Stories from Early Islam — Page 165
Umar in Disguise I When Abu Bakr died, Umar was elected as the second Khalifah. He was a tall, well-built man with fair complexion. He was a good speaker, a just ruler and very strict in discipline. He was a man of simple habits. Though, being a ruler, he han- dled vast treasures of gold, silver, jewels and valuables, yet his own cloak had many patches on it. He was the first ruler to organise administrative machinery in the country. He would visit the families of those who were serving in the cause of Allah and were away from home, to buy daily needs for them, write letters for them and even deliver their letters personally. He was