Hz. Omar’s (ra.) Prayer He Wanted to Join
Hazrat Omar -may Allah be pleased with him-, one night while wandering the streets of the city, saw a house illuminated by candlelight. Yielding to his curiosity, he approached the house and heard an elderly woman spinning wool and reciting a moving poem.
HZ. OMAR’S (RA.) PRAYER HE WANTED TO JOIN
The meaning of the poem recited by the lady was as follows:
“May the blessings and peace of the righteous be upon our Master Muhammad Mustafa -peace and blessings be upon him-. O Messenger of Allah! May all distinguished personalities have mercy upon you. You would worship at night, and weep much in the early hours of the morning. However, death comes to everyone stage by stage. Alas! If I could know whether the abode of the hereafter will bring me together with my beloved Prophet?”
Hazrat Omar -may Allah be pleased with him-, was moved while listening to this deeply meaningful poem and cried for a while. Then he knocked on the door. The elderly woman asked who it was:
“–Omar bin al-Khattab.”
The woman, with anxiety, “–What business does Omar have with me? What is he looking for at this hour?” asked. Omar -may Allah be pleased with him- replied calmly:
“–If you love Allah, open the door, do not fear!”
When the woman opened the door, Hazrat Omar requested her:
“–Would you please recite the poem you recited earlier again?!”
saying. The elderly woman began to recite the poem again and when she reached the last couplet, Omar -may Allah be pleased with him-:
“–I request that you include me among you!”
said. Upon this, the woman changed the last line of the poem as follows:
“Alas! If I could know whether the abode of the hereafter will bring together my beloved Prophet, me and Omar? O Allah, Most Forgiving, grant forgiveness to Omar!”
Omar -may Allah be pleased with him- expressed his satisfaction with this prayer and returned. (Ali al-Muttaqi, XII, 562/35762)