Treatment of those who had Rendered Services & Sacrifices for the Faith and their Relatives

How did Hazrat Umar (ra) look after those who had rendered services for the faith for a long time and offered sacrifices? Regarding this, Tha‘labah bin Abi Malik states:

“Hazrat Umar (ra) bin al-Khattab was distributing shawls to the women of Medina. Out of these good-quality shawls, one remained. From among the people there, one of them said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! Give it to the daughter of the Holy Prophet (sa), who is with you [in marriage].’” He was referring to Hazrat Umm Kulthumra, the daughter of Hazrat Ali (ra).

“Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘No, Umm Salit is more deserving.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) further said, ‘Hazrat Umm Salit is from among those women of the Ansar who pledged allegiance to the Holy Prophet (sa). She used to carry water bags for us during the Battle of Uhud.’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Dhikr Umm Salit, Hadith 4071)

There is also mention in the narrations about how Hazrat Umar (ra) would bestow favours on the relatives of those who offered sacrifices. Zaid bin Aslam narrates on the authority of his father:

“I went to the market with Hazrat Umar (ra) bin al-Khattab. A young woman came from behind and greeted Hazrat Umar (ra) and said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! My husband has passed away, leaving behind young children. By Allah, they do not even have sheep trotters [to eat]. They do not have any land to harvest nor any animal that gives milk. I fear lest they succumb to famine. I am the daughter of Khufaf bin Ima Al-Ghifari; my father was present with the Holy Prophet (sa) during the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah.’

“Upon hearing this, Hazrat Umar (ra) stopped where he was and did not proceed further. Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘That is wonderful! Such a close relation.’ Then Hazrat Umar (ra) left and returned with a strong and healthy camel which was tied at his home. He loaded two sacks of grain on it; between the two sacks he placed enough money and clothes that would last them for an entire year. He then gave the reins of the camel to the woman and said, ‘Take this. This will not have finished by which time Allah will grant you more.’ A person said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! You have given a lot to this woman.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘May your mother mourn for you’”, i.e. he expressed his displeasure. “‘By Allah! I can still see her father and her brother before me, and how they managed to besiege a fort for a long time and eventually capture it. After that in the morning we divided their portions between us.’ i.e. the fort was conquered by both of them, for which all the Muslims received the spoils of war from it.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwat Hudaibiyah, Hadith 4160, 4161)

In other words, they all took a share from their portion [of the spoils]. This was the reason why she deserved all of the wealth given to her.