Umar Ibin Al Khattab

Called me Umar , the Amiral Mu'minin,

To accompany him in the Daily routine,

Strolling in fright on a shiny night,

Hoping in mind that everything stays bright.

Walking from humbleness from tent to tent,

Aspiring to aid helpless gents.

Passed by a Woman distressed in anger;

Surrounded by Children crying from hunger,

And a pot of Water in the Stove;

Children waiting for dinner in their droves.

Uttering in distress whilst blowing in cauldron:

“Patience dear Children, Food will soon be done.”

Not blinking the eye and not moving the gaze,

Staring at the Woman and Children in craze,

Promising in his mind and deciding with zeal,

Not would he leave without them consuming a meal.

Waiting with humbleness and patience before proceeding.

As to enquiring to her as why the children are crying.

“Hungry!” Said the Woman in an anxious cry,

“Why don't you feed them?” said Umar in reply.

Responded the Woman in an unbearable manner:

“Do you want me to feed them boiling water?”

Nothing but water and stone in cauldron,

To lure the children, the food will be soon done.

Replied Umar in a gentle voice:

“You kept them hungry which was wrong choice

Why didn't you put forward your complaint?

Umar's assistance would have been your gain”

She turned away in disgust

Cursing Umar who she couldn't trust.

Umar the oppressor left me to die,

Went through hardships; all I could do was cry.

He was terrified by her response

And said “Why didn't you tell me at once!”

Retorted to Umar in an unpleasant mode;

She didn't consider Umar's thought.

“What's your opinion about the careless Shepherd?

Do you consider him a watcher of herd?

Upon him is necessary to look after the community,

And must travel to desolated places to fulfil his duty”

Might see a Woman having her last breath;

Starving from hunger and waiting for death.

When a king becomes blind of his kingship

He is then considered from amongst the oppressive.

Umar never knew regarding the starvation,

He is the one who sacrificed himself for the nation.,

Truth has been spoken remarked Umar .

You and your children will not sleep in hunger;

Retorted Umar with a grief he has never thought,

Filled the bag with dates, flour, fat and tied the knot.

Umar placed it on his back and walked with ease

And Abdullah followed him on his heels.

He placed the ingredients and began to stir,

He blew to kindle it in the fire.

After a while the Porridge was ready:

He himself served it to the family.

When they had eaten to their fill

He gave them what was left for their next meal.

The children were happy and began to play

And the Woman was very grateful and began to praise:

“May Allah reward you for your kindness,

Surely you deserve to take the Caliph's place”

Umar consoled her and said:

“When you come to the Caliph, you'll find me instead.”

He then sat for a while watching them

And returned towards Medina with his companion.

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