ALMISKEENAH

 

 

Masjid Nabawi with the capacity to accommodate more than 250,000 faithful worshipers inside is always full for Juma’ah regardless of the time of the year. And for many months even the courtyard is overflowing bringing the total to close to the million mark, SubhanAllah. Insha’Allah, once the completion of the outdoor umbrella project along with the new eastern expansion is complete the numbers will increase even more.

I tried to find what the population was during the Caliphate of al-Farooq ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu but after many hours of searching could not locate such information. Do share with us if you know of such figures.

‘Umar ibn al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu was a leader who guided by word and deed, whose life was an inspiration in faith, motivation and correct understanding of Islam. His disposition is one of the storehouses of the Ummah’s treasures; a paragon of virtues as taught to him through our Beloved Prophet Sallahu alaihiu wasallam.

History has recorded the following khutbah by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu:

‘O people, some greed is poverty and some despair is richness. You amass that which you do not consume and you hope for that which you can never have. You have been given a respite in this world. At the time of the Messenger of Allah Ta’ala you were checked by the means of the Wahy (revelation) and whoever hid something was brought to account and whoever did something openly was brought to account. Show us the best of your behavior, and Allah Ta’ala knows what is in your hearts. If someone shows us one thing but claims that he is good in his heart, we will not believe him. If he shows us that he is outwardly good, we will think well of him. Remember that stinginess is one of the branches of hypocrisy, so spend, it is better for you.

…And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be successful.  (59:9)

O people, pay attention to the Hereafter and set your affairs straight; fear Allah your Lord, and do not dress your women in qubati garments, for although they are not see-through, they still show the shape. O people, I wish that I would be saved by a small margin, and I hope that if I live among you for a short time or a long time, I will do the right thing by you, Insha’Allah, so that each of the Muslims will continue to receive his right and his share of the wealth of Allah Ta’ala even if he stays in his house. Take care of the wealth that Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon you. A little provision acquired with kindness is better than a lot acquired through violence. Being killed is a way of death that could befall righteous and evildoers alike, and the martyr is the one who devotes himself for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. If any one of you wants to acquire a camel, let him choose one that is tall and big and strike it with a stick; if it does not flinch then let him buy it.’

Such universal words of wisdom. True richness is being content while true poverty comes with greed. And the basis of contentment is showing no interest in what other people have. Insha’allah we will be content if we practice this; whoever is content with what he has in indeed rich even if he is poor. While the one controlled by greed looking to what others have is poor, even if he has wealth because his wealth is not making him feel independent. Richness is richness of the heart, and common sense dictates that a person should not acquire more than he needs of his worldly wealth, and his worldly ambitions should not be attached to that which he does not possess; he should regard this world as something transient and not be deceived by its attractions and temptations, Insha’Allah.

‘Umar RadhiAllahu anhu used to check on the wives of the Prophet SallAhu alaihi wasallam and give generously to them. He would not eat any fine food of fruit without sending some of it to the wives of the Prophet SallAhu alaihi wasallam; the last one to whom he would send anything was Hafsah RadhiAllahu anha, his daughter, and if there was any shortfall, she would be the one whose share would be affected.

He also used to send their stipend to them, and the following is an account which took place with the Mothers of the Believers, Zaynab bint Jahsh RadhiAllahu anha. When ‘Umar had calculated the shares of the Muslims, he sent Zaynab bint Jahsh RadhiAllahu anha her share, which upon receiving it said: “May Allah forgive ‘Umar; my sisters are better able to handle a share like that than me.” They said, “This is all for you.” She said, “SubhanAllah” as she hid from behind a curtain saying, “Put it down and cover it with a cloak.” Then saying to Barzah bint Rafi RadhiAllahu anha: “Put your hand in and take a handful, and give it to Banu so and so (who were among her relatives and orphans).” She shared it out until there was a little left under the cloak, then Barzah RadhiAllahu anha said: “May Allah forgive you, O Mother of the Believers, by Allah we have a right to that.” She said, “You may have whatever is beneath this cloak.” She lifted up the cloak and found eighty-five dirhams. The she raised her hands towards heaven and said: “O Allah!, do not let me live until the next time ‘Umar distributes shares.” Then she dies, and she was the first of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam’s wives to join him, may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with her and all the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, Ameen.

May your Juma’ah be blessed with the aura of these giants from our past history, with lessons floating to the depths of the hearts that in turn infuses deeds with the same shining brilliant lights they emitted, Ameen. 

JUMA’AH MUBARAK! 

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.