Golden Traditions of Islam and Its Culture
A Story by New Age Islam
 Rather than discussing the dirty politics of foul language, accusations, blame games and horse trading, let’s have a look at some of the finer aspects of our religion and culture. 
Rather than
discussing the dirty politics of foul language, accusations, blame
games and horse trading, let’s have a look at some of the finer aspects
of our religion and culture. Two young men once entered the
gathering (Majlis) of Hazrat Umar (RA), walked up to a man, pointed
their fingers at him and said: “O Amirul Momineen, he is the man. He
killed our father.” “What do you mean, he killed your father” asked
Hazrat Umar (RA). He then asked the accused man if it was true that he
had killed the young men’s father. “Yes, Amirul Momineen,” came the
reply. “Their father was killed by me.”
When asked what had
happened, he answered: “O Umar (RA), their father rode into my field of
crops on his camel. I asked him not to continue and to turn back, but he
paid no attention to what I said. I then threw a stone at him that,
unfortunately, hit his head and he fell off his camel and died
instantly.” Hazrat Umar (RA) said: “Then you will have to pay the
penalty which is death �" death for death.” The judgement was instant and
clear; no need for further questioning or delay.
In
Pakistan, the rich and influential might easily get away by implicating
someone innocent and there will not be an action as quick as the one
the above case. Hazrat Umar (RA) passed his judgement according to
divine edicts. The judgement would have been the same had it been the
caliph’s own son.
The accused then asked if he could go to the
desert to inform his wife and children that he was to be executed for
murder as there was nobody else to inform them or to look after them. “I
will come back”, he assured those present. Hazrat Umar (RA) then asked
him if he could provide a guarantor. Followed by the demand was dead
silence, as nobody knew the man or his family. There was nobody to
intercede on his behalf.
There was concern all around that the man
would be executed and his family would starve to death. Hazrat Umar
(RA) himself was sad and worried and requested the young men to pardon
him, which they flatly refused to do. Hazrat
Umar (RA) then asked those present if there was anybody who could stand
as guarantor for the accused. At this, Abu Zar Ghaffari (RA), a highly
respected companion of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), rose and said that he
would stand as guarantor.
The caliph said: “Abu Zar (RA), he has
killed a man. Do you know him?” “No, I don’t know him”, was the reply.
“Then how can you stand as guarantor”, he was asked. Abu Zar (RA) said:
“I see him as a noble person, not a liar. I believe he will come back.”
“You will be killed in his place if he does not return within three
days”, Hazrat Umar (RA) warned. “Allah is the disposer of all”, said Abu
Zar (RA). After that the accused departed.
Three days later a
large gathering was held and Hazrat Umar (RA) was extremely worried. The
two young men were still eager to get revenge for their father’s death.
Just before Maghrib prayers, the accused presented himself for the
final act. Hazrat Umar (RA) loudly shouted “Allahu Akbar”, which was
repeated by all the people present.
He
then told the accused that had he not returned, there was nothing that
could be done about it since nobody knew where to find him. The man
said: “O Amirul Momineen, the matter was not between you and me, it was
an undertaking with Allah as the witness, so here I am. I have left my
family at the mercy of the Almighty. I could not break my pledge, thus,
creating the impression that Muslims had lowered themselves to the point
of breaking a pledge.” Hazrat Umar (RA) then turned to Hazrat Abu
Zar (RA) and asked: “O Abu Zar (RA), what prompted you to stand as his
guarantor?” He answered: “O Umar (RA), I was afraid that people would be
inclined to believe that righteousness and nobility were no longer
Muslim traits.”
Hazrat Umar (RA) paused for a while and then asked
the two young men what their final decision was. They started crying
and said: “O Amir ul Momineen! We pardon him because he was true and
honest. We don’t want to give the impression that forgiveness is no
longer a tradition in Islam.” Hazrat Umar (RA) started crying and said:
“O young men! May the Almighty reward you for your noble deed. O Abu Zar
(RA)! May the Almighty reward you too. O man! May the Almighty reward
you for being honest and for keeping your promise.”
Some
religious scholars have commented that many of such virtues and values
were, unfortunately, buried with the death of Hazrat Umar (RA). May
Allah Almighty reward the translator of this episode for passing it on
to us. In connection with the pledges made to Allah, we recite Dua-e-Qunut in the last Rakat while saying the Witr in Isha prayers. From
the translation in the succeeding paragraph we can see that by reciting
this dua, we make a pledge with Allah every evening. But do we keep
this pledge? We probably will have forgotten it by morning! May Allah
guide us to live our lives according to His divine edicts and
Ahadees-e-Nabvi. Amen.
“O Allah, we ask you for help and seek your
forgiveness; we believe in you; we have trust in you; we praise you in
the best way; we thank you and we are not ungrateful to you; we forsake
and turn away from the one who disobeys you. O Allah, we worship only
you; we pray to you; we prostrate ourselves before you; we run towards
you and serve you; we hope to receive your mercy; we fear your
punishment. Surely the disbelievers will receive your punishment.” Of
course this and other duas can be read at any other time too.
Source URL: http://www.newageislam.com/islamic-society/golden-traditions-of-islam-and-its-culture/d/114574
© 2018 New Age Islam
Author's Note
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