What is Faith?

Giving one’s best, but without conceit Struck down by the dagger of Abu Lulu, a Magian slave of Mughirah ibn Abi Shuaba, Umar ibn Khattab, the second Caliph lay mortally wounded. So quickly was he losing blood that when he drank some milk, its whiteness flowed from his wounds. It was then that these words came to his lips: “Lord, did I but have a world full of gold, I would use it to escape the Lord’s punishment before it descended upon me.” Abdullah ibn Abbas then spoke up, reminding Umar of the time in Makkah, when “the Prophet prayed to the lord that he might strengthen Islam through you. The Muslims at the time were in an abject state. Then you became a Muslim and a source of strength for Islam. Through you, Islam achieved great glory. You emigrated with the Prophet and were by his side in every battle. When the Prophet died, he was well pleased with you. And so was Abu Bakr, the first Caliph of Islam whom you served so faithfully as assistant and advisor. Then, after him, you became Commander of the Faithful. It was through you that God brought great cities within the Islamic Empire, and with them came great wealth. The enemies of Islam were put to flight at your hand, and you were destined to die a martyr. Blessed are you.” “You lead one astray with your misleading talk,” said Umar, then added, “But Abdullah! Will you testify on my behalf on the Day of Resurrection?” Abdullah ibn Abbas said that he would. At this point Umar’s head lay in the lap of his son, who was also called Abdullah. Umar said he would like his head to be on the ground. Abdullah ibn Umar raised his father’s head from where it rested and laid it on his ankle. “Let my cheek touch the ground,” insisted Umar. Abdullah did as his father told him. Then Umar said to himself, “Woe betide you, and woe betide your mother, if God does not forgive you.” Whereupon he breathed his last. (AL-TABARANI)