Umar Al-Khattab – The Honest Milk Seller

Little Imtiyaz Centre
Sep 25
3 min read

🌟 Living by the Value of Shiddiq (Truthfulness)

Honesty, or Shiddiq, is one of the greatest values a person can live by. It means telling the truth, being sincere, trustworthy, and avoiding deceit in all actions. But honesty goes beyond just words – it is about doing the right thing even in secrecy, knowing that Allah is always watching.

Rasulullah ﷺ himself was known as al-Amīn, the Trustworthy, even before his Prophethood. His closest companion, Abu Bakr as-Shiddiq (R.A), was given the title as-Shiddiq because of his unwavering belief in every word of Rasulullah ﷺ and his commitment to always speak the truth.

In this episode, we reflect on a story from the era of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (R.A). It is about a young girl whose honesty and fear of Allah deeply moved Umar (R.A). Her sincerity not only earned his admiration but also made her part of a noble lineage, leading to the birth of one of the greatest Caliphs in Islamic history – Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, whose leadership revived justice and righteousness in his time.

✨ A Trusted Companion

Umar bin al-Khattab (R.A) was one of the ten companions promised Paradise by Allah. He was known as one of the bravest men among Rasulullah’s ﷺ companions and a highly influential figure of his time. He was given the title al-Faruq – the one who distinguishes between right and wrong.

After the passing of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A), Umar (R.A) was chosen as the second Caliph. During his rule, he made many contributions and achievements in various areas such as politics, public safety, and the economy.

🐐 A Time of Drought, A Test of Integrity

During his caliphate, there was a period of drought. The people struggled to live properly due to the shortage of food. Many families depended on goats for milk, while their crops, such as wheat, had dried up without rain.

Some sellers began mixing milk with water to increase their profit. When this matter reached Umar (R.A), he immediately forbade anyone from diluting milk, as it was an act of dishonesty.

🌙 Umar’s Night Patrol

Umar (R.A) was known for roaming the streets at night to check on the condition of his people. One night, while making his rounds, he overheard a conversation between a mother and her daughter inside their home.

The mother said:

"We don’t have enough milk. Add some water so it becomes more."

The daughter replied:

"But Mother, our Caliph Umar has forbidden us from mixing water with milk. It is dishonest."

The mother answered:

"Umar is not here with us. No one will know if we do it  secretly."

But the daughter said firmly:

"Even if Umar is not here, Allah is watching us. I am afraid of Allah."

💍 From Milk to Majesty: A Legacy is Born

Hearing this, Umar (R.A) was amazed by the girl’s honesty and God-consciousness. The next day, he sent his aide to purchase milk from their house, and indeed the milk was pure, without water.

Umar (R.A) then summoned the mother and daughter, told them what he had heard, and rewarded the daughter by arranging her marriage to his son, Asim.

From this marriage, they were blessed with a daughter named Layla. Later, Layla married Abdul Aziz bin Marwan, the governor of Egypt and a leading figure of the Umayyad family.

From their union, a child was born – Umar bin Abdul Aziz, the righteous Caliph who later revived the glory of the Umayyad Caliphate and became known as one of the greatest reformers in Islamic history.

🌸 Lessons We Carry From Umar's Story

Being honest is not only towards others or to Allah, but also to ourselves. Without honesty, we harm our own soul and face the loss. When this value is nurtured from a young age, it becomes imprinted in one’s character, guiding them to live truthfully and wisely throughout their life.