A story about tolerance & respect

Omar Bin Al-Khattab In Jerusalem The Caliph left Ali in Medina as his deputy and himself left for Jerusalem. He had only one attendant with him and only one camel to ride. Omar and the attendant rode the camel by turns. It happened to be the servant’s turn to ride on the day when they were to reach Jerusalem. “Commander of the Faithful,” said the attendant, “I give up my turn. It will look awkward, in the eyes of the people, if I ride and you lead the camel.” “Oh no,” replied Omar, “I am not going to be unjust. The honor of Islam is enough for us all.” Abu Obaid, Khalid, Yazid and other officers of the army went some distance to receive the Caliph. All of them were wearing silk cloaks. This made Omar angry. He took some pebbles and threw them at his generals, saying, “Have you changed so much in just two years? What dress is this? Even if you had done this two hundred years from now, I would have dismissed you.” The officers replied, “Commander of the Faithful, we are in a land where the quality of clothes worn tells the rank of a man. If we wear ordinary clothes, we will command little respect among the people. However, we are wearing our arms underneath the silken robes.” This answer cooled down the anger of the Caliph. Next the Caliph signed the treaty of peace. It ran as follows: “From the servant of Allah and the Commander of the Faithful, Omar: The inhabitants of Jerusalem are granted security of life and property. Their churches and crosses shall be secure. This treaty applies to all people of the city. Their places of worship shall remain intact. These shall neither be taken over nor pulled down. People shall be quite free to follow their religion. They shall not be put to any trouble…” The gates of the city were now opened. Omar went straight to Al-Masjid-i-Aqsa. Here he said his prayer . Next he visited the biggest Christian church of the city. He was in the church when the time for the afternoon prayer came. “You may say your prayers in the church,” said the Bishop. “No,” replied Omar, “if I do so, the Muslims may one day make this an excuse for taking over the church from you.” So he said his prayers on the steps of the church. Even then, he gave the Bishop a writing. It said that the steps were never to be used for congregational prayers nor was the Adhan [ call to prayer ] to be said there.

Enneagram

 The enneagram is a system that permits us to analyse our personalities, using a set of nine types that help us recognize our own qualities end challenges.

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