Umar ibn al-Khattab

For other uses of the name, see Umar (disambiguation).

Umar ibn al-Khattab (in Arabic, عمر بن الخطاب) (c. 581 - November, 644), sometimes referred to as Umar Farooq or just as Omar or Umar, was from the Banu Adi clan of the Quraish tribe.

He became the second caliph of Islam (634-644) and is regarded by Sunnis as one of the first four Khulfa-e-Rashidun (in Persian and Urdu, خلفأے راشدین) (in Malay Khulafa al-Rasyidin) (or "Rightly Guided Caliphs").

The Shi'a, however, believe that he usurped authority that properly belonged to Ali ibn Abu Talib. Sunni and Shi'a hold diametrically opposite views of Umar, as can be seen in the "Sunni view" and "Shi'a view" sections at the end of this article.

His early life

Umar was born in Mecca. He is said to have belonged to a middle class family. He was literate, which was uncommon in those times, and he was also well known for his physical strength, being a champion wrestler.

After his conversion to Islam, he remembered with shame and regret killing his young daughter while he was still a "pagan" (female infanticide was an accepted practice among the Arabs).

He is quoted as saying:

I cried when I remembered digging a hole and burying my daughter. Whilst I was putting her in, she reached up and brushed dirt from my beard."

His conversion to Islam

When Muhammad first declared his message of Islam, Umar resolved to defend the traditional religion of the Quraish (regarded by Muslims as idolatry). Umar was most adamant in opposing Muhammad and very prominent in persecuting the Muslims.

According to an early story, recounted in Ibn Ishaq's Sira, Umar is said to have resolved to assassinate Muhammad. A Muslim (technically, this term was not used until after the migration to Medina in 622C.E., before which Muhammad's followers were believers, Muminun) he met on the way told him to set his own house in order first, as his sister had converted to Islam.

Umar went to her house (618C.E.) and found her reciting verses of the Qur'an. He became infuriated and hit her. When he saw her bleeding, he was sorry for what he had done and to please her, said he would read the sura (chapter), Ta-Ha, that she had been reading. He was so struck by the sura that he accepted Islam that day (Guillaume, 156-7). The previous day Muhammad had prayed that someone of Umar's stature would convert.An alternative account has Umar hearing Muhammad recite the Qur'an near the Ka'bah, which 'softened' Umar's heart so that 'Islam', he says, 'entered him' (Guillaume, 158). In both accounts he immediately seeks out Muhammad and is welcomed by him. Muhamamd gave thanks 'so loudly that the whole household knew that Umar had become a Muslim'.

After that, Umar was as determined and impetuous in defending Islam as he had been in persecuting it (Guillaume, 155). When he converted to Islam, he was a mature man of thirty to thirty-five years of age. His reputation among the Meccans was such that his conversion made a considerable impact on the struggling community of believers, and it has been claimed that with Umar's conversion, Islam recruited new strength, and Muslims were now able to dare the pagans. Ibn Ishaq rcorded that his conversion to Islam was a victory. He was a 'strong, stubborn man whose protégés none dare attack', thus the Prophet's 'companions were ... fortified by him' (Guillaume, 155). The beleivers could now leave their places of hiding, and pray openly in the precincts of the Kaaba. Ibn Ishaq says that Umar 'fought the Quraysh until he could pray there' and that the believrs followed. Others add that the believers were no longer afraid of Abu Jahl, the 'father of ignorance' who led opposition to Muhamamd and would publicly reprimans and ridicule any new convert, then order a boycott of dealings with them. He led the troops at the Battle of Badr (624C.E.). Umar soon became a trusted and senior adviser of Muhammad.

Umar in Medina

Umar was part of the first emigration (Hijra) to Yathrib (renamed Medinat al Nabi, or simply Medina shortly thereafter) in 622 C.E. He was present at Badr, Uhud, Khaybar, and the raid on Syria, as well as many other engagements. He became equally renowned for his piety and simple life-style as he was for his military prowess.

In 625, Umar's daughter Hafsa bint Umar was married to Muhammad. Muhammad's household was not always peaceful; his wives quarreled over his favors and took sides against each other. Umar was much displeased when he heard this, and according to the story, scolded her thus:

"Hafsa, the (news) has reached me that you cause Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) trouble. You know that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) does not love you, and had I not been (your father) he would have divorced you." (On hearing this) she wept bitterly (Sahih Muslim, Book 009, Number 3507)

The death of Muhammad

Muhammad died in Medina in 632 C.E. Umar is said to have at threatened to kill anybody who said that Muhammad had died. He was calmed when Abu Bakr said, "If anyone worshipped Muhammad, then know that Muhammad is dead, but if anyone worshipped Allah, then Allah is living and does not die." Abu Bakr then recited these words from the Qur'an: "Muhammad 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?"

The Sunnis call this his love for Muhammad while the Shi'as say that Umar wished to delay the funeral, so that Abu Bakr could return to Medina and seize power.

Shi'a and Sunni Muslims have sharply different views regarding account of the events following Muhammad's death. See caliph for further details.

Abu Bakr, supported by Umar, assumed leadership of the community after Muhammad. During Abu Bakr's short reign as caliph, Umar was one of his chief advisors. Abu Bakr nominated Umar as his successor prior to his death in 634. He was confirmed in the office thereafter. Ali ibn Abu Talib, whom many (Banu Hashim) believed should have been the first caliph, was again passed over.

Umar's Caliphate

During Umar's reign, the Islamic empire grew at an unprecedented rate, taking Mesopotamia and parts of Persia from the Sassanids (effectively ending that empire), and taking Egypt, Palestine, Syria, North Africa and Armenia from the Byzantines. Many of these conquests followed the watershed Battle of Yarmuk in 636 when a Muslim army of 40,000 decisively defeated a Byzantine force numbering 120,000, permanently ending Byzantine rule south of Asia Minor. (The numbers may be inexact or exaggerated.)

In 637, after a prolonged siege of Jerusalem, the Muslims took the city. Umar was given the key to the city by the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Sophronius, and invited to pray at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Umar chose to pray some distance from the Church, so as not to endanger its status as a Christian temple. Fifty-five years later, the Mosque of Umar was constructed on the site where he prayed. For one version of Umar's speech to the people after the surrender of Jerusalem, see [1].

{Upon these clients or "people of protection" (ahl adh-dhimma) twelve conditions were imposed, six necessary and six desirable. The former were that they should not revile the Kor'an, nor Mohammad, nor Islam; that they should not marry a Muslim woman; that they should not attempt to convert a Muslim or injure him in life or goods; and that they should not assist the enemy nor harbour spies. From the client committing any of these offences the protection of the Muslims was withdrawn; that is, he becomes an outlaw and his life forfeited. The six "desirable" conditions are that they should wear distinctive clothing, the ghiyar, a yellow patch on their dress, and the girdle (zannar); that they should not build houses higher than those of the Muslims; nor ring their wooden bells (nalcus), nor read their scriptures in a loud voice; nor drink wine in public, nor let their crosses or swine be seen that their dead should be wept and buried in silence; and that they should not mount a horse, only mules and asses. The breach of these regulations was visited with penalties- 137)

Omar entered Jerusalem in humility. He walked in with not he, the Caliph, but his servant comfortably riding on a camel. They had been taking turns walking and riding. (Muir: 135)

At one point in Jerusalem, the Christians asked him to pray in their church but he declined. He said he was afraid that in the future Muslims could use this as an excuse to take over the Church to build a Masjid (Muir: 132).

The Christians gave the key of the Church of Resurrection to Muslims to be responsible for its safety. This key is still with the Muslims today as a sign and symbol of the mutual trust.

Umar undertook many administrative reforms and closely oversaw public policy, establishing an advanced administration for newly conquered lands, including several new ministries and bureaucracies, as well as ordering a census of all the Muslim territories. During his reign, the garrison cities of Basra and Kufa were founded. In 638 he extended and renovated the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. He also began the process of codifying Islamic law.

Umar was known for his simple lifestyle. Rather than adopt the pomp and display affected by the rulers of the time, he continued to live much as he had when Muslims were poor and persecuted.

Death

Umar died in 644, the victim of an assassin's dagger. Umar's killer (Abu-Lu'lu'ah) was a Persian slave who is said to held a personal grudge against Umar; he stabbed the Caliph six times as Umar led prayers in the Masjid al Nabawi mosque in Medina and then committed suicide.

Umar died two days later, and was buried alongside Muhammad and Abu Bakr. Uthman ibn Affan was elected as his successor, by a group of prominent Muslims appointed by Umar before his death.

The Sunni view of Umar

The Sunni consider him a strong, wise, humble and competent ruler, the second rightly guided Caliph. They consider him as a true follower of the Islamic faith. Sunnis believe he was good in the battle field. Sunnis say at the time of his death he was asked if he would like to nominate his son Abdullah bin Umar as Caliph. and he replied "One is enough from Umar's Family.".

The Shi'a view of Umar

The Shi'a regard Umar as a usurper, and criticize him harshly. He is said to have questioned some of Muhammad's decisions, shown cowardice in battle, and been too harsh to his daughter when he scolded her for her behavior towards Muhammad. During the matter of the disputed succession to Muhammad, he persecuted Ali and caused the death of Muhammad's daughter Fatima Zahra. Shi'a say that Umar ruled capriciously as caliph, at times giving legal rulings which contradicted the Qur'an and sunnah.

See main article Shia view of Umar ibn al-Khattab

Preceded by: Abu Bakr

Caliph 634–644

Succeeded by: Uthman

Farooqui

The family names Farooqui (alternative spellings, Farooqi, Faruqi, etc.) and El-Umari are used by families claiming descent from Umar.

See Also

• Family tree of Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Succession to Muhammad
• Changes to the Sunnah made by the Rashidun
• Shia view of Umar ibn al-Khattab
• Historiography of early Islam

External links

• Al Farooq - The Life of Umar The Great By Shams-Ul-Ulama Allama Shibli Numani

• Excerpt from The History of the Khalifahs by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti

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