Umar: Spiritual well-being

"Pay a great deal of attention to your heart.

Talk to your troops, exhort them

and remind them of the importance of good intentions

and of checking on themselves.

Patience, patience.

For the help of God comes

in accordance with how much one checks himself.

Ask God to keep you safe and sound,

and frequently repeat the words:

'There is no power and no strength except with God.'

Fear God and put your hope in Him,

and do not take anything for granted..."

(Snippets of Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas [may God be pleased with them both] when he appointed him commander over the Muslim army in Iraq)

Umar: The visible and hidden signs of faith

"The signs of faith are instilled by God in the heart;

some are hidden and some are visible.

As for that which is visible,

it is when the one who praises a person

and the one who criticises him

on the basis of truth

are the same to him.

As for that which is hidden,

it may be manifested in wisdom

flowing from his heart on his tongue

and people's love for him.

Indeed you can think of your status before God

by checking your status before the people who are with you..."

(Snippets of Umar ibn al-Khattab's advice to Sa'd Ibn Abi Waqqas [may God be pleased with them both] when he appointed him commander over the army in Iraq)