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Once Hazrat Omar Farouq
"May Allah be pleased with him", the Second Caliph, set on trip to Syria along
with his servant. It was a long journey and they had only one camel. No troop or guard was accompanying them to protect the Caliph.
Based on the justice in
Islam, Hazrat Omar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to take turn with
the servant in riding the camel-then one of the best transportation vehicle.
Upon approaching the city
in Syria,
it was the turn of the servant to ride on the camel, so he (the servant)
insisted on the Caliph to remain riding, because they were nearing the
destination:
"The city is
approaching. The people would have assembled to welcome you. So it is more
appropriate that you keep on riding the camel." he requested the
Caliph. But the Caliph of Muslims did not accept the suggestion, because
it was contrary to the just spirit of Islam. He held Islamic rules of justice
higher than his personal needs. So the servant embarked on the camel and next,
the caliph was going in front of the camel, with a rope of the
camel's bridle in his hand.
When they reached the
city, the people who had gathered to welcome the Caliph of the
Muslims, thought the rider on the camel was the Caliph, and the pedestrian, the
servant. So they rushed to shake the hands of the servant, giving him a hearty
welcome. The servant would take pardon, gesturing that he was not the caliph
but Hazrat Omar did not accept his gestures to tell the people he was the
Caliph. No wrinkle of egoism spread on his forehead. So the people kept on
welcoming the servant in place of the caliph until the governor of Syria hugged
the Caliph. The people flabbergasted. They did not think that a caliph of such
a vast land would be so modest and humble to be going pedestrian in front of
the camel of his servant while the latter is riding.
Surprised by the hug of the
governor, the people asked him why he welcomed the servant, leaving the caliph.
"The rider is servant
and the pedestrian is the caliph" said the governor.
The shocked and amazed
people, seeing the justice and equality in Islam, admitted the veracity of the
religion and collectively converted to Islam in thousands. .
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By: Brother Suhail Lamar
MuslimBridges Correspondent - Afghanistan / Pakistan
This article is posted in the Weekly Bridge Publication: Features, Reflections, Stories should not be told, Film in a spoon, Book in a Spoon, Letters to Editor, Video Basket
Reflections
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