While They Cling to Thrones, He Clung to the Hereafter — Umar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz | Shaykh Musa Jibril

While today’s rulers cling desperately to their thrones, Umar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz (rahimahullāh) clung to the Hereafter. Power did not intoxicate him — it humbled him. When others built palaces, he restored justice. When others sought luxury, he sought forgiveness.

In a world where leadership often means greed and betrayal, Umar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz stands as a timeless example of what it means to rule for Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, not for oneself. His short rule revived the Ummah, ended oppression, and restored the Sunnah across the land.

This reminder contrasts the sincerity of a ruler who feared the Day of Judgment with the corruption of those who fear losing their throne. It’s a call for every Muslim — to lead their life, home, or people — with the same devotion and humility that defined Umar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz (rahimahullāh).

“The Hereafter was in his heart, not the throne beneath him.”