In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.
Dear Brothers and Sisters! A little boy came running to his mother crying with a request:
“Jarir and Mughiz have both got new clothes for Eid! Please, can I have some new clothes as well?”
The mother picked him up and wiped his tears.
Their mother, Fatimah Bint Abdul Malik (RA), was no ordinary woman. Her father, grandfather and each of her four brothers were at one time or another Caliph and leader of the Muslim Ummah. In fact, her own husband was the present Caliph, Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz (RA) – who ruled the world’s largest empire that stretched from the Atlantic to the Indian oceans. She promised him that she would check with his father to see if he could have new clothes for Eid.
When Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz returned home, his wife related her sons request to him. The Caliph had a pained look in his eyes. “Fatimah, you know how much I value my children, but all the money I have is in front of you”, he said motioning towards the sparsely furnished hut.
Though a Caliph, Umar took care to live honestly and did much to ensure justice. Fatimah agreed with her husband, but she said that maybe it would be possible to buy very cheap clothes for him and he would just be happy with something new to wear. The tears have left stains on his cheeks. Finally, the Caliph, saddened by the plight, agreed and wrote a letter to his treasurer requesting that his pay be advanced a month early so that he could buy his child something to wear on Eid.
But the honest and pious Caliph had an equally honest treasurer who wrote a letter in reply to the Caliph. The Caliph read the letter with tears flowing from his eyes:
“Ya Amirul Mu’mineen, I have great respect for you and I trust and obey you completely. However, if you could guarantee to me that you will live through the next month and do your service to the people (which will entitle you to your pay) then the money can be advanced to you. If you cannot give the assurance of your life, then how can the treasury pay you and why are you taking the rights of the poor, orphans and widows onto your shoulders?”
Caliph Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz realised his mistake. Fatimah bint Abdul Malik, washed the old clothes. The day of Eid arrived and the whole area of Damascus was buzzing with joy and celebration with people clad in their new clothes. Caliph Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz also set out for the Eid Prayer holding his son by the hand, both father and son wearing their clean old clothing. The young boy’s face shone brightly, as he walked alongside his father, convinced that the eternal pleasure and comforts of Jannah (Paradise) are by far superior to the comforts of this temporary world.
One has to wonder if they were made from the same dust as us. Once we (Muslims) were kings and leaders on this Earth, but it wasn’t because we were large in number that we were respected. It wasn’t because we were powerful that we were victorious. It wasn’t because we were successful that we were admired. It wasn’t because our women were beautiful that they were treated with honour and dignity. It wasn’t because we were intelligent that our example was emulated. It wasn’t because of our power militarily, economically or politically. It was all due to the faith and our adherence to the religion of Islam sincerely. Sometimes, it’s worthwhile reflecting on how far we’ve fallen so we know how high we need to climb.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our Noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.
Wassalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullah wa bara ka tuhu
Your Brother:
Imam Murtadha Muhammad Gusau, from Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusaumurtada@gmail.com or +2348038289761.
