These were the Leaders of Faith!

During the caliphate of Umar bin al-Khattab, Sa`id ibn `Amir was the governor of Hims, a city in ash-Shaam. When Umar (RA) visited Hims to see how things were going there, he was met by a large group of people who began to complain to him about Sa`id.They found fault with him in four matters.First, they said, he would not come out to them until mid-morning.

Second, he would refuse to answer any caller during the night.

Third, once a month, he would stay away from the people.

And fourth, once in a while, Sa`id would faint and lose consciousness for no apparent reason.

The Leader of the Believers asked Sa`id to respond to their complaints.

In regard to the first complaint, Sa`id explained that he had no servant and that, every morning, he had to crush his own wheat in order to make bread. As soon as he would finish making his bread, he said, he would then go out to serve the people.

As for not answering any callers during the night, he said that he dedicated his days to serving the people and his nights to worshipping Allah.

As for not going out to the people once a month, he explained that he had only one garment and that he washed it once a month and had to then wait until it dried.

As for passing out every so often, Sa`id gave this explanation:

“When I was a polythiest, I witnessed the brutal execution of Khubayb ibn `Adiy in Makkah. I saw how Quraysh cut up his flesh little by little. They said to Khubayb, “Do you now want Muhammad to take your place?” He said, “By Allah, I would not want to be safe with myself, my family and my children if Muhammad were even to be pricked by a thorn.” Every time I remember that day and how I refrained from helping Khubayb – for I was a polythiest and did not believe in Allah, the All-Mighty – I begin to think that Allah, the Possessor of Might and Majesty, will never forgive me. It is then that I faint, O Leader of the Believers.”

Source : Stories of Repentance – by Muhammad Abduh Mughawiri