The Governor of Living Piety

By: Prof. Dr. Elias Yunahar

Caliph Omar ibn Said ibn Amir Khattab appoint a governor in the province of Himash. He also came to the caliphate with a delegation from the province. Umar asked them to write down a list of Himash poor who are entitled to assistance from the state treasury. Omar was surprised that among the names who have written the name of Said bin Amir. "Who Said, son of Amir's this?" asked Umar. "Our Governor," they replied. "Are you poor governor?" Umar inquired. They justify, "By God, we become witnesses." Umar cried, then insert a thousand dinars into a bag and asked them to turn them over to the governor.

Receive a bag of money containing a thousand dinars, Said directly read: Inna wa inna lillahi ilaihi raji'un, as one great calamity befall him. The governor's wife asked: "What happened? Was Commander of the Faithful's death?" "Bigger than that," said Said. "It has come to me to ruin akhiratku world." "Free yourself from the catastrophe," suggested his wife, without knowing that the catastrophe that is the money a thousand dinars. Said asks: "Do you want to help me?" His wife nodded. He asked his wife to immediately distribute one thousand dinars to the poor, without rest for her family.

So long ago, Umar visited the Said bin Amir. It has become his custom, if a visit to a province, held an open dialogue between communities, the governor, and himself. The dialogue aims to determine direct people's aspirations and their grievances against the governor of service. There are three public complaints against the governor. Any complaint submitted, Umar asked Said to answer.

First, Said was always in the office after the sun is high. Second, Said was not willing to accept anyone coming toward him at night. Third, do not receive visitors one day in every month.

Actually, shame Said forthright, but to eliminate misunderstanding, he was willing to explain it openly. First, the family did not have maids. Every morning, she made bread for his family so that after a new high sun can work to serve the public. Second, during the day he took the time to serve the public, but nighttime is particularly to Allah SWT. Third, one day a month he was not out serving the community since the day he must wash his clothes. Hearing the explanation Said, Omar said: "Alhamdulillah, judgment not wrong for you."

Thus the attitude of ascetic life of the governor who is actually also not far from his superiors own lifestyle, namely Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Khattab. We hope that we can read the story in the book Al-an-li'Arabiyah Nasyi'in may be a reflection of us all.

Source:www.republika.co.id