- DailySunnah
- Posts
- The Slave Who Whipped Nobility
The Slave Who Whipped Nobility
Sometimes the most powerful demonstrations of justice happen not in grand courtrooms, but in the aftermath of a simple horse race.
What began as a competition between two young men in Egypt would ultimately define the character of an entire civilization.
Muhammad ibn Amr ibn al-As (RA), the son of the governor of Egypt, was racing his horse against a local Coptic Christian.
A man who was also a slave.
It should have been innocent competition, but when the Coptic man won, something ugly emerged.
Unable to handle being beaten by someone he considered beneath his “status”, Muhammad struck the winner with his whip repeatedly and declared: "I am the son of the nobles! I am the son of the conquerors! How dare you humiliate me this way!"
This Coptic slave, someone with no social standing, no political connections, no wealth or influence, then made a bold decision.
He had heard that Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) didn't let injustice slide, regardless of who committed it.
So he left Egypt and traveled all the way to Madinah to file a complaint against the governor's son.
Think about the risk.
He was a slave challenging the son of the most powerful man in Egypt.
He was a Christian minority in an Islamic state.
He was a nobody going up against somebody.
But he believed in the justice system enough to risk everything for it.
When Umar (RA) heard the complaint, He didn't send a letter or dispatch an investigator.
He ordered Amr ibn al-As (RA), the conqueror and governor of Egypt, to leave his post and bring his son to Madinah immediately.
Amr ibn al-As (RA) was one of the greatest military leaders in Islamic history, the man who had brought Egypt under Islamic rule, and here he was being summoned like a schoolboy because of an accusation.
When father and son arrived in Madinah, Umar (RA) investigated and confirmed that the incident had indeed occurred.
Then he did something that demonstrated the revolutionary nature of Islamic justice.
He handed the whip to the Coptic slave and said, "Hit him back. Strike him the way he struck you."
The slave hesitated.
This was the governor's son, after all.
But Umar (RA) insisted: "Hit him back."
But Umar (RA) wasn't finished.
After the son received his retribution, Umar (RA) turned to the father: "Now put the whip on the head of Amr ibn al-As (RA), because it was in his name that you were humiliated."
The message was crystal clear: leadership creates responsibility not just for your own actions, but for the culture and behavior of those under your authority.
Amr's (RA) son had invoked his father's status to justify his abuse, so the father bore responsibility for that abuse.
This incident isn't just about justice being served, but how it was served.
A slave's complaint brought the governor of Egypt to the capital for accountability.
A slave’s dignity mattered enough to disrupt the schedule of one of the empire's most important leaders.
The Coptic man's rights as a human being trumped every consideration of political convenience, social hierarchy, or administrative efficiency.
In three simple acts, Umar (RA) revolutionized how power worked in human society:
First, he established that complaints from the powerless would be heard and investigated, regardless of who they accused.
Second, he demonstrated that status and family connections do not protect from the consequences of injustice.
Third, he showed that leaders are accountable not just for their behavior, but for the culture they create and allow.
Reflect on this?
👶 SunnahStories

Deep within the jungle wide, A tiger walked with fearsome stride. His claws were sharp, his roar was deep, And all the beasts their distance keep. Then down the path so small and bright, A fox appeared—a clever sight. The tiger grinned, his teeth so bare, "This fox will be my meal to share!" But Zayd, the fox, with cunning wise, Looked up and spoke with fearless eyes, "O mighty beast, let’s not be rash, For even I make creatures dash!" The tiger laughed, his voice so bold, "You think you're feared? That tale is old!" | "Then follow me, and you will see, That every beast will run from me!" Through jungle thick, through trees so tall, The creatures fled—yes, one and all! The tiger blinked, "This must be true! The jungle fears the fox—not you!" But as he thought, the truth did shine, The fear was his, not fox’s sign. He growled and spoke, so firm, so wise, "True strength is never built on lies." The fox then bowed, his pride now small, For arrogance will make one fall. And so he learned, both strong and free, That humble hearts are best to be. |
Reflection Questions:
1️⃣ How did the fox trick the tiger into believing he was feared?
2️⃣ Why did the tiger eventually realize the truth?
3️⃣ What does Islam teach about arrogance and deception?
4️⃣ How does true strength come from honesty and humility?
5️⃣ Can you think of a time when someone’s pride made them believe something untrue?
What did you think of today's SunnahStories?We'll use your feedback to improve them! |
🍉 WatermelonWatch: Day 674-677
🇵🇸 342 Palestinians killed incl. 116 aid seekers in Gaza in 96 hrs
Gaza City:
1️⃣ Israel ramps up attacks on Gaza City (north) since announcing plan to occupy the city, 4 days of intensified air raids killing 61 people on Wednesday alone
2️⃣ Deadly airstrikes on homes in Zeitoun killed 12+ Palestinians, another attack killed 11+ people including. 6 kids & injured 41+, bombed 2 homes killing 7 people. Other attacks on homes across the city — killing a family of 4 in Sahaba; killed 3 Palestinians incl. a child in Sabra & trapped 20 under rubble
3️⃣ UNRWA: 1/5 children in Gaza City are malnourished
4️⃣ IOF opened fire at aid seekers in Gaza City killing 12 people
‼️ 23 Palestinians incl. 8 children killed by starvation in 96 hrs
📦 Air-dropped aid package struck & killed a 15 y/o Palestinian as Israel continues to block entry of aid trucks
🌾 Ongoing Israeli attacks targeting aid seekers at aid traps in Khan Younis, Rafah & Morag Axis (south) killing dozens; more attacks in central & north killed dozens more
🚩 Hamas sniped 2 soldiers in Tuffah (Gaza City); targeted IOF command center in Rafah; hit 2 IOF tanks + al-Quds Brigades targeted IOF vehicle in Khan Younis (south)
🇵🇸 West Bank: Deadly raids & settler attacks as IOF shot & killed 25 y/o in Jericho; off-duty soldier shot & killed a 35 y/o in Nablus after settlers attacked a 14 y/o boy & armed settlers opened fire at other Palestinians
ﻡ of the Day

Reply