Allah has honored us by Al-Islam فأعزنا الله بالإسلام

روى الحاكم في المستدرك عن طارق بن شهاب قال :

خرج عمر بن الخطاب إلى الشام و معنا أبو عبيدة بن الجراح فأتوا على مخاضة و عمر على ناقة له فنزل عنها و خلع خفيه فوضعهما على عاتقه و أخذ بزمام ناقته فخاض بها المخاضة فقال أبو عبيدة : يا أمير المؤمنين أنت تفعل هذا تخلع خفيك و تضعهما على عاتقك و تأخذ بزمام ناقتك و تخوض بها المخاضة ما يسرني أن أهل البلد استشرفوك.

فقال عمر : أوه! لو يقل ذا غيرك أبا عبيدة جعلته نكالا لأمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم، أنا كنا أذل قوم فأعزنا الله بالإسلام فمهما نطلب العز بغير ما أعزنا الله به أذلنا الله

قال الذهبي في التلخيص هذا حديث صحيح على شرط الشيخين

This story is reported in almustadrak for Alhakem and the chain is accepted

“When Omar Ibn Alkhattab Radai Allahu anh as the Caliph came to Al-Sham (i.e. Palestine now) and he was accompanied by Abu Obaidah. They came across a pond so Omar took off his shoes and put them on his shoulders to hold the rope of the camel to cross the water. Upon seeing this, Abu Obaidah expressed his fear that the people of Jerusalem would see Omar in this status which might seem unbefitting. Omar Radai Allahu anh said these golden words that every Muslim should.. he said that Allah has honored us by Al-Islam, and if we were to seek honor in other than Al-Islam Allah will dishonor us!!

Allahu Akbar! Wallahi this feeling of honor and distinction of being Muslim is what many of today’s Muslims are missing especially those of us who are living or have grown up in the west. What is wrong with us! Why do we feel the need to blend in and become like the disbelievers so hardly one can distinguish us from them!!! Why do many constantly seek to please the non-believers hoping to be accepted by them!!

Tonight I was invited to attend a gathering held by the Muslim Business Association in BC. I felt sorry to see the free intermingling between men and women, the exaulting of non-believers! The function in its totality didn’t seem Islamic! So, why do they call attach the word “Muslim” to such association! This is distortion of the word Islam!

What I have witnessed tonight proves that we lack proper understanding of our deen and moreover shows the dire need for a humongous dosage of feeling the honor and pride as Muslims by learning and implementing the regulations of Al-Islam in every aspect in our lives even when doing business … I was struck to see most of those Muslim leaders are in the business of insurance, mortgage, currency exchange, etc.! What is going on here! I am just wondering have they studied the Islamic ruling about these choices of businesses! I am not here judging people but expressing my astonishments and sad feelings towards what I have observed!

Allahu Almusta’an!

May Allah Grant us guidance to remain steadfast