UMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB - PART 1 PREFACE This is only a summary of the life of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA and does not cover all the points of his life story. It is not intended to be a biography, but rather a glimpse of the main incidents of his life so that we can get an idea of his character. For ease of reading, we have not inserted May Allah be pleased with him (RA) each time his name or the name of each Companion is mentioned, but please take it that the salutations apply to all of them, may Allah be pleased with them all. Umar used to say: What will you say to your Lord later? - summing up his religion and his method of life. Narrated Aslam: Ibn Umar asked me about some matters concerning Umar. He said, Since Allahs Apostle died, I have never seen anybody more serious, hardworking and generous than Umar bin Al-Khattab (till the end of his life). Sahih Al-Bukhari - Book 57 Hadith 36 PRE CONVERSION TO ISLAM Little is documented about his life prior to his submission to Islam. We know that Umar was born into a respected Quraish family, thirteen years after the Messenger SAW was born. He learnt to read and write whilst still a child, which was rare in Mecca at that time. A merchant by trade, he was widely travelled as a result. He was a large man, it was said that he never walked among a group of men except that he was the tallest amongst them. He was a skilled horseman and was notorious for his fearsome temper. By some accounts, he was left handed, while others report him to be ambidextrous. His swiftness of temper, coupled with his extraordinary strength, made a terrifying and intimidating combination. However, he was also renowned for his strong sense of justice, and time proved that he judged himself harsher than he did anyone else. Prior to becoming Muslim, he was a sworn enemy of Islam. The idea of Muhammad SAW preaching the Oneness of God in Mecca enraged Umar greatly, as he saw this as a great outrage and insult to the pagan practices of his forefathers. Umar was openly hostile, and even physically violent, to those who embraced Islam. Even when his slave-girl accepted Islam, he beat her on a daily basis until he was exhausted and said I stopped because I am tired, not out of pity for you. EVENTS LEADING UPTO AND INCLUDING CONVERSION Umars acceptance of Islam is perhaps one of the most extraordinary. As Muhammads SAW influence grew, Umar became increasingly resentful. In the sixth year of the revelation, Umar was appointed by a group of Quraish men to kill the Prophet SAW. He set out towards the Prophet SAW, sword in hand, ready to kill him. Enroute he met a friend and when Umar explained what he intended to do, imagine Umars horror when his friend said Why dont you take care of your own family first and set them right? It turned out that Umars own sister, Fatimah, and her husband, had secretly embraced Islam! He was so mortified and furious at this news, and went straight to Fatimahs house where he heard the voice of his brother in law, Khabbab bin Aratt, reciting from the Quran. Umar swiftly started assaulting Khabbab, whereupon Fatimah threw herself between Umar and her husband in order to defend the latter. Umar struck her violently, until she was bleeding. Injured as she was, Fatimah defiantly told Umar O Umar, you can do what you like, but you cannot turn our hearts away from Islam. These words had a profound effect on Umar. What was this faith that made weak women so strong of heart? He felt pity for his sister, and his instinctive sense of fairness prevailed. So he asked Fatimah to show him what she was reading, so that he could know for himself what it was the Muhammad SAW had brought. She refused to give it to him by saying No, for none but the purified persons [i.e. clean from idolatry] are to touch it. Go and take a bath and get yourself purified. He did so, returned and Fatimah gave him the Quran. Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Qurաn to thee to be (an occasion) for thy distress, But only as an admonition to those who fear ((Allah)) Ţ (Quran 20:1-3) He was astounded. It was as if the Quran was addressing him directly! He continued reading, and verse after verse, the light of the Quran penetrated his heart with its undeniable truth. A revelation from Him Who created the earth and the heavens on high.(Allah) Most Gracious is firmly established on the throne (of authority).To Him belongs what is in the heavens and on earth, and all between them, and all beneath the soilŢ He read verses 1-8 and 14-16 of Surat Taha, and when he was done, his sense of justice could no longer deny the truth of the Message. Unbeknownst to him, the Prophet SAW had also made a dua for this occasion - reported by Ibn Umar RA, the Messenger of Allah SAW said O Allah, help Islam with one of the two men that is more beloved to You: Abu Jahl or Umar ibn Al-Khattab. And the more beloved of the two to him was Umar. Umar kissed the document (it is reported that the verses were written on a piece of leaf) and said It is not proper that the One Who has sent down these Holy Verses should have a partner to be worshipped with Him. Guide me to the place where Muhammad SAW is present now. He then went straight to the house of the Prophet SAW. Once he was admitted in the house, the Prophet SAW asked him for the reason of his visit. Umar replied: O Messenger of Allah, I have come to you in order to believe in Allah and His Messenger and that which he has brought from his Lord. Upon hearing this, the Prophet SAW and the Companions shouted with elation Allahu Akbar so loudly that it could be heard at the Kaabah! LIFE: 586AD - 644AD CALIPHATE: 634AD - 644AD
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 09:05:36 +0000