his household. ʿUmar said to him, “Put out the lamp and then speak to me, for the oil that feeds this lamp belongs to the Muslims’ public treasury and may only be used for the Muslims’ affairs.” Such is the caution and scrupulousness of a ruler when he is just, as this story makes clear.
Story. ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz had a servant who was the keeper of the public treasury. ʿUmar also had several daughters. On the Day of ʿArafah they came to him weeping and said, “Tomorrow is the Festival, and the women and girls of your subjects will reproach us, saying, ‘You are the daughters of the Commander of the Faithful, yet we see you unclothed. At the very least, give us some white garments to wear.’” ʿUmar’s heart grew heavy, so he summoned the treasurer and said, “Advance me my stipend for one month.” The treasurer replied, “O Commander of the Faithful, would you draw your salary from the public treasury in advance? Do you imagine that you are guaranteed another month of life so that you may take the salary of that month now?” ʿUmar was taken aback and said, “You have spoken well, young man—may Allah bless you.” Then he turned to his daughters and said, “Restrain your desires, for no one enters Paradise except through hardship.”
Wisdom. When rulers conduct themselves in this manner, their courtiers and attendants will follow the same path. Perfect justice is to place the unknown, inconspicuous man and the dignified notable on exactly the same footing in litigation, to look upon both with a single eye and not favour one over the other because one is poor and the other rich. In the Hereafter jewels and potsherds will fetch the same price, and no rational person would burn himself in the Fire out of deference to others. If a weak man has a claim against any of the sultans, the ruler must rise from the very seat of his kingdom, apply Allah’s judgement, give the oppressed servant his due, satisfy him, wrong him in nothing and never shy away from the truth. He must act upon Allah’s word: “Indeed, Allah commands justice and good conduct” (Quran 16:90). In fact, if the king himself has a right over someone else, he should waive it and bestow it upon him, and he should instruct his trustworthy officials to emulate his example and follow his way, lest he be questioned about them on the Day of Resurrection. The Prophet ﷺ has said, “Every shepherd will be asked about his flock, and every person will be asked about those under his care.” Such is the present state of affairs and such will be the final reckoning.
Story. It is related that Ismāʿīl ibn Aḥmad, the ruler of Khurasan, once encamped at Marw, and his custom was