WHEN WORDS BECOME THE TRUTH

The third moment shows the emotional turmoil Umar underwent when he heard the news of the Prophet’s death. He refused to believe that the Prophet had died. He stood at the gates of the Prophet’s mosque with his sword in his hand. Abu Bakr told him to sit down but Umar refused. Abu Bakr again told him to sit down but Umar again refused. Then Abu Bakr left him alone and addressed the gathering. Among the things he said, he also recited this verse of the Quran: Muhammad is only a messenger. Messengers have passed away before him. If he should die, or be killed, will you turn back on your heels? Those who turn on their heels do not harm the Lord in the least. God will reward the grateful. (3: 144) The effect of Abu Bakr’s address was electrical in character. It appeared as though the people did not know that this verse of the Holy Quran had come down until Abu Bakr had recited it that day. Umar later said: “By God when I heard Abu Bakr recite these words I was dumbfounded so that my legs would not bear my weight, and I fell to the ground knowing that the Holy Prophet was indeed dead.” This is a statement of recognition of truth, even if it is against one’s own wish. The fourth moment is that of the Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz, also known as Umar II. One of his governors, Jarrah bin Abdullah, said he did not want to encourage people embracing Islam. His reason was that if a large number of people became Muslims, the amount of money collected in the form of taxes will be reduced, and the government finances will be affected tremendously. It must be noted here that this tax exempted the followers of others faiths to join the army and it was the responsibility of Muslim rulers to provide them security and safety. Umar bin Abdul Aziz replied: God Almighty sent the Prophet Muhammad as a guide to humanity, not as a collector of taxes. This profound statement is an expression of the complete realization of the responsibility of the believers to communicate the Word of God on the one hand and realization of the true mission of the Prophet on the other. o A person’s character is expressed through his words. The words of a true believer radiate with trust in God, realization of the greatness of God, acceptance of reality and a keen sense of the mission that he has to follow.