MUSJIDUL HAQ

Download PDF: [S] Hadrat’s ‘Umar’s Service to Creation

It is reported that it was a very cold night when Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – was walking around Madina Shareef doing his normal rounds of taking care of people. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – noticed that outside Madina Shareef there was a little tent which had been erected. At the entrance, there was an elderly person who also had an air of respectability to him. The person also looked like he had been travelling. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – greeted him and the person returned the greeting. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – also noticed that inside the tent, this person’s wife was also in labour. He asked the old man, “Is there anyone else besides you in this tent?”

The old person replied, “Besides my wife and besides Allah Almighty, no one else is with her.”

The great Muslim leader was extremely surprised at the trust, steadfastness  and patience of this person.

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then returned home and said to his wife, Sayyidah Umme Kulsum – may Allah be pleased with her, who was also the daughter of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ali – may Allah be pleased with him, that, “What do you have to say about untold blessing which is present.”

She asked him what this was. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – replied, “There is a female who is in extreme labour. Her husband is also quite old and besides Allah Almighty, they have no one else to help them. Gather all those things which a female would normally need at a time like this and I will also carry some food and provision for them”.

The both of them then collected whatever they needed and started to walk towards this tent. There was also a slight breeze and there was also a slight drizzle. In this condition, they reached the tent. Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar’s – may Allah be pleased with him – wife entered the tent and Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – sat near the doorway of this tent and prepared a fire. He placed the pot over the fire and it is said that the smoke could be seen going through his beard. In spite of this, he continued his task until the food was prepared.

In the meantime, his blessed wife had delivered the baby and had also dressed the little baby. She then came to the door of this tent and said, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! Please give this person the goods news of the birth of a son.”

When this old person heard this, that the title of “Ameerul Mo’mineen” was used, he was shocked and was in a state of complete awe. He then asked whether the great Muslim was really the leader of the Muslims and whether the lady inside his tent was really his wife. He was surprised that people of such eminence could actually do what they were doing. He also made a lot of Du’a for the both of them.

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – informed him, “There is no need for you to be fearful”.

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – then placed some food in a container and told him to take it to his wife. He also informed him that the next day they should visit him in Madina Shareef. As they went they could still hear the Du’a which was been made on their behalf by the couple.

When Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – reached home, he asked his blessed wife, “O Umme Kulsum! How did this incident appear to you?”

She replied, “O Ameerul Mo’mineen! May Allah give you immense blessing on our behalf for this act of yours. In future, if there is such incidents, I will also be prepared to help and assist. I am also always waiting to help and assist the creation of Allah Almighty. This is indeed a great blessing which the Allah Almighty has bestowed upon us.”

The next day, this person arrived at the blessed court of Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him. His head was also bowed at the immense favour which was done to him by the great Muslim leader and his wife. At the same time, he was also worried.

However, Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – informed him, “Do not consider it a burden.”

Thereafter, ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – nominated a special monthly allowance for the couple on behalf of the state. He also mentioned that they should remember him in their Du’as.” (ibn Jouzi)

This was the state of the past leaders of Islam. They considered it a duty upon themselves and upon their families to serve creation. They used to spend the entire night serving people and taking care of the needs of people. They did not consider it a burden but a sense of blessing and Divine Grace. This is the reason that people had such respect and regard for them. There was also no dispute which arose between them and their subjects.

Shaikh Saadi – may Allah be pleased with him – has also stated that: “Tariqah without serving creation is nothing. Even mere reading the Tasbeeh or getting the position of Sajdah is nothing, (if one is unable to be of service to creation).”