Life Of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ALLAH Bless With Him)
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Umar full name is Umar ibn Al-Khattab (Arabic: عمر بن الخطاب, Umar Son of Al-Khattab) born in 579 CE – died on 6 November 644 CE, was one of the most powerful and influential Muslim caliphs in history. He was a Sahabi (companion) of the Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He succeeded Caliph Abu Bakr (632–634) as the second Caliph of Rashidun Caliphate on 23 August 634. He was an expert Islamic jurist and is best known for his pious and just nature, which earned him the title "Al-Faruq" (The one who distinguishes between right and wrong"). He is sometimes referred to as Caliph 'Umar I by historians of Islam, since a later Umayyad caliph, 'Umar II, also bore that name.
Under Umar the Islamic empire expanded at an unprecedented rate ruling the whole Sassanid Persian Empire and more than two thirds of the Eastern Roman Empire. His attacks against the Sassanid Persian Empire resulted in the conquest of the Persian empire in less than two years. It was Umar, according to Jewish tradition, who set aside the Christian ban on Jews and allowed Jews into Jerusalem and to worship.
Under Umar the Islamic empire expanded at an unprecedented rate ruling the whole Sassanid Persian Empire and more than two thirds of the Eastern Roman Empire. His attacks against the Sassanid Persian Empire resulted in the conquest of the Persian empire in less than two years. It was Umar, according to Jewish tradition, who set aside the Christian ban on Jews and allowed Jews into Jerusalem and to worship.
Life from Birth till Hijrat
The exact date of the birth of Umar is not known. The concensus of opinion, however, is that Umar was born at Mecca around 579 A.D/ 580 A.D. He was younger than the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by about ten years. His father was Khattab ibn Nufayl and his mother was Fatima bint Hasham, from the tribe of Banu Makhzum. One of the sisters of Umar's mother, Umm Salma was married to the Holy Prophet.
Umar belonged to the Adi clan of the Quraish, which was responsible for arbitrations among the tribes. It was one of the ten clans of the Quraish who inhabited Mecca.
Among Umar's ancestors, Adi rose to prominence as a diplomat, and the clan came to be known after him. Whenever the Quraish of the day had to negotiate any settlement with any other tribe, Adi represented the interests of the Quraish as an ambassador. Even in the case of disputes among the Quraish themselves, Adi acted as the arbitrator. After the death of Adi the two offices of diplomatic representation and arbitration became hereditary in his descendants.
The pedigree of Umar was: Umar the son of Khattab; the son of Nufail; the son of Abul Uzza; the son of Riza; the son of Ribah; the son of Qurat; the son of Adi; the son of Kab.
The pedigree of the Holy Prophet was: Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) the son of Abdullah; the son of Abdul Muttalib; the son of Hashim; the son of Abd Munaf; the son of Qussay; the son of Kulab; the son of Ka'b. In the case of the Holy Prophet and Umar, Ka'b in the ninth degree was their common ancestor.
Umar had several brothers and sisters. The most well known out of these were: Zaid and Fatima. Zaid and Umar were step brothers, their mothers being different. Nevertheless the two brothers were devoted to each other. When Zaid was later martyred at the battle of Yamama during the caliphate of Abu Bakr, Umar was highly grieved. He used to say, "Whenever the wind blows from Yamama, it brings me the fragrance of Zaid."
Fatima was the real sister of Umar. She was married to her cousin Saeed bin Zaid bin Amr. She played an important role in the conversion of Umar to Islam.
Amr, a brother of Khattab was a paternal uncle of Umar. Zaid the son of Amr, and a cousin of Umar was among the distinguished persons of the Quraish, who before the advent of Islam gave up idolatry, and came to believe in the unity of God. Zaid was a poet.
Khattab the father of Umar persecuted Zaid for his religious beliefs. Zaid died before the Holy Prophet announced his prophetic mission. When the Holy Prophet proclaimed his prophethood, Saeed the son of Zaid who had married Umar's sister Fatima, was among the early converts to Islam.No account is preserved about the early life of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) during the days of ignorance. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) belonged to an ordinary family of average means and there was nothing conspicuous about Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) or his family during the days of ignorance to be recorded or chronicled. We can merely pick up stray accounts here and there, and try to weave them into a readable narrative.
It appears that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) grew up as a typical Arab-a tall young man with a fine physique and impressive personality. When he was a child his father put him to the task of grazing camels. Khattab was a hard taskmaster, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) often recalled how his father belaboured him mercilessly whenever there was a lapse on his part. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also recalled that when he was a child he used to graze the flocks of goats and sheep of his maternal aunts who doled out pittance to him in the shape of dates.
As a child, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) used to graze the animals under his charge in the grazing ground Dajnan, about ten miles from Mecca. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) became the Khalifa, he happened to pass through Dajnan. Turning to his companions he said
Umar belonged to the Adi clan of the Quraish, which was responsible for arbitrations among the tribes. It was one of the ten clans of the Quraish who inhabited Mecca.
Among Umar's ancestors, Adi rose to prominence as a diplomat, and the clan came to be known after him. Whenever the Quraish of the day had to negotiate any settlement with any other tribe, Adi represented the interests of the Quraish as an ambassador. Even in the case of disputes among the Quraish themselves, Adi acted as the arbitrator. After the death of Adi the two offices of diplomatic representation and arbitration became hereditary in his descendants.
The pedigree of Umar was: Umar the son of Khattab; the son of Nufail; the son of Abul Uzza; the son of Riza; the son of Ribah; the son of Qurat; the son of Adi; the son of Kab.
The pedigree of the Holy Prophet was: Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) the son of Abdullah; the son of Abdul Muttalib; the son of Hashim; the son of Abd Munaf; the son of Qussay; the son of Kulab; the son of Ka'b. In the case of the Holy Prophet and Umar, Ka'b in the ninth degree was their common ancestor.
Umar had several brothers and sisters. The most well known out of these were: Zaid and Fatima. Zaid and Umar were step brothers, their mothers being different. Nevertheless the two brothers were devoted to each other. When Zaid was later martyred at the battle of Yamama during the caliphate of Abu Bakr, Umar was highly grieved. He used to say, "Whenever the wind blows from Yamama, it brings me the fragrance of Zaid."
Fatima was the real sister of Umar. She was married to her cousin Saeed bin Zaid bin Amr. She played an important role in the conversion of Umar to Islam.
Amr, a brother of Khattab was a paternal uncle of Umar. Zaid the son of Amr, and a cousin of Umar was among the distinguished persons of the Quraish, who before the advent of Islam gave up idolatry, and came to believe in the unity of God. Zaid was a poet.
Khattab the father of Umar persecuted Zaid for his religious beliefs. Zaid died before the Holy Prophet announced his prophetic mission. When the Holy Prophet proclaimed his prophethood, Saeed the son of Zaid who had married Umar's sister Fatima, was among the early converts to Islam.No account is preserved about the early life of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) during the days of ignorance. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) belonged to an ordinary family of average means and there was nothing conspicuous about Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) or his family during the days of ignorance to be recorded or chronicled. We can merely pick up stray accounts here and there, and try to weave them into a readable narrative.
It appears that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) grew up as a typical Arab-a tall young man with a fine physique and impressive personality. When he was a child his father put him to the task of grazing camels. Khattab was a hard taskmaster, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) often recalled how his father belaboured him mercilessly whenever there was a lapse on his part. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also recalled that when he was a child he used to graze the flocks of goats and sheep of his maternal aunts who doled out pittance to him in the shape of dates.
As a child, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) used to graze the animals under his charge in the grazing ground Dajnan, about ten miles from Mecca. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) became the Khalifa, he happened to pass through Dajnan. Turning to his companions he said
"Gracious heavens! There was a time when I used to roam about this desert as a camel-herd, wearing a felt jacket, and whenever I sat down tired my father beat me. Now the times have changed. There is now none save God as my superior."
Among the Quraish of those days, reading and writing was not in vogue. In spite of that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) received education in reading and writing. It is related that among the Quraish of Mecca only seventeen persons could read and write, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was one of them. That has to be acknowledged as a great attainment.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) father was an authority in tracing genealogies. Under the guidance of his father, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also acquired matchless skill in the matter of the study of pedigrees. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) knew intimately as to who was who among the Quraish. He was also well versed in the knowledge of the history of Arabia. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was blessed with a strong physique. He could undergo great rigours. He could travel on foot for miles. He was an athlete and a wrestler. He participated in the wrestling matches on the occasion of the annual fair at Ukaz, and he won in most of such matches. From the accounts that have come down to us it appears that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had attained perfection in the art of wrestling. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a skillful rider. He could successfully manage even the wildest of horses he would literally jump on the back of the horse, and sit with such ease and steadiness that he appeared to be a part and parcel of the horse he rode.
He was very intelligent and shrewd. He was a good public speaker. He was gifted with an uncommon degree of tact and judgment, and on several occasions he successfully undertook ambassadorial missions on behalf of the Quraish.
By all accounts he was self-respecting, broad-minded and sincere. He was a man of strong convictions, a good friend, and a bad enemy. Like the rugged hills around him, he was harsh and stern, violent in temper, but very good of heart. He was always prepared to stand up against the oppressor and espouse the cause of the weak.He followed the profession of a trader. He undertook journeys to Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere for the purposes of trade. He was a successful trader, and he made good money as a result of these commercial journeys. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) migrated from Mecca, according to his own account, he was one of the richest Quraish merchants.
Before his conversion to Islam, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had three wives. His first wife was Qariba bint Abi Umayya al-Makhzumi. She belonged to the same clan as the mother of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). She was one of the most beautiful women of Mecca of the day. His second wife was Zainab bint Maziun. She was the sister of Usman bint Maz'un an early companion for whom the Holy Prophet had great regard. She was the mother of Abdullah and Hafsa. His third wife was Malaika bint Jarul al-Khuzai. She was also called Umm Kulsum.
In 610 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) started delivering the message of Islam. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), alongside others in Mecca, opposed Islam and threatened to kill Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He resolved to defend the traditional, polytheistic religion of Arabia. He was most adamant and cruel in opposing Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and very prominent in persecuting the Muslims. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first man who resolved that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had to be murdered in order to finish Islam. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) firmly believed in the unity of the Quraish and saw the new faith of Islam as a cause of division and discord among the Quraish.
Due to the persecution at the hands of the Quraish, Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) ordered his followers to migrate to Abyssinia. As a small group of Muslims migrated Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) felt worried about the future unity of the Quraish and decided to have Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) assassinated.
Lubna, a maid servant of Umar, accepted Islam. When Umar came to know of her conversion, he beat her violently and asked her to retract. She said that he might kill her, but she would not leave Islam. Thereafter it became the wont of Umar that he would beat her every day and would stop beating till he himself felt exhausted. In spite of that, the slave girl remained steadfast.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) father was an authority in tracing genealogies. Under the guidance of his father, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also acquired matchless skill in the matter of the study of pedigrees. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) knew intimately as to who was who among the Quraish. He was also well versed in the knowledge of the history of Arabia. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was blessed with a strong physique. He could undergo great rigours. He could travel on foot for miles. He was an athlete and a wrestler. He participated in the wrestling matches on the occasion of the annual fair at Ukaz, and he won in most of such matches. From the accounts that have come down to us it appears that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had attained perfection in the art of wrestling. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a skillful rider. He could successfully manage even the wildest of horses he would literally jump on the back of the horse, and sit with such ease and steadiness that he appeared to be a part and parcel of the horse he rode.
He was very intelligent and shrewd. He was a good public speaker. He was gifted with an uncommon degree of tact and judgment, and on several occasions he successfully undertook ambassadorial missions on behalf of the Quraish.
By all accounts he was self-respecting, broad-minded and sincere. He was a man of strong convictions, a good friend, and a bad enemy. Like the rugged hills around him, he was harsh and stern, violent in temper, but very good of heart. He was always prepared to stand up against the oppressor and espouse the cause of the weak.He followed the profession of a trader. He undertook journeys to Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere for the purposes of trade. He was a successful trader, and he made good money as a result of these commercial journeys. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) migrated from Mecca, according to his own account, he was one of the richest Quraish merchants.
Before his conversion to Islam, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had three wives. His first wife was Qariba bint Abi Umayya al-Makhzumi. She belonged to the same clan as the mother of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). She was one of the most beautiful women of Mecca of the day. His second wife was Zainab bint Maziun. She was the sister of Usman bint Maz'un an early companion for whom the Holy Prophet had great regard. She was the mother of Abdullah and Hafsa. His third wife was Malaika bint Jarul al-Khuzai. She was also called Umm Kulsum.
In 610 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) started delivering the message of Islam. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), alongside others in Mecca, opposed Islam and threatened to kill Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He resolved to defend the traditional, polytheistic religion of Arabia. He was most adamant and cruel in opposing Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and very prominent in persecuting the Muslims. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first man who resolved that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had to be murdered in order to finish Islam. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) firmly believed in the unity of the Quraish and saw the new faith of Islam as a cause of division and discord among the Quraish.
Due to the persecution at the hands of the Quraish, Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) ordered his followers to migrate to Abyssinia. As a small group of Muslims migrated Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) felt worried about the future unity of the Quraish and decided to have Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) assassinated.
Lubna, a maid servant of Umar, accepted Islam. When Umar came to know of her conversion, he beat her violently and asked her to retract. She said that he might kill her, but she would not leave Islam. Thereafter it became the wont of Umar that he would beat her every day and would stop beating till he himself felt exhausted. In spite of that, the slave girl remained steadfast.
Umm Abdullah bint Khatamah, a lady related to Umar, also accepted Islam. Umar was very furious at her conversion. As she along with her husband Amar bin Rabiah and other early converts decided to migrate to Abyssinia, Umar felt moved. He visited her and said, "Umm Abdullah are you going?" She said, By God, you have made our living in Mecca very difficult. There is no option with us but to migrate elsewhere." Inadvertently Umar said, 'Umm Abdullah, may God protect you; go in peace." At that time Umm Abdullah felt that in spite of Umar's opposition to Islam, he would one day accept the new faith.
We have it on the authority of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) himself that one day he came across the Holy Prophet in the Ka'bah. The Holy Prophet was reciting verses from the Holy Quran and as Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) listened to these verses he felt that it was the work of some poet. Then the Holy Prophet recited, "This is the revealed word of God; it's not the work of any poet. Yet you people do not believe". Thereupon Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) felt that if this was not the work of any poet it would be the work of a soothsayer. Thereupon the Holy Prophet recited the verses, "And this is not the word of any soothsayer; it is divine word communicated through Gabriel." Hearing these verses Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stood transfixed for some time. In his heart of hearts he thought that perhaps truth lay with Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), however, dismissed these feelings and soon he was his former self very hostile to Islam. He went to the Quraish and participated in their counsels. They felt concerned that the venom of the new faith was spreading and the only remedy was that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) should be killed. All present at the meeting agreed that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) should be killed. Then the meeting invited volunteers who would kill the Prophet. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) volunteered to kill the Prophet, and vindicate the faith of their forefathers.
One hot sultry day in the year A.D. 616, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) buckled his sword and set out to kill the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In the way, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Nuaim bin Abduilah. He was a friend of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). He had been converted to Islam, but Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not know of that.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), however, dismissed these feelings and soon he was his former self very hostile to Islam. He went to the Quraish and participated in their counsels. They felt concerned that the venom of the new faith was spreading and the only remedy was that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) should be killed. All present at the meeting agreed that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) should be killed. Then the meeting invited volunteers who would kill the Prophet. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) volunteered to kill the Prophet, and vindicate the faith of their forefathers.
One hot sultry day in the year A.D. 616, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) buckled his sword and set out to kill the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). In the way, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) met Nuaim bin Abduilah. He was a friend of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). He had been converted to Islam, but Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not know of that.
"Noticing the dark frowns on his face, Nuaim asked Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) what he was up to. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said that he was going to slay Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and thus vindicate the gods of Ka'bah. Nuaim said! "Beware if you harm Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) you will not be safe from the fury of Banu Hashim. Desist from such a course in your own interest". Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) ejaculated angrily: "It appears you have also become a Muslim." Nuaim said, "Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), do not bother about me, but take care of your sister and brother-in-law who have been converted to Islam, and who may be reading the Quran at this very moment."
That made Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) pause. Instead of going to the Holy Prophet, he went to the house of his sister. His sister was Fatima and her husband was Saeed bin Zaid. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) loved his sister. He had never thought that his brother-in-law or his sister would have the audacity to accept Islam. This was news to him. He could not believe it, but he thought it advisable to verify the facts.
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stepped into the house of his sister, he found that both Fatima and her husband were reading the Quran from a leaf. Seeing Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), his sister hide the leaf. Fatima rose to welcome her brother with a smile. But there was a dark frown on the face of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). "What were you reading", he thundered. "Nothing", replied Fatima.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) caught his brother-in-law by the throat and said, "So you have apostasised from the faith of your forefathers". Saeed retorted, "Rather we have abandoned falsehood for truth." Thereupon Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was about to strike Saeed when Fatima intervened saying, "Hands off from my husband. If you have anything to say, say it to me, but do not touch my husband." Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked, "Is it a fact that you have become Muslims." She replied, "Yes! we have become Muslims. You may kill us if you like, but we will not waver in our faith".
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed his hands and desired that the leaf from which they had been reading should be shown to him. Fatima said that he could not touch the sacred leaf until he had washed his hands. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) washed his hands, and the sacred leaf was handed over to him. It was the Sura Ta Ha. He read Sura Taha from Ayat 1-8.
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) read the verses over and over again, he felt as if these verses were addressed to him in person, and the mysterious Ta Ha referred to Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) the Man. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) shuddered with the fear of God, and he felt as if his conscience was upbraiding him, "Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), how long would you stay away from the path of truth. Has not the time come for you to follow the truth?"
And then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) resolved that he would lose no time in following the truth. Turning to his sister and brother-in-law he said, "I came to you as an enemy of Islam; I go from you as a friend of Islam. I had buckled this sword to slay the Prophet of Islam; I now go to him to offer him allegiance."
Fatima and Saeed cried "Allah o-Akbar".
From the house of his sister, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) proceeded to the house of Arqam at the foot of the Safa hill, where the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was lodged.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) knocked at the door of the house of Arqam.
"Who comes", enquired the guard.
"Umar bin al-Khattab". said Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) .
As the guard peeped through the door he saw that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had buckled his sword. The guard therefore hesitated to open the door.
Hamza said to the guard, "Open the door; if he comes in peace he will be welcome. If he is bent on mischief, we are enough to overpower him".
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was admitted. Hamza caught him by the hem of his cloak and said, "Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), what brings you here?" The Muslims with drawn swords surrounded Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), so that he could be overpowered if he showed any signs of violence.
Hearing the noise, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) came out of his cell. Addressing Hamza the Holy Prophet said, "Leave him Let him come forward".
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stepped forward the Holy Prophet said Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), how long will you stray from the path of Islam. Has the time not come for you to see the truth?"
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said, "Verily the time has come for me to see the truth. I have come to profess my faith in Islam".
The Holy Prophet stretched his hand. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) held the hand with reverence and said, "I declare that there is no god but ALLAH, and that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the Messenger of God".
In joy the Muslims shouted "Allah-o-Akbar". The Holy Prophet embraced Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). The other Muslims embraced Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) one by one. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the fourteenth person to become a Muslim. He accepted Islam in the sixth year of prophecy when he was twenty-seven years old, says adh-Dhahabi.
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stepped into the house of his sister, he found that both Fatima and her husband were reading the Quran from a leaf. Seeing Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), his sister hide the leaf. Fatima rose to welcome her brother with a smile. But there was a dark frown on the face of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). "What were you reading", he thundered. "Nothing", replied Fatima.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) caught his brother-in-law by the throat and said, "So you have apostasised from the faith of your forefathers". Saeed retorted, "Rather we have abandoned falsehood for truth." Thereupon Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was about to strike Saeed when Fatima intervened saying, "Hands off from my husband. If you have anything to say, say it to me, but do not touch my husband." Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked, "Is it a fact that you have become Muslims." She replied, "Yes! we have become Muslims. You may kill us if you like, but we will not waver in our faith".
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stayed his hands and desired that the leaf from which they had been reading should be shown to him. Fatima said that he could not touch the sacred leaf until he had washed his hands. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) washed his hands, and the sacred leaf was handed over to him. It was the Sura Ta Ha. He read Sura Taha from Ayat 1-8.
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) read the verses over and over again, he felt as if these verses were addressed to him in person, and the mysterious Ta Ha referred to Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) the Man. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) shuddered with the fear of God, and he felt as if his conscience was upbraiding him, "Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), how long would you stay away from the path of truth. Has not the time come for you to follow the truth?"
And then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) resolved that he would lose no time in following the truth. Turning to his sister and brother-in-law he said, "I came to you as an enemy of Islam; I go from you as a friend of Islam. I had buckled this sword to slay the Prophet of Islam; I now go to him to offer him allegiance."
Fatima and Saeed cried "Allah o-Akbar".
From the house of his sister, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) proceeded to the house of Arqam at the foot of the Safa hill, where the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was lodged.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) knocked at the door of the house of Arqam.
"Who comes", enquired the guard.
"Umar bin al-Khattab". said Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) .
As the guard peeped through the door he saw that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had buckled his sword. The guard therefore hesitated to open the door.
Hamza said to the guard, "Open the door; if he comes in peace he will be welcome. If he is bent on mischief, we are enough to overpower him".
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was admitted. Hamza caught him by the hem of his cloak and said, "Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), what brings you here?" The Muslims with drawn swords surrounded Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), so that he could be overpowered if he showed any signs of violence.
Hearing the noise, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) came out of his cell. Addressing Hamza the Holy Prophet said, "Leave him Let him come forward".
As Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) stepped forward the Holy Prophet said Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), how long will you stray from the path of Islam. Has the time not come for you to see the truth?"
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said, "Verily the time has come for me to see the truth. I have come to profess my faith in Islam".
The Holy Prophet stretched his hand. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) held the hand with reverence and said, "I declare that there is no god but ALLAH, and that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the Messenger of God".
In joy the Muslims shouted "Allah-o-Akbar". The Holy Prophet embraced Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). The other Muslims embraced Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) one by one. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the fourteenth person to become a Muslim. He accepted Islam in the sixth year of prophecy when he was twenty-seven years old, says adh-Dhahabi.
One Account says that, On that day even Gabriel congratulated the Holy Prophet on the conversion of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). Gabriel said: "O Prophet of God, the dwellers in Heaven rejoice at the conversion of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) and offer you their congratulations".
Intoxicated with the joy of having become a Muslim, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) proceeded to various parts of Mecca to announce that he had become a Muslim. He first went to the house of his maternal uncle Abu Jahl. He knocked at the door of the house of Abu Jahl.
But "If what you say is true then be damned". Saying this Abu Jahl shut the door in the face of Umar.
Thereafter Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to see some other Quraish chiefs. He told them of his conversion to Islam. Like Abu Jahl they damned him and shut the doors of their houses against him.
Then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) proceeded to the Ka'bah. There he saw Jamil bin Ma'mar al-Jamahi who enjoyed reputation for spreading reports in Mecca. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) told him that he had accepted Islam. Jamil rose from his feet, and cried at the top of his voice:
"O ye Quraish, know that Umar bin Al-Khattab has been converted to Islam, and apostatised from the faith of his forefathers. "
On hearing this some Quraish youth gathered at the Ka'bah. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said,
"What Jamil said is not correct. I have not apostatised: I have seen the truth and accepted Islam". Thereupon the Quraish youth rushed at Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) with a view to beating him. A Shaikh dressed in Yemeni robes Al-Aas bin Wail passed that way, and enquired what was the matter. The Quraish said that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had apostatised, and they wanted to punish him for straying from the faith of his forefathers. The Shaikh said,
"A man should be free to choose whatever religion he likes. Why beat him for that?" Abu Jahl also happened to come that way. Seeing the Quraish, he said,
"I offer protection to my nephew". Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said,
"Uncle, I do not need your protection. For me the protection of God and the Holy Prophet is enough".
Then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to the Holy Prophet and told him that he had publicly announced his conversion. Heretofore those who were converted to Islam kept their conversion to Islam secret for fear of the oppression of the Quraish. They also prayed in secret. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) submitted to the Holy Prophet
But "If what you say is true then be damned". Saying this Abu Jahl shut the door in the face of Umar.
Thereafter Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to see some other Quraish chiefs. He told them of his conversion to Islam. Like Abu Jahl they damned him and shut the doors of their houses against him.
Then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) proceeded to the Ka'bah. There he saw Jamil bin Ma'mar al-Jamahi who enjoyed reputation for spreading reports in Mecca. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) told him that he had accepted Islam. Jamil rose from his feet, and cried at the top of his voice:
"O ye Quraish, know that Umar bin Al-Khattab has been converted to Islam, and apostatised from the faith of his forefathers. "
On hearing this some Quraish youth gathered at the Ka'bah. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said,
"What Jamil said is not correct. I have not apostatised: I have seen the truth and accepted Islam". Thereupon the Quraish youth rushed at Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) with a view to beating him. A Shaikh dressed in Yemeni robes Al-Aas bin Wail passed that way, and enquired what was the matter. The Quraish said that Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had apostatised, and they wanted to punish him for straying from the faith of his forefathers. The Shaikh said,
"A man should be free to choose whatever religion he likes. Why beat him for that?" Abu Jahl also happened to come that way. Seeing the Quraish, he said,
"I offer protection to my nephew". Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said,
"Uncle, I do not need your protection. For me the protection of God and the Holy Prophet is enough".
Then Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) went to the Holy Prophet and told him that he had publicly announced his conversion. Heretofore those who were converted to Islam kept their conversion to Islam secret for fear of the oppression of the Quraish. They also prayed in secret. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) submitted to the Holy Prophet
"O Messenger of God are we not in the truth?".
The Holy Prophet said,
"Why not, we are verily in the truth".
"Then why should we not pray in the public? Has not the time come for us to declare our faith publicly?" said Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) . Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) tried to prevail on the Holy Prophet that the truth of Islam should become manifest. The Holy Prophet agreed with Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him).
The following day all the Muslims emerged from the house of Arqam and proceeded to the Holy Ka'bah, in two lines, one led by Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), and the other by Hamza (ALLAH Bless With Him). At the Ka'bah the Muslims prayed openly. The Quraish watched the Muslims pray and said, "Verily by the conversion of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) to Islam, the Muslims have taken the revenge from the Quraish".
After the Muslims had prayed in the Ka'bah, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) conferred on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) the title of "Al-Faruq," for on that day through the efforts of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), the truth of Islam had become manifest.
After the Muslims had prayed in the Ka'bah, the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) conferred on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) the title of "Al-Faruq," for on that day through the efforts of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), the truth of Islam had become manifest.
Migration From Mecca & Life In Medina
In A.D. 622, the Holy Prophet decided that the Muslims should migrate from Mecca to Madina. The Muslims were required to proceed to Madina in batches.
Abu Salmah Abdullah Bin Ashhal was the first Muslim to migrate from Mecca to Madina. He was followed by Bilal and Ammar Yasir. Thereafter Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) migrated from Mecca. While most of the other Muslims left Mecca in secret, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) publicly declared that he was proceeding to Madina. He even challenged the Quraish that if any one of them had the courage to stop him from going to Madina, he was welcome to try his strength with him. No Quraish of Mecca could have the courage to prevent the migration of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), and no one accepted the challenge to measure strength with him.
Medina became the new center of Islam and the religion spread rapidly across Arabia. When Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) arrived in Medina, he paired off each immigrant (Muhajir) with one of the residents of the city (Ansari), joining Mohammad ibn Maslamah with Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) making them brothers in faith.
In Mecca Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a trader. He had brought ample amount with him from Mecca. In Madina he started business afresh. He had his store at Quba and from there goods were supplied to the market at Madina. No details about the business of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) are available. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a shrewd businessman, and we have reasons to hold that his business flourished at Madina as it did at Mecca. After attending to business, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) spent his spare time in the company of the Holy Prophet.
Muslims remained in peace in Medina for approximately a year before the Quraish raised an army to attack them.
In 624 Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) participated in the first Battle between Muslims and Quraish of Mecca (Battle of Badr). In 625 he took part in the Battle of Uhud. In the second phase of the Battle, when Khalid Ibn Walid's Cavalry attacked Muslims at the rear changing the victory of Muslims to defeat, rumors of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) death were spread and many Muslim warriors were routed from the battle field, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) too was initially routed but hearing that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was still alive he went to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) at the mountain of Uhud and prepared for the defenses of the hill to keep the army of Quraish from approaching the hilltop. Later in the year Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a part of campaign against the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir. In 625 Umar’s daughter Hafsah was married to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Later in 627 he participated in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Battle of Banu Qurayza. In 628 Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact. In 628 he was a part of Muslims' campaign to Khaybar. In 629 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) sent Amr ibn al-A’as to Zaat-ul-Sallasal from where he called for reinforcement and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) sent Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah with reinforcement, serving under him were Abu Bakr and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), they attacked and defeated the enemy. In 630 when Muslim armies rushed for the Conquest of Mecca he was part of that army. Later in 630 he was part of Battle of Hunayn and Siege of Ta'if. He was part of Muslim's army that went for the campaign of Tabuk under Mohammad's command and he was reported to have given half of his wealth for the preparation of this expedition. He also participated in the farewell Hajj of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in 631.
Abu Salmah Abdullah Bin Ashhal was the first Muslim to migrate from Mecca to Madina. He was followed by Bilal and Ammar Yasir. Thereafter Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) migrated from Mecca. While most of the other Muslims left Mecca in secret, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) publicly declared that he was proceeding to Madina. He even challenged the Quraish that if any one of them had the courage to stop him from going to Madina, he was welcome to try his strength with him. No Quraish of Mecca could have the courage to prevent the migration of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), and no one accepted the challenge to measure strength with him.
Medina became the new center of Islam and the religion spread rapidly across Arabia. When Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) arrived in Medina, he paired off each immigrant (Muhajir) with one of the residents of the city (Ansari), joining Mohammad ibn Maslamah with Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) making them brothers in faith.
In Mecca Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a trader. He had brought ample amount with him from Mecca. In Madina he started business afresh. He had his store at Quba and from there goods were supplied to the market at Madina. No details about the business of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) are available. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a shrewd businessman, and we have reasons to hold that his business flourished at Madina as it did at Mecca. After attending to business, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) spent his spare time in the company of the Holy Prophet.
Muslims remained in peace in Medina for approximately a year before the Quraish raised an army to attack them.
In 624 Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) participated in the first Battle between Muslims and Quraish of Mecca (Battle of Badr). In 625 he took part in the Battle of Uhud. In the second phase of the Battle, when Khalid Ibn Walid's Cavalry attacked Muslims at the rear changing the victory of Muslims to defeat, rumors of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) death were spread and many Muslim warriors were routed from the battle field, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) too was initially routed but hearing that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was still alive he went to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) at the mountain of Uhud and prepared for the defenses of the hill to keep the army of Quraish from approaching the hilltop. Later in the year Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a part of campaign against the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir. In 625 Umar’s daughter Hafsah was married to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Later in 627 he participated in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Battle of Banu Qurayza. In 628 Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of the witnesses over the pact. In 628 he was a part of Muslims' campaign to Khaybar. In 629 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) sent Amr ibn al-A’as to Zaat-ul-Sallasal from where he called for reinforcement and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) sent Abu Ubaidah ibn Al-Jarrah with reinforcement, serving under him were Abu Bakr and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), they attacked and defeated the enemy. In 630 when Muslim armies rushed for the Conquest of Mecca he was part of that army. Later in 630 he was part of Battle of Hunayn and Siege of Ta'if. He was part of Muslim's army that went for the campaign of Tabuk under Mohammad's command and he was reported to have given half of his wealth for the preparation of this expedition. He also participated in the farewell Hajj of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in 631.
Life After Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) Death & In Abu Bakr's Reign
Islamic Empire during the reign of Caliph Abu Bakr
Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) died on 8 June 632. Umar was full of grief upon hearing the news. Umar, the devoted disciple, could not accept the reality that the "Messenger of God" was dead. It is said that Umar promised to strike the head of any man who would say that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) died. At this point Abu Bakr is reported to have come out to the Muslim community and gave his famous speech which included:
"Whoever worshipped Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), let them know that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has died, and whoever worshipped ALLAH, let them know that ALLAH is alive and never dies."
Abu Bakr then recited these verses from the Qur'an:
"Mohammad is but a messenger; messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. If, then, he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heel?".
Hearing this from Abu Bakr, the most senior disciple of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Umar then fell down on his knees in a great sense of sorrow and acceptance of the reality. The denial of Mohammad's death was occasioned by his deep love for him.
After Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) death, Abu Bakr became the first Muslim Caliph. As Caliph, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) succeeded to the political and administrative functions previously exercised by Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with Mohammad's death.
During Abu Bakr's short reign as caliph, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) served as a chief secretary and advisor to him; and during the Ridda Wars, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) along with Khalid Ibn Al-Walid) served the caliph as a military strategist and advisor. Due to the delicate political situation in Arabia, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) initially opposed military operations against the rebel tribes in Arabia, hoping to gain their support in the event of an invasion by the Romans or the Persians. Later, however, he came to agree with Abu Bakr's strategy to crush the rebellion by force. By late 632 CE, Khalid Ibn Walid had successfully united Arabia after consecutive victories against the rebels. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) advised Abu Bakr to compile the Quran in the form of a book, after 300 Hafizs (memorizers) of the Quran died in the Battle of Yamamah.
The Holy Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in parts from time to time spread over a period of 23 years. Whenever the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received the revelation. he would dictate it to one of his Katibs who would record it on some piece of leather, date skin, or even bones and stones.
The principal scribe of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was Zaid Bin Thabit. Many companions committed the entire Quran to memory and these 'Huffdz' could recite the entire Quran any time. The Holy Prophet kept all the pieces of leather, date skins another materials on which the verses of the Holy Quran had been written in his custody.
During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, revelation was a continuous process, and there was no occasion for giving them the form of a book. After the death of the Holy Prophet, the process of revelation came to close, and now the need of some sort of compilation to preserve the Word of God was felt.
In the battle of Yamama, most of the Companions who had learnt the Holy Quran by heart were martyred. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first to feel that if those who had committed the Holy Quran to memory were dead, there was the danger that there would be none left who could be relied upon as the repository of the Quran. There was also the danger that with the lapse of time there might be some interpolations in the text inadvertently or even deliberately.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) suggested to the Caliph Abu Bakr that the Holy Quran should be suitably compiled under the authority of the State Abu Bakr was reluctant to undertake the project. His plea was that as the Holy Prophet had not felt the necessity for such a compilation, it did not behove him as the successor to the Prophet to take any initiative in the matter.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), however, continued to press his point. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) argued that during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet the process of revelation was continuous, and as the Holy Prophet himself was the repository of all revelations, there was no occasion for such a compilation. After the death of the Holy Prophet, the position had changed, and unless the Holy Quran was compiled, there was the danger that the Quran might be lost. In the absence ot an authentic text, there was also the danger that some unscrupulous persons might add to or vary the text to suit their interests. The argument appealed to Abu Bakr, and whe n other prominent Muslims were consulted, they also endorsed the views of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). Abu Bakr accordingly undertook the project for the compilation of the Holy Quran.
Zaid Bin Thabit was commissioned by Abu Bakr to collect all the verses of the Holy Quran and compile them in a book form.
Zaid's immediate reaction to the proposal was that if he had been asked to remove a mountain from its original site, and place it elsewhere, he would have considered such a task easier than the task of collecting the Holy Quran. Abu Bakr and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) appreciated the gravity of the problem, but observed that as the Word of God had to be preserved for the guidance of the coming generations, the task had to be undertaken whatever the odds. Zaid thereupon set to the task of collecting the verses.
A proclamation was made that whosoever had learnt any portion of the Quran from the Holy Prophet should produce such portion. Two witnesses had to be produced in each case to establish the genuineness of the verse. When all the verses had been collected a Committee was set up of which Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a member. This Committee supervised the compilation of the Holy Quran. Sad Bin Al-As dictated, and Zaid bin Thabit wrote the Holy Quran. These was checked by the members of the Committee including Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him).
When the work was completed it was further checked by Abu Bakr, and the finally approved copy was kept by Abu Bakr in his personal custody. The sacred compilation was given the name of 'Mashaf'.
On Monday 23 August 634 (21 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13th A.H.) between Maghrib and Isha at the age of sixty-one Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) died. The funeral prayer was led by Umar. His caliphate had been of a mere twenty-seven months duration.
"Whoever worshipped Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), let them know that Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has died, and whoever worshipped ALLAH, let them know that ALLAH is alive and never dies."
Abu Bakr then recited these verses from the Qur'an:
"Mohammad is but a messenger; messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. If, then, he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heel?".
Hearing this from Abu Bakr, the most senior disciple of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Umar then fell down on his knees in a great sense of sorrow and acceptance of the reality. The denial of Mohammad's death was occasioned by his deep love for him.
After Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) death, Abu Bakr became the first Muslim Caliph. As Caliph, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) succeeded to the political and administrative functions previously exercised by Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with Mohammad's death.
During Abu Bakr's short reign as caliph, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) served as a chief secretary and advisor to him; and during the Ridda Wars, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) along with Khalid Ibn Al-Walid) served the caliph as a military strategist and advisor. Due to the delicate political situation in Arabia, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) initially opposed military operations against the rebel tribes in Arabia, hoping to gain their support in the event of an invasion by the Romans or the Persians. Later, however, he came to agree with Abu Bakr's strategy to crush the rebellion by force. By late 632 CE, Khalid Ibn Walid had successfully united Arabia after consecutive victories against the rebels. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) advised Abu Bakr to compile the Quran in the form of a book, after 300 Hafizs (memorizers) of the Quran died in the Battle of Yamamah.
The Holy Quran was revealed to the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in parts from time to time spread over a period of 23 years. Whenever the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) received the revelation. he would dictate it to one of his Katibs who would record it on some piece of leather, date skin, or even bones and stones.
The principal scribe of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was Zaid Bin Thabit. Many companions committed the entire Quran to memory and these 'Huffdz' could recite the entire Quran any time. The Holy Prophet kept all the pieces of leather, date skins another materials on which the verses of the Holy Quran had been written in his custody.
During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet, revelation was a continuous process, and there was no occasion for giving them the form of a book. After the death of the Holy Prophet, the process of revelation came to close, and now the need of some sort of compilation to preserve the Word of God was felt.
In the battle of Yamama, most of the Companions who had learnt the Holy Quran by heart were martyred. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first to feel that if those who had committed the Holy Quran to memory were dead, there was the danger that there would be none left who could be relied upon as the repository of the Quran. There was also the danger that with the lapse of time there might be some interpolations in the text inadvertently or even deliberately.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) suggested to the Caliph Abu Bakr that the Holy Quran should be suitably compiled under the authority of the State Abu Bakr was reluctant to undertake the project. His plea was that as the Holy Prophet had not felt the necessity for such a compilation, it did not behove him as the successor to the Prophet to take any initiative in the matter.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), however, continued to press his point. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) argued that during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet the process of revelation was continuous, and as the Holy Prophet himself was the repository of all revelations, there was no occasion for such a compilation. After the death of the Holy Prophet, the position had changed, and unless the Holy Quran was compiled, there was the danger that the Quran might be lost. In the absence ot an authentic text, there was also the danger that some unscrupulous persons might add to or vary the text to suit their interests. The argument appealed to Abu Bakr, and whe n other prominent Muslims were consulted, they also endorsed the views of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). Abu Bakr accordingly undertook the project for the compilation of the Holy Quran.
Zaid Bin Thabit was commissioned by Abu Bakr to collect all the verses of the Holy Quran and compile them in a book form.
Zaid's immediate reaction to the proposal was that if he had been asked to remove a mountain from its original site, and place it elsewhere, he would have considered such a task easier than the task of collecting the Holy Quran. Abu Bakr and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) appreciated the gravity of the problem, but observed that as the Word of God had to be preserved for the guidance of the coming generations, the task had to be undertaken whatever the odds. Zaid thereupon set to the task of collecting the verses.
A proclamation was made that whosoever had learnt any portion of the Quran from the Holy Prophet should produce such portion. Two witnesses had to be produced in each case to establish the genuineness of the verse. When all the verses had been collected a Committee was set up of which Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was a member. This Committee supervised the compilation of the Holy Quran. Sad Bin Al-As dictated, and Zaid bin Thabit wrote the Holy Quran. These was checked by the members of the Committee including Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him).
When the work was completed it was further checked by Abu Bakr, and the finally approved copy was kept by Abu Bakr in his personal custody. The sacred compilation was given the name of 'Mashaf'.
On Monday 23 August 634 (21 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13th A.H.) between Maghrib and Isha at the age of sixty-one Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) died. The funeral prayer was led by Umar. His caliphate had been of a mere twenty-seven months duration.
Umar As Caliph
Umar became Caliph on 23 August 634 CE (21 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13th AH). After the assumption of office as the Caliph, Umar addressed the Muslims who had assembled in the Prophet's mosque. In the course of the address, Umar said
"O ye faithful! Abu Bakr is no more amongst us. After having led us for about two years, he has returned to His Maker. He has the satisfaction that he has successfully piloted the ship of the Muslim state to safety after negotiating the stormy sea. He successfully waged the apostasy wars, and thanks to him, Islam is now supreme in Arabia. Islam is now on the move and we are carrying Jihad in the name of ALLAH against the mighty empires of Byzantine and Persia.
After Abu Bakr, the mantle of Khilafat has fallen on my shoulders. I swear it before God that I never coveted this office. I wished that it would have devolved on some other person more worthy than me. But now that in national interest, the responsibility for leading the Muslims has come to vest in me, I assure you that I will not run away from my post, and will make an earnest effort to discharge the onerous duties of the office to the best of my capacity in accordance with the injunctions of Islam.
In the performance of my duties, I will seek guidance from the Holy Book, and will follow the examples set by the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr. In this task I seek your assistance. If I follow the right path, follow me. If I deviate from the right path, correct me so that we are not led astray.
Now brothers I offer a few prayers and you say Amen to them.
O ALLAH I am hard, make me soft to promote the Truth, to comply with your injunctions and to aspire to a better life in the world hereafter.
O ALLAH make me hard for the enemies of Islam and for those who create mischief so that their desigus against ALLAH come to naught.
O ALLAH I am miser; make me generous in the promotion of the good.
O ALLAH save me from hypocrisy. Strengthen my resolves so that whatever I do, I do for the sake of winning Your approbation.
O ALLAH soften my heart for the faithful so that I attend to their needs with a sense of dedication.
O ALLAH, I am careless, make me responsible enough so that I do not lose sight of You.
O ALLAH I am weak in offering my obedience to You; make me active and fortify my faith.
O ALLAH bestow on me faith, and the power to do good.
O ALLAH give me the power of self-criticism and self assessment.
O ALLAH bestow on me the insight into the meaning of the Quran and the strength to act in accordance with what the Quran says.
O ALLAH You are capable of doing anything: bless us with Your favour. Amen."
When the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) died, and Abu Bakr succeeded him he was called "Khalifa-tul-Rasul", i e. the representative of the Prophet.
When Abu Bakr died and Umar succeeded him he called himself 'Khalifa', but the question arose whose Khalifa or representative he was. It was pointed out that strictly speaking he was not the Khalifa of the Rasul. He was the Khalifa of the Khalifatul Rasul. |
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) felt that this was a cumbersome title, for in that case, those who followed him would have to be designated by an endless chain of Khalifas.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accordingly felt that the Head of the Muslim State should be known by a simpler title which should reflect the Islamic character of the State. Umar asked the people around him to ponder over the matter, and if they could think of some suitable title they should bring such title to his notice.
One day Labid bin Rabia and Adi bin Hatim came to Madina from Kufa. They alighted at the Prophet's mosque and there coming across Amr bin Al-As asked him to announce their arrival to the Amir-ul-Muminin.
Amr bin Al-As was struck by the novelty of the term 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. He asked Labid and Adi as to how they referred to Umar as 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. They said "We all Muslims are Momins and Umar is our Commander. He is thus Amir-ul-Muminin".
Amr bin Al-As said "Wonderful You have hit upon a beautiful term. God bless You".
Amr bin Al-As hastened to Umar end there said "Amir-ul-Muminin, two persons have come from Kufa, and they seek permission to see you".
Umar became curious at being addressed "Amirul-Muminin". He asked Amr bin Al-Aas as to how he had coined the term 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. Amr bin Al-Aas said that the visitors from Kufa had used that term, and as he was attracted by the term he had used it.
Umar said "We were in search of some suitable term to signify the office I hold, and here is a term which is attractive". He asked Amr bin Al-Aas as to what he thought of the title.
Amr bin Al-Aas said "I am attracted by the term. It is God sent. We all are Muslims and you are our Amir. The term is very attractive and significant."
After Umar had seen the visitors from Kufa, he convened a meeting of his consultative assembly, and there the question was discussed whether he should adopt the title of 'Amir-ul-Muminin' for the office that he held. The Assembly approved the title.
Before becoming the Caliph Umar lived by trade. After assuming the Caliph he could no longer carry on charge as his business. He accordingly agreed to accept a daily allowance from the Baitul Mal. Different amounts of daily allowance were suggested by different people. Umar sought the advice of Ali as to the amount of the allowance he should accept. Ali suggested that he should take as much amount as might moderately suffice for an average Arab, neither too much, nor too little. Umar accepted this suggestion and a modest amount of allowance was settled for him. The exact amount of the allowance thus settled is, however, not reported in any history.
Later on some companions including Ali, Usman, Zubair, and Talhah thought of increasing the allowance of Umar as it was not sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of Umar. These companions could not have the courage to broach this subject to Umar direct. They accordingly approached Hafsa the daughter of Umar, and asked her to ascertain Umar's reaction to the proposal.
Thereupon Umar wanted Hafsa to tell what was the Holy Prophet's best dress in her house. She said that it was a pair of clothes of red colour which the Holy Prophet wore on Fridays or when receiving envoys.
Umar then asked what was the best of food that the Holy Prophet took. She said that the Holy Prophet's food was simple barley bread. Umar next asked as to what was the best bedding that the Holy Prophet ever used. She said that it was a piece of thick cloth. In summer it was spread in four layers and in winter in two, half he spread underneath, and with the other half he covered himself.
Thereupon Umar said:
"Hafsa, go and tell the people who have deputed you that the Holy Prophet has set a standard by his personal example. I must follow him. My case and that of thc Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr is like the case of three men travelling on the same road. The first man started with a provision and reached the goal. Thc second followed the first and joined him. Now the third is on his way. If he follows their way he will also join them, otherwise he can never reach them."
When Hafsah told of Umar's reaction to the proposal to the companions who had dcputed her they said: "May God bless Umar. He excels all of us in the matter of virtue."
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took steps to ensure that the teaching of the Holy Quran was spread extensively, and that a large number of persons learnt the text by heart so that there could be no possibility of any corruption in the text.
Under the orders of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), hundreds of schools were opened throughout the length and breadth of the islamic world for the teaching of the Holy Quran. Highly qualified teachers were appointed for the purpose, and they were given good salaries.
Such Companions who had learnt the Holy Quran by heart were sent to distant places to teach the Holy Quran. Muadh bin Jabal; Ibada bin Al-Samit; and Abu Darda were prominent companions who knew the Holy Quran by heart. They were sent to Syria where Ibada headed the school at Hims: Abu Darda at Damascus; and Muadh at Jerusalem. It is related that Abu Darda held his classes in the Jamia Masjid at Damascus and the enrolment in his class was 1600.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took pains in promoting and popularising the study of the Holy Quran. All the Muslims were required to learn at least five Suras by heart. Special stipends were granted for the learning of the Holy Quran. In his instructions to the Army, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) exhorted the men to read and memorise the Holy Quran.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was very particular about the use of correct vowels and the correct pronunciation of the words in the Holy Quran. In his instructions to the teachers of the Holy Quran, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said:
"Teach them the vowels of the Quran, as you teach its learning by heart."
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also instructed that along with the teaching of the Holy Quran, the study of the Arabic language and literature should be made compulsory so that the readers of the Holy Quran should themselves be able to distinguish between right and wrong vowels.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also laid down that no one who was not versed in Arabic lexicology should be permitted to teach the Holy Quran.
As the Islamic dominions extended progressively, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) ordered that mosques should be built in all conquered territories.
In the newly founded cities of Kufa and Basra, Jami Masjids were built in the centre of the city and smaller mosques were built in each tribal quarter.
It is widely believed that Umar stressed more on consolidating his power and political influence in the conquered land, rather than pursuing conquests. Nevertheless, under Umar the Islamic empire grew at an unprecedented rate. In 638, after the conquest of Syria, Umar dismissed Khalid, his most successful general, owing to his ever-growing fame and influence. He was quoted as doing this because he wanted the people to know that victory came from God, not the general. Later however Umar regretted this decision. The military conquest were partially terminated between 638–639 during the years of great famine and plague in Arabia and Levant respectively. During his reign Levant, Egypt, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, Fezzan, Eastern Anatolia, almost whole of Sassanid Persian Empire including Bactria, Persia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Caucasus and Makran were annexed to Islamic Empire. According to one estimate more than 4050 cities were captured during these military conquest. Prior to his death in 644, Umar had ceased all military expeditions apparently to consolidate his rule in Egypt and the newly conquered Sassanid Empire (642–644). At his death in November 644, his rule extended from present day Libya in the west to the Indus river in the east and the Oxus river in the north.
In the case of smaller towns in Iraq and Syria, a mosque was required to be constructed in each town. According to one account as many as 4000 mosques were constructed during the caliphate of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him).
During 638 A.D., Arabia suffered from serious draught. There were no rains, and as such there was no cultivation. That led to serious famine. There was not a blade of grass to be found anywhere, and as such there was nothing for the animals to graze upon. Because of serious famine conditions the people were involved in great distress. Black dust storms blow over the countryside and that added to the distress of the people. The people from the interior flocked to the cities. There was practically no grain in the market. Ghee, butter and meat disappeared from the markets. It became a serious problem to feed the people.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) rose to the occasion. He wrote to the provincial governors asking them to send food-grains to Arabia. Camel loads of foodgrains and other necessities of life came from Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. Foodgrains were received from Egypt through the sea as well.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) distributed foodgrains and other necessities among the people family wise. Meals were cooked at the State level and all persons from interior of the desert who took refuge in Madina were fed daily at state expense. According to one account as many as 40,000 persons were fed every day.
In view of the resources of his disposal, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) could afford to have dainty food but he vowed that as long as the famine lasted he would eat only what was available to an Arab of ordinary means. He refused to eat meat, ghee or butter during the period of famine. He ordered that his meal should be cooked with oil. He would eat only the coarsest of food. As a consequence of eating nutritionless food his colour took a blacker hue. His stomach would rumble, but he said: "O stomach you may rumble as much as you like, but as long as the famine persists I cannot allow you anything dainty". One day some ghee came to the market and his servant purchased the ghee for him. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) came to know of that he refused to have anything to do with such a luxury. A son of his cooked some meat one day and offered him the dish. He refused to eat it. So strict was Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) that during the period of famine he refused to go near his wives.
At night he would move about from street to street to see for himself that all had been fed. Whenever any case of hardship came to his notice he would rush relief immediately. He would in most cases carry the relief goods on his own back. After taking his rounds, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) would pray to God till late hours of the night. He would then wake up in the early hours of the morning, and again pray before going to the mosque to lead the morning prayer.
By early 639 conditions begun to improve. Arabia received precipitation and as soon as the famine ended, Umar personally supervised the rehabilitation of the displaced people. They were given adequate amounts of rations and were exempted from payment of zakat for that year and the next year.
While famine was ending in Arabia, many districts in Syria and Palestine were devastated by plague. While Umar was on his way to visit Syria, at Elat, he was received by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, governor of Syria, who informed him about plague and its intensity, and suggested Umar to go back to Madinah. Umar tried to persuade Abu Ubaidah to come with him to Madinah, but he denied to leave his troops in that critical situation. Abu Ubaidah died in 639 due to plague, which also cost the lives of 25,000 Muslims in Syria. After the plague had weakened in late 639, Umar visited Syria for political and administrative re-organization, as most of the veteran commanders and governors had died of plague.
The Hijri Calendar was started by Umar some time in 638 AD. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the sacred mosque at Kaaba extended. In 639 AD Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) purchased the surrounding houses at state expense. These were demolished, and the area under them was included in the mosque. Heretofore there was no wall round the mosque. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had a wall constructed for the first time. Heretoforc the mosques were not lit. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) provided lights for the mosques for the first time.
Formerly the cover of the Kaaba was of ordinary cloth. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the cover made of a superior and finer cloth manufactured in Egypt.
The bounds of the Haram, the sanctuary of the Kaaba extended to three miles in one direction, and seven to nine miles in other directions. The boundaries were not defined, and there was the risk of this area being encroached upon. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the area surveyed, and the boundaries were demarcated. Stone pillars called Ansab were fixed to mark the boundaries.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) extended the Prophet's Mosque at Madina as well. In 639 AD, the same year as the Kaaba was extended, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) purchased the houses that surrounded the Masjid i-Nabvi. After demolishing them, the area was utilised for the extension of the mosque.
Abbas whose house also surrounded the mosque refused to sell his house. He sued the state in the Court of the Qazi Ubayy bin Kab. The Court gave its verdict against the state, and held that the property could not be acquired compulsorily. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accepted the verdict of the Court. Thereupon Abbas voluntarily gifted his house for the extension of the mosque. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accepted the gift gratefully, and provided alternative accommodation to Abbas.
As a result of extension the length of the mosque rose from 100 to 140 yards while its width rose from 60 to 80 yards. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first to provide lights for Masjid-i-Nabvi. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also made arrangements for the burning of the incense in the mosque. The floor of the mosque was paved and covered with mats. When Islam appeared on the world stage, the world economy was based on slavery. Islam was the first religion to raise its voice against slavery. Among the early converts to Islam, many were slaves. Indeed one of the reasons for the hostility of the Quraish againt Islam was that they saw in Islam a hostile force to slavery on which the economy of Mecca was based.
When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) became the Caliph of Islam, he took particular measures to eliminate the evils of slavery as far as possible. He took a very bold step when he declared that no Arab could be a slave. Arabia was thus the first country in the world, which under the impact of Islam abolished slavery. During the apostasy wars many Arabs had been taken captive and made slaves. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) emancipated all such slaves.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) implemented this injunction and laid down that a slave could make an agreement with the master that he would pay so much within the specified period to secure his freedom.
In the matter of stipends allowed by the state, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) made no distinction between the master and the slave. The slaves were given the stipends on the same scale as their masters.
Umar is regarded as one of the greatest political geniuses in history. While under his leadership, the empire was expanding at an unprecedented rate, he also began to build the political structure that would hold together the vast empire that was being built. He undertook many administrative reforms and closely oversaw public policy. He established an advanced administration for the newly conquered lands, including several new ministries and bureaucracies, and ordered a census of all the Muslim territories. During his rule, the garrison cities (amsar) of Basra and Kufa were founded or expanded. In October 644 Umar went for Hajj in Mecca
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accordingly felt that the Head of the Muslim State should be known by a simpler title which should reflect the Islamic character of the State. Umar asked the people around him to ponder over the matter, and if they could think of some suitable title they should bring such title to his notice.
One day Labid bin Rabia and Adi bin Hatim came to Madina from Kufa. They alighted at the Prophet's mosque and there coming across Amr bin Al-As asked him to announce their arrival to the Amir-ul-Muminin.
Amr bin Al-As was struck by the novelty of the term 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. He asked Labid and Adi as to how they referred to Umar as 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. They said "We all Muslims are Momins and Umar is our Commander. He is thus Amir-ul-Muminin".
Amr bin Al-As said "Wonderful You have hit upon a beautiful term. God bless You".
Amr bin Al-As hastened to Umar end there said "Amir-ul-Muminin, two persons have come from Kufa, and they seek permission to see you".
Umar became curious at being addressed "Amirul-Muminin". He asked Amr bin Al-Aas as to how he had coined the term 'Amir-ul-Muminin'. Amr bin Al-Aas said that the visitors from Kufa had used that term, and as he was attracted by the term he had used it.
Umar said "We were in search of some suitable term to signify the office I hold, and here is a term which is attractive". He asked Amr bin Al-Aas as to what he thought of the title.
Amr bin Al-Aas said "I am attracted by the term. It is God sent. We all are Muslims and you are our Amir. The term is very attractive and significant."
After Umar had seen the visitors from Kufa, he convened a meeting of his consultative assembly, and there the question was discussed whether he should adopt the title of 'Amir-ul-Muminin' for the office that he held. The Assembly approved the title.
Before becoming the Caliph Umar lived by trade. After assuming the Caliph he could no longer carry on charge as his business. He accordingly agreed to accept a daily allowance from the Baitul Mal. Different amounts of daily allowance were suggested by different people. Umar sought the advice of Ali as to the amount of the allowance he should accept. Ali suggested that he should take as much amount as might moderately suffice for an average Arab, neither too much, nor too little. Umar accepted this suggestion and a modest amount of allowance was settled for him. The exact amount of the allowance thus settled is, however, not reported in any history.
Later on some companions including Ali, Usman, Zubair, and Talhah thought of increasing the allowance of Umar as it was not sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of Umar. These companions could not have the courage to broach this subject to Umar direct. They accordingly approached Hafsa the daughter of Umar, and asked her to ascertain Umar's reaction to the proposal.
Thereupon Umar wanted Hafsa to tell what was the Holy Prophet's best dress in her house. She said that it was a pair of clothes of red colour which the Holy Prophet wore on Fridays or when receiving envoys.
Umar then asked what was the best of food that the Holy Prophet took. She said that the Holy Prophet's food was simple barley bread. Umar next asked as to what was the best bedding that the Holy Prophet ever used. She said that it was a piece of thick cloth. In summer it was spread in four layers and in winter in two, half he spread underneath, and with the other half he covered himself.
Thereupon Umar said:
"Hafsa, go and tell the people who have deputed you that the Holy Prophet has set a standard by his personal example. I must follow him. My case and that of thc Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr is like the case of three men travelling on the same road. The first man started with a provision and reached the goal. Thc second followed the first and joined him. Now the third is on his way. If he follows their way he will also join them, otherwise he can never reach them."
When Hafsah told of Umar's reaction to the proposal to the companions who had dcputed her they said: "May God bless Umar. He excels all of us in the matter of virtue."
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took steps to ensure that the teaching of the Holy Quran was spread extensively, and that a large number of persons learnt the text by heart so that there could be no possibility of any corruption in the text.
Under the orders of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him), hundreds of schools were opened throughout the length and breadth of the islamic world for the teaching of the Holy Quran. Highly qualified teachers were appointed for the purpose, and they were given good salaries.
Such Companions who had learnt the Holy Quran by heart were sent to distant places to teach the Holy Quran. Muadh bin Jabal; Ibada bin Al-Samit; and Abu Darda were prominent companions who knew the Holy Quran by heart. They were sent to Syria where Ibada headed the school at Hims: Abu Darda at Damascus; and Muadh at Jerusalem. It is related that Abu Darda held his classes in the Jamia Masjid at Damascus and the enrolment in his class was 1600.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took pains in promoting and popularising the study of the Holy Quran. All the Muslims were required to learn at least five Suras by heart. Special stipends were granted for the learning of the Holy Quran. In his instructions to the Army, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) exhorted the men to read and memorise the Holy Quran.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was very particular about the use of correct vowels and the correct pronunciation of the words in the Holy Quran. In his instructions to the teachers of the Holy Quran, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said:
"Teach them the vowels of the Quran, as you teach its learning by heart."
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also instructed that along with the teaching of the Holy Quran, the study of the Arabic language and literature should be made compulsory so that the readers of the Holy Quran should themselves be able to distinguish between right and wrong vowels.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also laid down that no one who was not versed in Arabic lexicology should be permitted to teach the Holy Quran.
As the Islamic dominions extended progressively, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) ordered that mosques should be built in all conquered territories.
In the newly founded cities of Kufa and Basra, Jami Masjids were built in the centre of the city and smaller mosques were built in each tribal quarter.
It is widely believed that Umar stressed more on consolidating his power and political influence in the conquered land, rather than pursuing conquests. Nevertheless, under Umar the Islamic empire grew at an unprecedented rate. In 638, after the conquest of Syria, Umar dismissed Khalid, his most successful general, owing to his ever-growing fame and influence. He was quoted as doing this because he wanted the people to know that victory came from God, not the general. Later however Umar regretted this decision. The military conquest were partially terminated between 638–639 during the years of great famine and plague in Arabia and Levant respectively. During his reign Levant, Egypt, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, Fezzan, Eastern Anatolia, almost whole of Sassanid Persian Empire including Bactria, Persia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Caucasus and Makran were annexed to Islamic Empire. According to one estimate more than 4050 cities were captured during these military conquest. Prior to his death in 644, Umar had ceased all military expeditions apparently to consolidate his rule in Egypt and the newly conquered Sassanid Empire (642–644). At his death in November 644, his rule extended from present day Libya in the west to the Indus river in the east and the Oxus river in the north.
In the case of smaller towns in Iraq and Syria, a mosque was required to be constructed in each town. According to one account as many as 4000 mosques were constructed during the caliphate of Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him).
During 638 A.D., Arabia suffered from serious draught. There were no rains, and as such there was no cultivation. That led to serious famine. There was not a blade of grass to be found anywhere, and as such there was nothing for the animals to graze upon. Because of serious famine conditions the people were involved in great distress. Black dust storms blow over the countryside and that added to the distress of the people. The people from the interior flocked to the cities. There was practically no grain in the market. Ghee, butter and meat disappeared from the markets. It became a serious problem to feed the people.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) rose to the occasion. He wrote to the provincial governors asking them to send food-grains to Arabia. Camel loads of foodgrains and other necessities of life came from Syria, Iraq, and Egypt. Foodgrains were received from Egypt through the sea as well.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) distributed foodgrains and other necessities among the people family wise. Meals were cooked at the State level and all persons from interior of the desert who took refuge in Madina were fed daily at state expense. According to one account as many as 40,000 persons were fed every day.
In view of the resources of his disposal, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) could afford to have dainty food but he vowed that as long as the famine lasted he would eat only what was available to an Arab of ordinary means. He refused to eat meat, ghee or butter during the period of famine. He ordered that his meal should be cooked with oil. He would eat only the coarsest of food. As a consequence of eating nutritionless food his colour took a blacker hue. His stomach would rumble, but he said: "O stomach you may rumble as much as you like, but as long as the famine persists I cannot allow you anything dainty". One day some ghee came to the market and his servant purchased the ghee for him. When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) came to know of that he refused to have anything to do with such a luxury. A son of his cooked some meat one day and offered him the dish. He refused to eat it. So strict was Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) that during the period of famine he refused to go near his wives.
At night he would move about from street to street to see for himself that all had been fed. Whenever any case of hardship came to his notice he would rush relief immediately. He would in most cases carry the relief goods on his own back. After taking his rounds, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) would pray to God till late hours of the night. He would then wake up in the early hours of the morning, and again pray before going to the mosque to lead the morning prayer.
By early 639 conditions begun to improve. Arabia received precipitation and as soon as the famine ended, Umar personally supervised the rehabilitation of the displaced people. They were given adequate amounts of rations and were exempted from payment of zakat for that year and the next year.
While famine was ending in Arabia, many districts in Syria and Palestine were devastated by plague. While Umar was on his way to visit Syria, at Elat, he was received by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, governor of Syria, who informed him about plague and its intensity, and suggested Umar to go back to Madinah. Umar tried to persuade Abu Ubaidah to come with him to Madinah, but he denied to leave his troops in that critical situation. Abu Ubaidah died in 639 due to plague, which also cost the lives of 25,000 Muslims in Syria. After the plague had weakened in late 639, Umar visited Syria for political and administrative re-organization, as most of the veteran commanders and governors had died of plague.
The Hijri Calendar was started by Umar some time in 638 AD. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the sacred mosque at Kaaba extended. In 639 AD Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) purchased the surrounding houses at state expense. These were demolished, and the area under them was included in the mosque. Heretofore there was no wall round the mosque. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had a wall constructed for the first time. Heretoforc the mosques were not lit. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) provided lights for the mosques for the first time.
Formerly the cover of the Kaaba was of ordinary cloth. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the cover made of a superior and finer cloth manufactured in Egypt.
The bounds of the Haram, the sanctuary of the Kaaba extended to three miles in one direction, and seven to nine miles in other directions. The boundaries were not defined, and there was the risk of this area being encroached upon. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) had the area surveyed, and the boundaries were demarcated. Stone pillars called Ansab were fixed to mark the boundaries.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) extended the Prophet's Mosque at Madina as well. In 639 AD, the same year as the Kaaba was extended, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) purchased the houses that surrounded the Masjid i-Nabvi. After demolishing them, the area was utilised for the extension of the mosque.
Abbas whose house also surrounded the mosque refused to sell his house. He sued the state in the Court of the Qazi Ubayy bin Kab. The Court gave its verdict against the state, and held that the property could not be acquired compulsorily. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accepted the verdict of the Court. Thereupon Abbas voluntarily gifted his house for the extension of the mosque. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) accepted the gift gratefully, and provided alternative accommodation to Abbas.
As a result of extension the length of the mosque rose from 100 to 140 yards while its width rose from 60 to 80 yards. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) was the first to provide lights for Masjid-i-Nabvi. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) also made arrangements for the burning of the incense in the mosque. The floor of the mosque was paved and covered with mats. When Islam appeared on the world stage, the world economy was based on slavery. Islam was the first religion to raise its voice against slavery. Among the early converts to Islam, many were slaves. Indeed one of the reasons for the hostility of the Quraish againt Islam was that they saw in Islam a hostile force to slavery on which the economy of Mecca was based.
When Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) became the Caliph of Islam, he took particular measures to eliminate the evils of slavery as far as possible. He took a very bold step when he declared that no Arab could be a slave. Arabia was thus the first country in the world, which under the impact of Islam abolished slavery. During the apostasy wars many Arabs had been taken captive and made slaves. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) emancipated all such slaves.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) implemented this injunction and laid down that a slave could make an agreement with the master that he would pay so much within the specified period to secure his freedom.
In the matter of stipends allowed by the state, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) made no distinction between the master and the slave. The slaves were given the stipends on the same scale as their masters.
Umar is regarded as one of the greatest political geniuses in history. While under his leadership, the empire was expanding at an unprecedented rate, he also began to build the political structure that would hold together the vast empire that was being built. He undertook many administrative reforms and closely oversaw public policy. He established an advanced administration for the newly conquered lands, including several new ministries and bureaucracies, and ordered a census of all the Muslim territories. During his rule, the garrison cities (amsar) of Basra and Kufa were founded or expanded. In October 644 Umar went for Hajj in Mecca
Assassination
After the battle of Nihawand, many Persians, men, women, and children were taken as captives by the Muslims. The captives were sold as slaves. One of these slaves was Firoz Alias Abu Lulu. He was purchased by Mughirah Shu'bah the Governor of Basra. This Firoz was a craftsman, a carpenter, an iron smith and a painter. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) did not allow non-Muslim adult captives to reside in Madina. Mughirah sought special permission for the residence of Firoz in Madina on the ground that as he was a skilled craftsman, he would be of service to the people. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) gave the permission as a special case.
One day, Firoz waited on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) and complained that the tax which his master Mughirah was exacting from him was too high. He wanted the Caliph to reduce the levy. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) enquired what work did he do. He said that he worked as a carpenter, painter, and an ironsmith. He added that he could make windmills as well. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) next enquired as to the amount of the tax that he was required to pay to his master. He said that he had to pay two dirhams a day. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said that keeping in view the lucrative nature of the jobs done by him, the levy of two dirhams a day was prima facie not excessive. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said that he would, however, write to Mughirah, and examine the question further in the light of what Mughirah said. That did not satisfy Firoz, and he went away sulking.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) wrote to Mughirah, and in reply Mughirah quoted facts and figures to establish that what he took from his slave was by no means excessive. When Firoz called on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) again, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) explained to him that as the levy was not excessive, no reduction therein was called for that made Foroz angry. In order to humour Firoz, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said, "I understand you make windmills; make one for me as well." In a sullen mood, Firoz said, "Verily I will make such a mill for you, that the world would talk about it." As Firoz went away, the Caliph told the people around him that the Persian slave had threatened him.
There were Persian children slaves in Madina. Seeing them, Firoz would say, "You have been enslaved at such a tender age. This Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) sees eaten my heart. I will take his heart out". He made for himself a dagger with a very sharp edge and smeared it with poison.
On the 3rd of November 644 A.D. at the time of the morning prayer, Firoz went with his dagger to the Prophet's mosque and hid himself in a corner in one of the recesses of the mosque. When the faithful stood for prayer after straightening the lines, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took up his position as the Imam to lead the prayer, Firoz emerged from his place of hiding and rushed at Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). Firoz struck Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) six consecutive blows with his dagger, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) fell on the floor profusely bleeding.
Other persons rushed at Firoz, but he had the fury and frenzy of a desperate man about him. He struck right and left, and thirteen Muslims were wounded, some of them fatally, before Firoz could be overpowered. At last realising that he could not escape, Firoz stabbed himself to death with his own dagger.
From the mosque Umar was carried home. When he regained consciousness he asked who was his murderer. He was told that his murderer was the Persian slave Firoz. Thereupon Umar said, "Praise be to God that I have not been murdered by a Muslim".
The physician administered him date cordial and milk. These could not be digested and gushed out of his wounds. That indicated that the wounds were fatal and that he could not survive for long.
Umar asked his son Abdullah to wait on Ayesha and beg her permission for his burial by the side of the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr. Ayesha wept as she came to know that Umar was about to die. She said, "I had reserved this place for my own burial, but I give Umar precedence over myself. Let him be buried there". When Umar was told that Ayesha had given the permission, he felt happy and said, "God bless Ayesha. She has fulfilled my greatest wish. Now I can die in peace."
Then he asked his son to estimate the debt that he had to pay. He was told that the debt amounted to eighty six thousand dirhams. This included the salary that he had drawn from the Baitul Mal during the period of his caliphate. He instructed that the debt should be paid by the sale of his property.
Umar died of the wounds three days later on Sunday, 7 November 644 (26th Dhu Al-Hijja 23 Hijri ). He ruled for 10 years, 6 months and 4 days; As per Umar's will, he was buried next to Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi alongside Mohammad and Caliph Abu Bakr by the permission of Aisha.
One day, Firoz waited on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) and complained that the tax which his master Mughirah was exacting from him was too high. He wanted the Caliph to reduce the levy. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) enquired what work did he do. He said that he worked as a carpenter, painter, and an ironsmith. He added that he could make windmills as well. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) next enquired as to the amount of the tax that he was required to pay to his master. He said that he had to pay two dirhams a day. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said that keeping in view the lucrative nature of the jobs done by him, the levy of two dirhams a day was prima facie not excessive. Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said that he would, however, write to Mughirah, and examine the question further in the light of what Mughirah said. That did not satisfy Firoz, and he went away sulking.
Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) wrote to Mughirah, and in reply Mughirah quoted facts and figures to establish that what he took from his slave was by no means excessive. When Firoz called on Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) again, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) explained to him that as the levy was not excessive, no reduction therein was called for that made Foroz angry. In order to humour Firoz, Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) said, "I understand you make windmills; make one for me as well." In a sullen mood, Firoz said, "Verily I will make such a mill for you, that the world would talk about it." As Firoz went away, the Caliph told the people around him that the Persian slave had threatened him.
There were Persian children slaves in Madina. Seeing them, Firoz would say, "You have been enslaved at such a tender age. This Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) sees eaten my heart. I will take his heart out". He made for himself a dagger with a very sharp edge and smeared it with poison.
On the 3rd of November 644 A.D. at the time of the morning prayer, Firoz went with his dagger to the Prophet's mosque and hid himself in a corner in one of the recesses of the mosque. When the faithful stood for prayer after straightening the lines, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) took up his position as the Imam to lead the prayer, Firoz emerged from his place of hiding and rushed at Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him). Firoz struck Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) six consecutive blows with his dagger, and Umar (ALLAH Bless With Him) fell on the floor profusely bleeding.
Other persons rushed at Firoz, but he had the fury and frenzy of a desperate man about him. He struck right and left, and thirteen Muslims were wounded, some of them fatally, before Firoz could be overpowered. At last realising that he could not escape, Firoz stabbed himself to death with his own dagger.
From the mosque Umar was carried home. When he regained consciousness he asked who was his murderer. He was told that his murderer was the Persian slave Firoz. Thereupon Umar said, "Praise be to God that I have not been murdered by a Muslim".
The physician administered him date cordial and milk. These could not be digested and gushed out of his wounds. That indicated that the wounds were fatal and that he could not survive for long.
Umar asked his son Abdullah to wait on Ayesha and beg her permission for his burial by the side of the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr. Ayesha wept as she came to know that Umar was about to die. She said, "I had reserved this place for my own burial, but I give Umar precedence over myself. Let him be buried there". When Umar was told that Ayesha had given the permission, he felt happy and said, "God bless Ayesha. She has fulfilled my greatest wish. Now I can die in peace."
Then he asked his son to estimate the debt that he had to pay. He was told that the debt amounted to eighty six thousand dirhams. This included the salary that he had drawn from the Baitul Mal during the period of his caliphate. He instructed that the debt should be paid by the sale of his property.
Umar died of the wounds three days later on Sunday, 7 November 644 (26th Dhu Al-Hijja 23 Hijri ). He ruled for 10 years, 6 months and 4 days; As per Umar's will, he was buried next to Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi alongside Mohammad and Caliph Abu Bakr by the permission of Aisha.