Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 283
283 fact, the first regular census in Islam, taken during the time of Umar, was carried out for the purpose of ensuring that everybody was supplied with the basic necessities, namely, food, drink, and shelter. Once when Umar was on one of the many walking trips he made about the countryside during his tenure as Khalifa, he heard a whimper. Following the sound, he came upon a woman tending a pot on the fire. Beside her, three children were crying. In answer to Umar’s question, the woman explained that her children had gone without food for two days because she was without means. As a last resort, she had put the kettle, filled only with water, on the fire in the desperate hope that the children would be lulled to sleep with thoughts of a meal soon to appear. Umar returned to Medina, where he collected in a large bag some flour, butter, meat, and dates. A servant, whom he summoned for assistance in lifting the bag on to his back, protested, offering to carry the bundle himself. “No doubt you will carry this bundle for me just now, but who will carry my burden on the Day of Judgement?” asked the Khalifa. He then carried the provisions to the woman. “God bless you for your kindness!” she exclaimed. “You are far more fit to be Khalifa than Umar. He knows nothing of how the people fare. ”