His concern for the people’s health
‘Umar was concerned about the people’s health. He would warn them against the consquences and dangers of being fat, and would advise them to lose weight, because that would give them strenth to strive and enable them to fulfill their duties. He used to say: “O people, beware of eating too much, for it makes you lazy in prayer, is bad for your body and causes sickness. Allah hates the fat man. Rather you should be moderate in your eating, for that is closer to righteousness and farther removed from extravagance, and makes one stronger to worship Allah. No person will be doomed unless he gives precedence to his desires over his religious commitment.”[1]
Ibn al-Jawzi stated that ‘Umar saw a man with a huge belly and said: “What is this?” He said, “A blessing from Allah.” He said, “Rather it is a punishment from Allah.”[2]
With regard to his concern for the good health of the citizens, he used to forbid anyone who had a stomach disease to mix with the people, so as to prevent the spread of disease. He would advise the sick to stay at home until they got better. And it is narrated that he passed by a woman who had leprosy when she was on her way to the Ka’bah. He said to her: “O Female slave of Allah, why don’t you stay in your home and not harm the people?” So she stayed at home. Later on a man passed by her and said, “The one who told you (not to go out) has died, so go out.” She said, “By Allah, I will not obey him whilst he is alive and disobey him when he is dead.”[3]
He also used to emphasize the importance of exercise, horsemanship and horseback riding. He used to say: “Teach your children swimming and archery, and train them to be proficient on horseback, and teach them some beautiful poetry.”[4]
“Do not make the religion dead”
‘Umar saw a man who looked as if he was dying because of his ascetism. He hit him with his stick and said: “Do not make our religion dead, may Allah kill you.”[5]
It was narrated from ash-Shifaa’ bint Abdullah that she saw some people who walked slowly and spoke slowly. She said: “Who are these?” They said, “Ascetics.” She said, “By Allah, when ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab spoke, he could be heard, when he walked he walked fast, when he hit he caused pain, and by Allah, he was a true ascetic.”[6]
“Stop walking like that”
A man came swinging his arms and strutting, and ‘Umar said to him: “Stop walking like that.” He said, “I cannot.” ‘Umar whipped him, then he strutted, and he whipped him again and he stopped strutting. ‘Umar said, “If i do not whip one like this then who should I whip?” The man came to him after that and said, “May Allah reward you with good; it was nothing but a Shaytan whom Allah sent away through you.”[7]
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[1] Al-Khaleefah al-Farooq, by Dr.’Abdur Rahman al-’Ani
[2] Manaaqib Ameer al-Mu’mineen, p.200
[3] Al-Khaleefah al-Farooq, p.124 quoting from ar-Riyad an-Nadrah
[4] ibid p.125
[5] ibid
[6] Ash-Shaykhan min Riwayat al-Baladhuri
[7] Akhbar ‘Umar, p.175
