Futuhusham_-_The_Islamic_Conquest_of_Syria_-_Al_Waqidi

Part 4: Baytul Muqaddas
to us. When he mentioned 'Umar's ~ clothes he said, "My heart contains something
which people would want to overlook."
I said, "Tell me and do not fear the truth for fearing the Truth leads to Hell. Truth is
a trust and lying is a betrayal."
He said, "When 'Umar ~ put on his rags a second time he distinguished himself in
his garb of poverty. The whole universe was astonished at his ascetism and patience
at that time when the world had presented to him desirable adornments i.e. the horse
and linen."
"The world then appeared in a form of a woman. She was completely decorated from
head to toe to seduce him. She was hoping to negate all his struggles against his
carnal self. She became visible to him, coming before him with her beautiful
clothing and false pomp seeking to trade with him. That is, she threatened that if
'Umar ~ would not love her then he would not be able to attain her, nor would the
world serve him anymore."
"'Vmar ~ however maintained the people's obedience to him by means of his
blameless character. She was desirous of trapping him and in her failure she
resembled the description (of the woman who tried to seduce Yilsuf~\):
She is madly in love with him. Verily we see her to be clearly
astray.
"She then said, '0 'Umar ~,'you have been given rule over my Earth, therefore you
will have to take me as your share as well. No government can last without fine
clothing, delicious food and harshness towards the citizenry. '"
" 'Umar ~ replied, 'Go away! I am not one of your men, nor am I of those who will
fall in your traps and charms. Do you not know that I have dedicated myself to
oppose you? Your appearing like this before me does not concern me. What does
concern me is my mission to uphold the work of the master of all the nations, until I
conquer the lands of Rome and Persia.'''
"The effects of his struggle against his carnal self then became visible on her face.
This struggle was in line with what Allah commands:
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