The Companions r.a. – Hazrat Umar r.a.

Jalees Ahmad, Al Hakam

Born: 584. Mecca, Arabia

Full name: Umar Ibn Al-Khattab 

Father: Khattab Ibn Nufayl

Tribe: Quraish (Banu Adi)

Background

Hazrat Umar^ra was born 13 years after ‘Aam-ul-Fil – year of the Elephant. He was 13 years younger than the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa and was among one of the respected tribes of Mecca.

Illiteracy was common in the pre-Islamic era; not many knew how to read or write and would rely solely on memory. Hazrat Umar^ra however, was among the few who had learnt to read and write in his youth.

When the Holy Prophet^sa was commissioned by God to spread the teachings of Islam, Hazrat Umar^ra, like many others in Mecca, opposed Islam. When the people of Mecca continued to persecute the Muslims, the Holy Prophet^sa ordered some of the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia. When Hazrat Umar^ra heard of this he was concerned and angry due to the division caused within the Quraish and as a result decided to kill the Holy Prophet^sa. 

Acceptance of Islam

Hazrat Umar^ra left his house, sword in hand, with the intent to kill the Holy Prophet^sa. As he made his way, he saw Naeem Bin Abdullah who asked Hazrat Umar^ra where he was heading off to and what his intentions were. Hazrat Umar^ra replied that he was going out to kill the Holy Prophet^sa. Naeem Bin Abdullah told Hazrat Umar^ra to first enquire about his own household members, as his sister, Fatimah^ra, and her husband had accepted Islam. Enraged at hearing this, he stormed off in the direction of his sister’s house. 

He found them reciting the Holy Quran. Witnessing this Hazrat Umar^ra, unable to contain himself, began quarrelling with his brother-in-law. As things escalated quickly, his sister tried to stop them and by doing so Hazrat Umar’s^ra hand struck her face causing her to bleed. When Hazrat Umar^ra saw what he had done, he stopped immediately and told them to leave Islam, upon which they replied in the negative and said to him, “You may kill us but we will never leave.”

Hearing this Hazrat Umar^ra calmed down and asked his sister to recite a few verses from the Quran. The verses recited before Hazrat Umar^ra were from Surah Taha or Surah Al-Hadid. 

Hearing these verses Hazrat Umar^ra began to weep and said that surely those were the words of Allah, the One God. After this, Hazrat Umar^ra rushed directly to the Holy Prophet^sa with the same sword he had intended to kill him with. However, instead, he accepted Islam.

In Ahadith, we find that the Holy Prophet^sa prayed to Allah sayin:

“O Allah, strengthen Islam with one of two men whom you love more: Amr ibn Hisham [Abu Jahl] or Umar ibn al-Khattab.” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

Thus, it was due to the prayer of the Holy Prophet^sa that God’s decree came into effect.

Hazrat Umar^ra embracing Islam gave confidence and granted power to the Muslims in Mecca. 

Persecution

Though Hazrat Umar^ra accepted Islam, the disbelievers of Mecca continued to persecute the Muslims. They started gathering around Hazrat Umar’s^ra home and raised slogans saying, “Umar has no religion.” 

Witnessing this Aas Ibn Wail, who was a relative of Hazrat Umar, told Hazrat Umar^ra to stay with him as he would be safe. Hazrat Umar^ra remained and said that he did not deem it appropriate to seek refuge whilst his Muslim brothers had to face the persecution. 

Facing the persecution head on, Hazrat Umar^ra requested the Holy Prophet^sa to lead the congregational prayer at the Ka‘bah. Upon this, the Holy Prophet^sa gathered all the Muslims and prayed openly for the first time at Masjid Al-Haram. The Holy Prophet^sa gave Hazrat Umar^ra the title Al-Faruq – the one who distinguishes from right and wrong.

Khilafat

The many services Hazrat Umar^ra rendered as the Khalifa are reflections of his life as a successful leader. Under his leadership, Islam spread rapidly by virtue of the beautiful teachings, simplicity and moral conduct found within the core of Islam. 

It was commonly known among all people present at the time of Hazrat Umar’s^ra leadership, that he would strictly follow the principle of equality and justice. People of different faiths were all able to co-exist together and all were given the freedom to practice their religion openly. This then opened the door for people to see the true essence of Islam and the conversion of many high religious personalities, as they saw Islam as a continuation of the Abrahamic faith.

During his Khilafat, Hazrat Umar^ra introduced the system of Shura (Consultative Body), Bait-ul-Mal (Treasury), discipline among fellow countrymen and many more successful endeavours. 

Worship

On multiple occasions, the Quran addresses the purpose of man’s creation and says that man was created so that he may worship his Creator. We find a narration regarding Hazrat Umar’s^ra excellent example of worship. 

Once after the Conquest of Mecca, Hazrat Umar^ra asked the Holy Prophet^sa if he could spend one night alone at Masjid Al-Haram. The Holy Prophet^sa granted him permission and also told him to remember him in his prayers.

Acceptance of Prayer

Hazrat Umar’s^ra belief in God and acceptance was so strong and firm that on many occasions, companions narrated that Hazrat Umar^ra would ask children to pray for him because in God’s eyes all children were free from sin.

Al-Faruq

Before his conversion to Islam, Hazrat Umar’s^ra character and status was known all throughout Mecca. Now, the whole world knows him as one of the most powerful and influential persons to walk this earth. He was a true and just leader and showed respect to all, regardless of their faith. He had a personality that inspired many people; to date his name is echoed throughout history.