Justice was such a hallmark in the life of Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin Khattaab (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), as well as his rule, that even his murderer testified to this fact. Hereunder are three incidents which reflect his level of justice as well as his prudency when dealing with the wealth of the public:

On one occasion some musk and ambergris (a type of perfume) arrived from Bahrain. (As it was public wealth,) Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said, “By Allah! I wish to find a woman who is proficient at weighing items so that she can weigh these perfumes for me, enabling me to distribute them equally between the Muslims.”

Hearing this, Sayyidah ‘Aatikah bintu Zaid (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the wife of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), offered to weigh it for him saying, “I am proficient at weighing; so give it to me and I will weigh it for you.” However, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) declined her offer.

When she asked him the reason for his refusal, he replied, “I fear that (while weighing it,) you may take the perfume (that adheres to your fingers from handling the musk and ambergris) and apply it like this (saying this, Sayyiduna ‘Umar [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] demonstrated by rubbing his fingers on his temples), and you will rub it on your neck. In this manner, you will have received more perfume than the rest of the Muslims.” (Az-Zuhd lil Imaam Ahmad #623)

Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was once suffering from an illness for which honey was prescribed as treatment. However, the honey which he required was in the Baytul Maal (public treasury). Hence, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) ascended the mimbar and sought permission from the people to use the honey saying, “If you permit me to take some of the honey, I will do so. Otherwise, it is haraam for me.” Upon his request, the people permitted him to take the honey. (Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 3, pg. 276)

Zaid bin Aslam (rahimahullah) narrates that Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once drank some milk which he found very palatable. He thus asked the person who gave it to him, “Where is this milk from?” The person explained that he went to a certain waterhole from which the livestock of sadaqah were drinking. The shepherds milked the animals and he poured the milk into his container, and this is that very milk. When Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he spontaneously forced his hand into his throat and caused himself to vomit it out. (Muwatta Imaam Maalik #924)

Lessons:

1. In a lengthy narration, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) warned against the misuse of public property amongst other things. (Sunan Tirmizi #2211) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then explained that the repercussions of such actions were gale force winds, earthquakes, becoming disfigured and turning into animals, stones being rained from the sky and other disasters which will follow in close succession just as beads fall out of a stringed necklace which has been cut. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to ensure that items of waqf (such as masjid and madrasah properties and other items) and amaanah (trust) are treated with great care and caution. In this age, it is very unfortunate that often public wealth is treated as personal funds and used for one’s personal benefit.

2. The excess perfume which would have been left on the hand of Sayyidah ‘Aatikah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would have been an excusable amount and overlooked. Yet, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) did not even want that to come into his possession.

3. The extent of Sayyiduna ‘Umar’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) precaution and taqwa is proverbial. Even after unknowingly consuming the milk, he forced himself to vomit it out ensuring that his body is not nourished by doubtful wealth.