Remaining calm in face of criticism

Remaining calm in face of criticism

1985 10 October 24 Remaining calm in face of criticism (179)

When Umar became caliph, he removed Khalid ibn Walid from his position as commander-in-chief of the army in Syria, Nashira ibn Sahmi AI-Yazni says that he heard Umar give a speech on the day of the Battle of Jabiya, Let me tell you why I have replaced Khalid ibn Walid,” he told this congregation, “I had told him to keep the spoils of battle for poor refugees, but he gave them to high-born, educated people, For this reason I have appointed Abu Ubaidah ibn Jarrah in his place,” A relative of Khalid ibn Walid, Abu Amr ibn Hafs, was present in the congregation, “That is no excuse,” he told the Caliph, “You have removed one whom the Prophet himself appointed, You have put a sword back in its scabbard that he had unsheathed, You have brought down a banner that he had raised, You have shown jealousy towards your own cousin,” Umar listened and spoke to him softly, “You are Khalid’s close relative, and are still young, That is why you have become angry on his behalf,” he said,

The Prophet and His Companions

1985 10 October 24 The Prophet and His Companions (119)

A good society is one in which one can freely criticize and rebuke others.

It happened once that a certain group of people had a grudge against Abdul Aziz ibn Abu Bakra, On one occasion they even went to the extent of knocking him down, His son ran to his assistance, but his father told him not to make a move, “Really,” he said, “if anyone has to die, I would prefer it to be myself.” His son asked him why, “I am afraid,” Ibn Abu Bakra answered, “that I should be alive at a time when I will not be able to call for righteousness and forbid evil, for then there will be no good in the world,”

Their disagreement was for the sake of truth

1985 10 October 24 Their disagreement was for the sake of truth (168) Abu Bakr had always made an equal distribution of allowances. It was suggested that he should show more favour towards the Muhajirs and Ansar, but he refused. “They have their rank with God. This is a matter of everyday life, and it is better to be equal in such matters,” he said.

Umar did not agree. When he became Caliph, he paid regard to rank in his distribution of allowances, Five thousand dirhams he allotted for the Muhajirs and Ansar, and four thousand for other Muslims. Accordingly, Usama Ibn Zaid got four thousand. But Umar gave his own son, Abdullah, just three thousand. “You have given Usama ibn Zaid four thousand dirhams and allotted me only three thousand,” Abdullah complained to his father. What rank does he or his father enjoy over me?” “Both his father and he were dearer to the Prophet than you,” Umar told him. Towards the end of his life Umar admitted that Abu Bakr’s policy on this matter had been better than his.