—except to perform the prayer, after which I would return to her (1).
- Khulaid ibn Dalaj narrated, from Qatadah, who said: ʿUmar—may Allah be pleased with him—once left the mosque accompanied by al-Jarud al-ʿAbdi. On the open road they met an elderly, plain-spoken woman (2). He greeted her with salām and she returned the greeting, then said:
“Ah, ʿUmar! I remember you when you were called ʿUmayr in the market of ʿUkaz, herding the youngsters with your staff. Hardly had the days passed before you were called ʿUmar, and not many days passed (3) before you were named Commander of the Believers. So fear Allah with regard to those under your care. Know that whoever fears the threatened punishment finds what is distant drawing near, and whoever fears death dreads missing his opportunity.”
Al-Jarud said, “Woman, you have spoken at length to the Commander of the Believers!”
But ʿUmar replied, “Leave her alone—do you not know who she is? This is Khawlah bint Hakim, the woman whose words Allah heard from above the seven heavens.”