THE RELIGION OF HUMANITY: Islam’s Ethical and Spiritual Outlook

Abu Bakr replied, “Rather, it is he, if it is anything at all.” In this matter, Abu Bakr agreed with Umar’s judgment, and none of the companions objected to the decision. (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir, Vol. 9, pp. 195–196) This incident involved not only a criticism of the first Caliph but also, on the surface, a form of disrespect. However, when Abu Bakr and the other companions learned of it, they gave no importance to those outward aspects. They only considered whether, in principle, Umar’s view was correct or not. And when it became clear that his stance was indeed correct, everyone accepted it. AN EXAMPLE FROM UMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB When Umar ibn al-Khattab was the Caliph, he would often say, “I am just like you, and one among you. Therefore, you are free to speak openly about anything you feel against me. There is no restriction on you in this matter.” On one occasion, while standing on the pulpit in the mosque of Madinah and addressing the people, Umar said, “If you see any crookedness in me, what will you do at that time?” For a moment, there was silence. Then one man stood up and said, “If you deviate, we will straighten you—just as an arrow is straightened with a straightener.” The narrator reports that upon hearing this, Umar was pleased and said, “All praise is due to God, who has placed me among a