Letter of the Conquest of Alexandria to Hazrat Umar (ra)

Hazrat Amr (ra) dispatched a messenger to Medina with instructions for him to ride as fast as he possibly could to convey this good news to the leader of the faithful. The messenger mounted the she-camel and traversed the landscape until finally arriving in Medina. It was afternoon and the messenger, thinking it was resting time, avoided going straight to the Khalifa’s residence and instead headed to the Prophet’s Mosque [Masjid al-Nabawi]. Coincidentally, a female servant of Hazrat Umar (ra) was passing by and asked the messenger who he was and where he had travelled from.

“From Alexandria”, replied the messenger. The servant rushed and immediately informed Hazrat Umar (ra) and on returning said, “Come, the Leader of the Faithful calls for you.” Hazrat Umar (ra) was already about to head there himself and was arranging his shawl, when the messenger arrived. Hazrat Umar (ra) received news of the victory and fell down into prostration in gratitude to Allah. He then got up and went to the mosque and made an announcement: “Al-Salat-ul-Jami”.

All of Medina heeded this call and arrived. The messenger informed all of the details of the victory. Thereafter, the messenger went with Hazrat Umar (ra) to his residence and the messenger was presented with a meal. Hazrat Umar (ra) enquired from the messenger, “Why did you not come directly to me?” The messenger explained, “I thought you would be resting at the time.” Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “How did you misconceive this about me? If I rest during the day then who would bear the responsibility of the station of Khilafat?”