“Laila, my dear, come here and help me.” Laila’s mother called out.
“Yes mother, I’m coming,” said Laila.
Laila’s mother sold milk for a living and Laila helped her with the work. Today was no different as she poured the milk into containers, ready to take to the market in the morning.
Laila’s mother called out again. “Laila mix water in the milk.”
“Mix water? But mother, the Khalifa has asked us not to!” Laila said, looking surprised.
“Yes, but the Khalifa is not here to see what you are doing,” Replied her mother.
Laila was a brave and truthful girl. She immediately spoke up,
”Mother, it is not right to disobey the Khalifa. Even though he is not watching us, Allah most certainly is.”
Dear children, do you know that this is a true story? Khalifa Umar (RA) was a very dear companion of the prophet Muhammad (SAW). When he was the Khalifa, he would walk the streets of Madina at night till the wee hours of the morning in search of anyone who might need food, clothing or shelter. When Laila and her mother were having this conversation he happened to be resting, leaning against the wall of Laila’s home. Khalifa Umar (RA) had clearly overheard what had been said and he was delighted at Laila’s reply to her mother’s instructions. He made a note of where Laila lived and later he had his son marry this wonderful girl who had remembered that Allah is always watching us.
Laila and her husband were blessed with wonderful children. Many years later they had a grand child, Umar bin Abdul Aziz, who was famous because he was a good and God fearing Khalifa of his time.
Nujoom Al Asar 
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