The Khalîf Omar, one of the first khalîfs after the Prophet, is deeply venerated to this day, and is continually referred to as a lover of truth and justice. Often in the face of strong evidence he refrained from passing judgment, and this prudence led more than once to the liberation of the innocent and the punishment of the guilty. The following story is told as an instance of his wise patience in a murder case.

At the Feast of the Passover a certain Jew of Bagdad had sacrificed his sheep and was offering up his prayers, when suddenly a dog came in, and, snatching up the sheep's head, ran off with it. The Jew pursued in hot haste, forgetting in his excitement that he was still carrying the bloody knife and wearing his blood-stained apron.

Still carrying the sheep's head, the dog rushed into an open doorway, followed closely by the Jew. The latter in his hurried pursuit fell over the body of what proved to be a murdered man. The murder was laid against the Jew, and witnesses swore that they had seen him coming out of the house covered with blood, and in his hand a bloody dagger.

The Jew was arrested and tried, but with covered head he swore by his forefathers and children that he was innocent.

Omar would not condemn him, as none of the witnesses had seen the Jew do the deed, and until further evidence had been given to prove his guilt the case was adjourned. Meanwhile, unknown to anybody, spies and detectives were set to work on the case, with the result that after a time the real murderers were discovered, condemned, and put to death, while the Jew was liberated.