Hazrath 'Umar (R)

Source:Ihya Ulumuddin  Vol.IV.Ch.iv.p.206/207 (Imam Ghazali)

Once the Hazrat Hafsa (R) widow of Prophet (S) who was the daughter of Hazrath Umar (R) said to her father :  O father, many deputations come to you from many distant places.  You should take up decent dress and give order for delicious foods for you and for your guests.

Hazrath Omar replied: O Hafsa, don't you know that the family members of a man know his condition best?

She said: "I know it"

Hazrath Omar said: I ask you again.  don't you know how the prophet (S) and his family members lived during his Prophethood? 

If they enjoyed breakfast, they remained hungry at night, and

if they enjoyed food at night, they remained hungry at noon . 

I ask you in the name of Allah; Don't you know that until the victory at Khyber

the Prophet and his family members could not enjoy dates. 

I ask you in the name of Allah, don't you know how the Prophet (S) disliked the keeping of food in his basket for his use, so much so  that when he sees excess food not being utilised the colour of his

face became changed? Then he took the food out from the pot and immediately sent to the needy. 

I ask you again, in the name of Allah: don't you know that the Prophet used to sleep on a twice folded blanket?

I prepared for him one night a bed four-folded and he slept thereon.  Rising from sleep, he said: I could not pray Tahajjud as I slept on a four folded blanket.  Make it two folded as on the previous occasions.

I ask you again in the name of Allah:  Don't you know that once Prophet (S) kept his wearing cloth for wash?  Then Bilal (R) called for prayer, but he found no other piece of cloth which he could wear and come out for prayer.  After the washed cloth was dried by the sun, he wore it and came out for prayer.

I ask you again in the name of Allah: Don't you know that a woman of the tribe of Jafar gave him two pieces of cloth and she sent one piece in advance.  Rasoolullah (S) covered his waist with one end of that piece and the upper body with the other end and prayed in that condition. 

Thus Hazrath Omar (R) began to question her and Hazrath Hafsa (R) began weeping.  Hazrath Omar also began to weep and raised such a loud shriek and fell down it appeared as his life had gone from

him.  Then Hazrath Omar said:

"If I do not tread the path on which my two predecessors, the Prophet and Abu Bakr (R)  have tread, I would be destroyed and perish. 

By Allah, I would keep patience at the firm conduct of life, so that I may get eternal rest along with them.