On one occasion, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) took four hundred gold coins, put it in a bag and gave it to his servant saying, “Go to Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and give this money to him. Thereafter, remain there for a while to see what he does with the money (and return and inform me).”
The servant took the bag of gold coins and went to Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He presented the gift saying, “Ameerul Mu-mineen has said that you should spend this on your needs.”
Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) accepted the gift and made dua for Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying, “May Allah Ta’ala grant him His special proximity and have mercy upon him”.
Thereafter, he called his slave girl and took out a few gold coins from the bag and said, “Take this seven gold coins and give it to so and so person.” He then took out a few more and said, “Give this five gold coins to so and so person.” He continued taking out gold coins from the bag and giving it to his slave girl, commanding her to give it to different people until the entire amount was depleted and finished.
When Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard of how Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) spent the money on the servants of Allah in charity, he was extremely pleased.
(Al-Mu’jamul Kabeer #46)