An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
8. Manners In Speech
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the treasury.” While Umar was still standing on the
pulpit, a woman of the Quraysh arose and said,
“Commander of the Faithful, are we to do what the
Book of God says, or what you say?” “What the
Book of God says,” replied Umar, and asked her the
purpose of her question, “You have just forbidden
dowries exceeding a certain amount. But the Qur’an
says: “Do not take from her the dowry you have
given her, even if it be a talent of gold.” “Everyone
knows better than Umar,” said the Caliph,
repeating these words a second and a third time.
Then he again addressed the people: “I have just
told you not to be extravagant in your marriage
dowries,” he said and then, modifying his earlier
statement, he continued, but it is for you to decide
how much you give; just think if dowries were
indicative of high rank in hereafter, surely the
daughters and wives of the Prophet would have
been more deserving of them.
(KANZ AL-UMMAL)
OPENNESS TO ADMONITION: A SIGN OF
ISLAMIC CHARACTER
Adi ibn Hatim once observed: “So long as you are
