Patrolling at Night

Umar used to meet people and hear out their concerns during the day while at night he patrolled around to watch their condition himself. Umar often said, “I am scared that Allah will hold me accountable on the day of judgement even if a dog dies hungry at the bank of river Euphrates.”  Anas ibn Malik says that one night Umar was patrolling around to witness the condition of his people. He happened to pass by a bedouin who was sitting outside his camp. Umar could hear someone sobbing in pain inside the camp. He stopped and asked the man what was the matter? The man replied that his wife was in labour. On hearing this, Umar immediately went to his wife Umm Kulthum and said,

“There is a pious deed awaiting! If you like to be a part of it then take the essential items and come along, a traveller‟s wife is in labour pain.” Umar‟s wife gladly agreed to go with him to help that woman. He took her to the camp and asked the man, “Do you permit this woman to go to your wife and comfort her?” He allowed her in. Meanwhile, Umar stayed with the bedouin and chatted. After some time, they heard the voice of Umar‟s wife from inside uttering, “O Leader of the Believers! Give the good news of birth of a baby boy to your companion.” The bedouin got nervous on knowing that he was with the Caliph so he drew back. Umar comforted the man and said, “Brother! Keep sitting at your place.” Then he advised the man to see him the next morning. When the man went to see Umar in the morning, he issued allowance for the child and sent him home with a lot of commodities.

 Zayd ibn Aslam narrates that per his routine, Umar was patrolling one night. He saw a lady in her shack who was surrounded by children bawling and crying. A pot filled with water was boiling on the stove. Umar went in front of her shack and asked, “O woman! Why are the children crying?”