While reading facebook feeds, I came across the following anecdote…

Source text:

Translation:

… they came to Umar bin Abdul Azeez, the Caliph, bringing with them alms collection (i.e. zakaat money)… Then, the Caliph issued his order: “Spend the money on poor people!”…

They responded: “Poor people no longer exist among the Muslims.”

The Caliph said: “Then use it to prepare and purchase equipment for the soldiers!”

They responded: “Soldiers of Islam are already currently exploring and colonizing the world.”

The Caliph said: “Then use it to help youths getting married in their expenses!”

They responded: “Whoever wants to marry has already done so.”

There are still money to be spent. So the Caliph said: “Use the remaining money to payoff the debts of those having debts.”

So they spent the money to payoff debts, but there are still extra money remaining to be spent. So the Caliph said: “Try to look into the affairs of the non-Muslims (1), in case there are people with debts among them as well, then use the money to payoff their debts!”

So they spent the money to help non-Muslims payoff their debts. But there are still extra money remaining to be spent. So the Caliph said: “Give money to scholars of knowledge!”

So they gave money to scholars of knowledge. But  there are still extra money remaining to be spent. So the Caliph said: “Use the remaining money to purchase wheat and then scatter the wheat on peak of mountains so that nobody could say ‘birds in the Muslim lands feel hungry’ !”

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Translated by Abu Abdullah

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Notes:

1. The term Ahlu dh-Dhimmah refers to non-Muslims, usually Jews and Christians, living under protection of states ruled by Muslims.