Umar bin al Khattaab

The Muslims have a superb example in Hadrat Umar ibn al-Khattab. It is written that Hadrat Umar was making his nightly rounds through the streets of Madinah when he heard voices coming from a nearby house. He drew nearer and heard a mother saying to her daughter, “People will come to collect the milk in the morning. We don’t have a lot – add some water so we can get a good price.” The daughter refused, to which the mother said, “It is not such a big thing, Umar isn’t watching.” The daughter replied, “Mother, if Umar isn’t watching, then Umar’s Creator is watching.”

Hadrat Umar returned home impressed with the young lady’s faith. Upon awaking the next morning he sent a message to that house that he wanted the girl of that house as his daughter-in-law. These were times when people were evaluated on the basis of their sincerity and character, not on how many education degrees they had or how many houses they owned.

On another occasion, Hadrat Umar was traveling and came upon a shepherd herding sheep in what appeared to be a barren wasteland, with no settlement in sight. He asked whether the sheep belonged to the shepherd, who replied that he had a master. Hadrat Umar offered him food but the shepherd said that he was fasting; Hadrat Umar was amazed that he was fasting in such heat and decided to test him.

Hadrat Umar offered to pay for a sheep that they could sacrifice and eat, but the shepherd said that he must first ask permission from his master. Hadrat Umar said, “Your master is not here, neither is he watching.” The shepherd then replied, “My master may not be here, but Allah is everywhere.” Hadrat Umar was amazed at this man’s sincerity and steadfastness. We should reflect on where such people are today and how we can become like them.

Source: http://www.tasawwuf.org/writings/sermons/purpose_of_man.htm