased with him. This was his Minister of Finance.

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – mentioned this to him, he replied, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! I do not want that through me you should shed tears.”

 

However, the great Muslim insisted that he would certainly visit the house of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah – may Allah be pleased with him.

 

One day, without announcing, he entered the house of Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah – may Allah be pleased with him – and was shocked with that he saw. Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah – may Allah be pleased with him – only had one single Jubbah, a piece of sheep skin on the floor, a single basin which he used for eating and drinking and one basin to make Wudu with. Besides this, there was nothing else in the house of eminent companion. In fact, inside the house, it appeared as the house of the poorest of the poor.

 

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – saw this, he wept uncontrollably. When he saw this, Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarram – may Allah be pleased with him – remarked, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! Did I not inform prior to this that I did not want to be cause of your weeping?”

 

May Allah Almighty grace these blessed souls with immense Divine Blessing and Reward. There is no doubt that these blessed souls were symbols of guidance and greatness.

 

When these people left for any region, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – used to caution them. Do not ride on fancy Turkish horses. Do not eat soft and refined flour. Do not wear soft and thin clothing. Do not close your doors to the public and if you are guilty of these things, then you would be severely punished.

 

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – used to then walk with them out of the city.

 

Finally, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – used to inform them, “I have not nominated you to be the masters of the body and flesh of the Ummah of the Holy Prophet – may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Therefore do not use your whip on the Arabs and do not allow them to gather because they have a genuine grievance against you which was caused by you yourself.” (Al Khulud)