Childrens Own Page
Mutual Love between Umar [rta] and the Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)]
by Muhammad Yaqub Khan
The Light (Pakistan), 8th June 1937 Issue (Vol. 16, No. 22, p. 2)
Dear Children,
If Umar’s [rta] conversion to Islam was a miracle of the Word of God which instantaneously captivated his heart, his subsequent devotion to the Prophet’s [Muhammad (pbuh)] person was no less a miracle. Soon there grew up between the master and the disciple an attachment which is unique in the history of religion and which shows what a magnetism the Prophet carried about his great personality. The Prophet on his side had special affection for Umar, and even if anything was done by him which happened not to be after the Prophet’s heart, the Prophet would just smile the thing away.
One day the Prophet had it announced that whoever should recite the Kalimah would go straight to Heaven. While the announcement was being made at the beat of the drum, Umar was coming along from the opposite side. When he heard the announcement, he caught hold of the man, and giving him a few slaps, brought him to the Prophet.
“Who would care to do good deeds after hearing this?”
he protested. The Prophet expressed pleasure at this and praised his sagacity and courage of conviction.
One day the Prophet was going along accompanied by Umar. A Jew whom the Prophet owed some money as the price of dates which he had sold to him also happened to pass that way. He gave a pull to the sheet of cloth that the Prophet was wearing over his shoulders and demanded payment. This was too much for Umar, whose sword forthwith leapt out of the sheath to pay the Jew for his rudeness. The Prophet stayed his hand, saying:
“Why, Umar? The man has not pulled your sheet. Why should you get so upset?”
Upon this, Umar burst into tears, saying:
“O Prophet of God! Have I fallen so low that a wretch of a Jew should be rude to you and I should not feel it?”
“Blessed be thou,”
said the Prophet,
“O Aba Hafsa (father of Hafsa) that your heart is so full of the love of Islam and the Prophet.”
One day as the Prophet was sitting in his mosque in the midst of his Companions, two poets of the clan of Bani Tai came to him. These men had with the fire of their war songs roused many Bedouin clans to arms against Islam.
“Which of you is Muhammad?”
they asked. The Companions pointed to the Prophet.
Addressing him, they said:
“If Qais and Ad, the two poets of Bani Tai, should come to you, would you grant them pardon?”
The Prophet said he certainly would, whereupon they disclosed their identity.
There was, however, a wave of indignation against them among the Muslims when they came to know that these men were the notorious poets who had been the cause of inflicting so much suffering on Muslims. Umar, however, at once got up and embraced them.
“You are the men,”
he said,
“whom our Prophet has granted pardon.”
“Blessed be thou,”
said the Prophet,
“O Aba Hafsa (father of Hafsa), for thou art the refuge of the sinners.”
At the time of emigration to Medina, Umar was put in charge of the party of emigrants. On this occasion too he displayed his usual reckless courage. He did not quietly slip away with his men but first paid a visit to the Kabah where the Quraish were assembled. He made seven circumambulations and said two rakats of prayer. Then, addressing the Quraish chiefs, he said:
“Here goes Umar and goes fearlessly after facing you. If there is anyone who is sick of his life, let him come forward and prevent him. Let none say after this that Umar slipped off quietly.”
Hearing this, one of the Quraish replied:
“O son of Khattab! None can stop you. Go wherever you will. We shall be thankful to you if you leave us alone and go away.”
Hearing this, he came up to his small party and convoyed them under the eyes of the Quraish out of Mecca.
On arrival at Medina, Umar was accorded a great reception. Soon after, when the Prophet also arrived, he started the construction of the mosque in which he and the Prophet worked as common labourers along with other Muslims, carrying stones and mud on their heads.
Editor