Our Beloved Master - His Early Life — Page 146
•oUR BELoVED MASTER• 146 this private so that no one would find out he was learning to read and write. It so happened that one of his friends knew about this so-called “bad habit” and came to him. He said, “I’ve come to you at this time for a very important matter. I need you to write a letter to a person who lives in Yathrib (ancient name for city of Madinah). A group is going there, I will send the letter with one of the men. ” Hadrat ‘Umar ra responded, “How can I do such a job? If I write this letter for you then my life will be in danger and I will become ridiculed by the whole population. Go from here now!” The friend said, “Sir, who will know whether you have written it or if a servant has written it? Please write it! My need will be filled and it will be of no harm to you. ” Hadrat ‘Umar ra replied, “Absolutely not! This is very risky. By no means am I ready to get involved in this dangerous job. If a person even hears a whisper that I had anything to do with writing the letter, then I will not be able to show my face again in this town. Is it the work of a decent person to read or write?” The friend said with false praise, “Sir, come on, just write it! If I wasn’t desperate then I would never push for you to do it. ” Hadrat ‘Umar ra finally gave in and said, “All right, if you