I read this story recently and was so taken by it that I wanted to share it with as many brothers and sisters as possible.
The story took place at the time of Caliph Omar bin Al-Khatab may Allah be pleased with him, he was assigning an allowance (little amount of money) from the Muslim treasure for his wife to spend it on their daily needs.
One day; she craved sweets, but she did not have money to buy them. She thought of asking her husband -since he is the caliph to give her money to buy the sweets. Omar replied: but I have not money.
She decided to save from the daily allowance and after five days she bought the sweets and vowed not to eat from it until her husband does.
She carried the sweets to her husband, and when he saw them he was chocked.
He said: there is sweet in Omar's house? meaning how could we have that and I do not give you enough money!!
She told him that it was paid for from the little allowance she gets.
Omar may Allah be pleased with him, asked his wife to take them to the Muslim treasury untouched because they are not entitled to have that.
He explaied to her that he is entitled only to the bare minimum from the Muslim treasurey and if she was able to save, then he was giving out too much. That money belongs to all the Muslims and they are not to splurge on themselves.
These were the Muslims who learned from Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
These were the leaders who new their job is to serve and being served.
These were the Muslims who gave up the pleasures of this live in return for the pleasures of the hereafter.
Allah knows best
Salam
