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However, his confusion did not last long. The truthfulness to himself helped him to find a way out.
`Umair immediately behaved like a strong man and a pious believer. He turned to Julaas Ibn Suwaid, "O
Julaas, by Allah, you're one of the most beloved to myself and the last one I would like to see afflicted by
something he dislikes. You've now said something that if I spread it around, it would harm you; if I keep
silent, I would ruin my religion, and the fulfillment of duty towards religion has priority. So I'm going to
inform the Messenger of Allah what you've said!"
Here `Umair pleased his pious conscience completely. First, he fulfilled the duty of preserving the
trustworthiness of private talks and elevated his great noble soul away from the role of a slandering
listener. Second, he fulfilled his duty towards his religion and shed light on a suspicious hypocrite. Third,
he gave Julaas a chance to reconsider his fault and to ask Allah for forgiveness. if he had done that
straightforwardly, then his conscience would have found peace, because it would not have been
necessary any more to inform the Prophet (PBUH).
However, Julaas's pride made him hold to his falsehood. His lips did not spell out the word "sorry"
nor any other apology. `Umair left him saying, "I will inform the Prophet (PBUH) before a revelation
makes me a partner of your sin."
The Prophet (PBUH) sent for Julaas, who denied and moreover swore by Allah that he had not said
that! However, a Qur'aanic verse demonstrated clearly the true and the false: "They swear by GOD that
they said nothing, but they indeed uttered the word of unbelief, and disbelieved after they had become
Muslims, and they intended a plot but could not accomplish what they intended and they only showed
hostility towards Islam after GOD and His Messenger had enriched them out of His Bounty, so if they
repent it will be better for them, so if they turn away, GOD will chastise them with a painful
chastisement in this world and the Hereafter, and on earth there will be none to protect or help them" (9 :
74).
Julaas found himself forced to confess his fault and to apologize, especially when he heard the holy
verse which accused him, promising him at the same moment Allah's mercy if he repented and refrained
from that: "So if they repent it will be better for them".
`Umair's action was a blessing for Julaas. Thus Julaas repented and his Islamic conduct turned to be
more righteous than before. The Prophet (PBUH) held his ear and praised him, "O my boy! Your ear was
loyal and your Lord believed you."
I was delighted when I met `Umair for the first time four years ago while composing my book
Between the Hands of `Umar. I was amazed. Nothing could amaze me so much as what happened
between him and the Commander of the Faithful. I am going to narrate to you that event for you to enjoy
with me "excellence" in its most precious and magnificent form.
You all know that the Commander of the Faithful, `Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) chose
his governors very cautiously as if choosing his destiny He always chose them from among the ascetic,
pious, honest, and truthful: those who escaped from power and authority and would not accept it unless
forced by the Commander of the Faithful to do so.
Despite his unerring insight and his overwhelming experience, he was very deliberate when
choosing his governors and counselors, dealing scrupulously with his decision.
He never stopped his famous statement: "I need a man who, if among his clan would seem to be
their prince while he isn't so in reality, and who, if among them would seem to be an ordinary one while
being their prince in reality. I need a governor who won't favor himself above the other people in terms
of clothing, food, or dwelling; who will lead them in their prayers, distribute their dues among them
fairly, and rule them justly, never shutting his door leaving their needs and wishes unfulfilled.
According to these strict requisites he chose `Umair Ibn Sa'd to be a governor over Homs. `Umair
tried to free himself of that task and to save himself, but the Commander of the Faithful obligated him