THE PIETY OF CALIPH UMAR II (RAHIMAHULLAH)

One day, Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz (Rahimahullah) ordered his servant to boil some water for him. The servant went out and boiled the water in the public kitchen. When the Caliph found out, he ordered his servant to take a dirham's worth of wood to replace the wood that had been used from the public service to boil the Caliph's water.

The Caliph used to light a candle when he was working on the affairs of the Muslims. As soon as he finished his public duties, he would extinguish it and light his own candle.

Hadhrat Abu Jarraah Ibn Abdullah wrote to Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (Rahimahullah): "The people of Khurasan are a rebellious community, and indeed, nothing will correct them except the sword and the scourge. May I therefore ask the permission of the Commander of the Believers to use them freely?"

The Caliph replied: "I have received your letter, which says that the people of Khurasan are a disorderly community and that nothing but the sword and the scourge will correct them. However, there you are mistaken. For justice and truth will correct them; thus, spread these qualities in their land, and peace be upon you."

[English version of "La piété du calife Oumar (r.a)" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 3]