As-salaamu'alaykum,
If Umar encouraged others to keep track of their deeds, he certainly set a good example himself, being stricter and harsher with his own self than he was with any other person. The following saying of Umar points to the high standard of accountability that Umar had set for himself:
“Were a young goat die on the shore of the Euphrates River, I would become afraid that Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) would hold Umar accountable for that death.”
(Manaaqib Umar, pgs. 160-161)
According to another account, Ali ibn Abi Taalib (radiyAllaahu anh) reported that he once saw Umar riding quickly away while seated upon the saddle of a riding camel. Ali called out,
“O Leader of the believers, where are you going?”
Umar replied,
“One of the camels that was earmarked for charity broke loose and wandered away and I am going out to find it.”
Ali said,
“You are putting to shame the Khaleefahs that will come after you.”
Perhaps Ali meant that Umar was setting a precedent of doing menial tasks, a precedent that Khaleefahs who came after him would have to follow. Or perhaps Ali meant that Umar was putting future Khaleefahs to shame since not a single one of them would be able to match Umar’s dedication to his job. At any rate, Umar replied,
“O Abul-Hasan, do not put blame on me, for by the One Who has sent Muhammad
as a Prophet, were the life of a young female goat to be taken by the shore of the Euphrates River, Umar would be held accountable for its death on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Manaaqib Umar, pg. 161)
If Umar encouraged others to keep track of their deeds, he certainly set a good example himself, being stricter and harsher with his own self than he was with any other person. The following saying of Umar points to the high standard of accountability that Umar had set for himself:
“Were a young goat die on the shore of the Euphrates River, I would become afraid that Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’aala) would hold Umar accountable for that death.”
(Manaaqib Umar, pgs. 160-161)
According to another account, Ali ibn Abi Taalib (radiyAllaahu anh) reported that he once saw Umar riding quickly away while seated upon the saddle of a riding camel. Ali called out,
“O Leader of the believers, where are you going?”
Umar replied,
“One of the camels that was earmarked for charity broke loose and wandered away and I am going out to find it.”
Ali said,
“You are putting to shame the Khaleefahs that will come after you.”
Perhaps Ali meant that Umar was setting a precedent of doing menial tasks, a precedent that Khaleefahs who came after him would have to follow. Or perhaps Ali meant that Umar was putting future Khaleefahs to shame since not a single one of them would be able to match Umar’s dedication to his job. At any rate, Umar replied,
“O Abul-Hasan, do not put blame on me, for by the One Who has sent Muhammad
as a Prophet, were the life of a young female goat to be taken by the shore of the Euphrates River, Umar would be held accountable for its death on the Day of Resurrection.”(Manaaqib Umar, pg. 161)
