5. Would you like to meet him outside the institution? (cont.)

So pray the odd prayers (at night), O people of the Qur’an!” From the secret acts of worship you can perform is to make peace between people, such as your quarrelling colleagues, neighbours, or a husband and wife. The Prophet  said, “Shall I not inform you of a station better than praying, fasting and giving in charity?” People said, “Please, do.” He replied, “To make peace between people, and to cause enmity between people is what erodes things.” Also from the secret acts of worship you can perform is To worship in secret to remember Allah much, for whoever loves something always remembers it. The Prophet  said in a hadith, “Shall I tell you about the best of deeds, the most pure in the sight of your Lord, and the one that is of the highest order and far better for you than spending gold and silver (in charity)? It is even better for you than meeting your enemies on the battlefield where you strike at their necks and they at yours?” The Companions replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah! What is it?” The Prophet  said, “Remembrance of Allah.” Also from the secret acts of worship you can perform is to give charity in secret, for to give charity in secret extinguishes Allah’s anger. Whenever Abu Bakr – may Allah be pleased with him – prayed Fajr, he would then go out into the desert to collect something before returning to Madinah. ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – would be surprised as to why he would leave, so he decided one day to follow him secretly. After Fajr that day, he saw Abu Bakr leaving Madinah and arriving at an old tent in the desert. ‘Umar hid behind a huge rock to see what was about to happen. Abu Bakr spent very little time in the tent and then left. ‘Umar then emerged from behind the rock and entered the tent to find a weak and blind woman with small children. ‘Umar asked her, “Who is this person who comes to you?” She said, “I don’t know him. He is just an ordinary Muslim man. He has been coming to us every morning since such-and65 To worship in secret such a time.” ‘Umar said, “So what does he do for you?” She replied, “He cleans the house, prepares the dough, milks our animals, and then leaves.” ‘Umar  then left, saying to himself, “You have left the Caliphs who will succeed you exhausted, O Abu Bakr! You have left the Caliphs who will succeed you exhausted!” ‘Umar  himself was not that far below Abu Bakr’s level of worship and devotion. Once Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullah saw ‘Umar leaving his house in the darkest hour of the night and then enter several houses, one after the other. Talhah became surprised and thought what ‘Umar could be doing in these houses. When Talhah woke up the next morning, he went to the first house to find an old, blind and disabled woman. He said to her, “Why does this man come to you?” She replied, “He has promised to come to me since suchand-such a day. He comes to me to fulfil my needs and alleviate my suffering.” Talhah then left and said to himself, “May your mother lose you, O Talhah! Are you checking up on someone like ‘Umar?” One day, ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him – was heading for the outskirts of Madinah when he came across an old wayfarer resting in the middle of a path. He had erected his old tent and was sitting next to its entrance in a state of confusion. ‘Umar asked him, “Who are you?” He replied, “I am a Bedouin. I have come to Amir al-Mu’minin To worship in secret to be a recipient of his favours.” Meanwhile, ‘Umar heard a woman groan from inside the tent and asked the man about her. He said, “Don’t worry. Just go and fulfil your need.” ‘Umar replied, “This is, in fact, my need.” The man said, “My wife is about to give birth and I do not have any wealth or food. Nor do I have anyone to help me.” ‘Umar quickly returned to his home and said to his wife, Umm Kulthum, the daughter of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib – may Allah be pleased with them all, “Do you have anything at home that Allah has blessed you with?” She enquired, “Why do you ask?” He told her about the man. ‘Umar’s wife then carried with her some things, while ‘Umar carried a sack of food, a plate and firewood, and went to the man. ‘Umar’s wife then visited the man’s wife, while ‘Umar sat with the man. ‘Umar prepared the fire and blew on the flames while he was cooking the food; the smoke covered his beard while the man sat and watched.