Looking at the World from on High Vol

meanness and pettiness of everyday life and detached in the face of temptation and adversity. If one’s life is dominated by belief in God, then He will be the source of one’s thinking. One will live in the world, but not be of it. Despite the fact that one is dwelling on the planet Earth, one will look at the world from an elevated position. One will dwell in a natural world, despite one’s imprisonment in the unnatural world of man. □ A commander should keep a watch on his subordinates’ work Umar once asked people if he had fulfilled his duty if he appointed to some post a capable man—one whom he considered fit for the task—and then enjoined him to be just. Everyone said that he had. “No,” Umar said, “not until I have gauged his actions to see whether he has done what I told him to do. Whenever Umar appointed a governor in some territory, he would ask delegations that came from there how their ruler was. “Does he care for slaves?” he would ask. “Does he follow funeral processions? Is he kind and understanding towards those who come to his door?” If people said that he showed kindness and consideration towards those who came to his door, and looked after slaves well, then Umar would say nothing. Otherwise he would immediately send someone to relieve the governor of his duties. Phototypeset by The Word, Nehru Place, New Delhi, Printed by J.K. Offset Printers, Delhi. Annual Subscription Rates: INLAND Rs 36 Supporting Subscription Rs 200 ABROAD Air Mail US $ 20/£ 12 Surface Mail US $ 10/£ 6 Supporting Subscription US $ 50/£ 30 Cheques, drafts, postal orders and money orders should be made payable to: ‘AL-RISALA MONTHLY’