The Life and Legacy of
Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA)
Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), widely known as Umar Farooq, is one of the most powerful and influential figures in Islamic history. As the second Caliph of Islam, his reign is remembered for its unparalleled justice, monumental administrative reforms, and the vast expansion of the Islamic state.
Early Life and Family Background
Hazrat Umar (RA) was born in Mecca around 584 CE, approximately 13 years after the Year of the Elephant.
- Tribe: He belonged to the Banu Adi clan, a respected branch of the Quraysh tribe.
- Parents: His father was Khattab ibn Nufayl, known for his strict nature, and his mother was Hantammah bint Hisham, who came from the Banu Makhzum tribe.
- Siblings: He had a brother named Zayd ibn al-Khattab (who later embraced Islam and was martyred in the Battle of Yamama) and a sister named Fatimah bint al-Khattab.
Life Before Islam
Before embracing Islam, Umar (RA) was a man of great physical strength and intellect. As a young boy, he shepherded his father's camels in the harsh plains of Arabia. Later in life, he became a successful merchant, traveling extensively to Syria and Yemen, which gave him a deep understanding of different cultures and societies. Unlike most Arabs of his time, Umar (RA) was literate. He was an excellent orator, a fierce wrestler, and highly skilled in martial arts. Because of his intellect, strong personality, and eloquence, the Quraysh often appointed him as their ambassador to negotiate with other tribes.
The Profound Journey to Islam
In the early days of Islam, Umar (RA) was a staunch opponent of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the new religion. The incident of his conversion in the 6th year of Prophethood is one of the most dramatic events in Islamic history. Frustrated by the growing influence of Islam, Umar set out with a drawn sword, intending to assassinate the Prophet (PBUH). On his way, he met a man named Nu'aym ibn Abdullah, who diverted him by revealing that Umar’s own sister, Fatimah, and her husband, Saeed, had already accepted Islam. Enraged, Umar stormed into his sister's house and heard them reciting Surah Ta-Ha from the Quran.
He struck his brother-in-law and his sister, making her bleed. Seeing her bleeding, his anger melted into remorse. He asked to see the parchment they were reading. Upon reading the majestic verses of Surah Ta-Ha, his heart completely transformed. He immediately went to Dar al-Arqam, where the Prophet (PBUH) was staying, and declared his faith. His conversion brought immense strength to the Muslims, allowing them to pray openly at the Kaaba for the very first time. For his ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood, the Prophet (PBUH) gave him the title "Al-Farooq."
Role in Battles
Hazrat Umar (RA) was the right-hand man of the Prophet (PBUH) and stood by him in almost every major military campaign. He fought bravely in the Battle of Badr, Uhud, Khandaq (The Trench), Khaybar, and Hunayn. His fierce loyalty and strategic mind made him a pillar of strength for the Muslim army.
Ascension to the Caliphate (13 AH / 634 CE)
Before his passing in 13 AH, the first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), recognized Umar’s unmatched capability to lead the growing Muslim Ummah. After consulting with senior companions, Abu Bakr (RA) nominated Umar (RA) as the second Caliph.
Expansion of the Islamic Empire
During his ten-year Caliphate (13 AH to 23 AH), the borders of the Islamic state expanded at an astonishing rate. Under his leadership, the Muslim armies defeated the two great superpowers of the time: the Byzantine (Roman) Empire and the Sassanid (Persian) Empire. Islam spread across vast territories, including:
- Syria and Palestine (including the peaceful conquest of Jerusalem).
- The entirety of the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran and Iraq).
- Egypt and parts of North Africa.
Administrative Reforms and Principles of Governance
Hazrat Umar (RA) did not just conquer lands; he built a highly organized and just welfare state. His administrative principles laid the foundation for modern governance:
- Establishment of the Treasury: He organized the Bait-ul-Maal (Public Treasury) to manage state revenues and distribute wealth among the needy, widows, and orphans.
- Judicial System: He separated the judiciary from the executive branch and appointed Qadis (judges) based on their integrity and knowledge.
- Military and Police: He established a regular standing army, built cantonments, fixed salaries for soldiers, and introduced a police force to maintain internal law and order.
- The Hijri Calendar: He formally introduced the Islamic Hijri calendar, starting from the year of the Prophet's migration to Medina.
- Night Patrols: Driven by a deep sense of accountability, he would patrol the streets of Medina at night in disguise to personally check on the well-being of his people, ensuring no one slept hungry.
The Assassination Plot and Martyrdom
The sheer scale of the Persian Empire's defeat left a deep resentment in the hearts of some of its former subjects. Pirouz Nahavandi, also known as Abu Lulu'a, a Persian slave living in Medina, harbored a deep grudge against the Caliph. In a meticulously planned assassination, Abu Lulu'a hid in the Prophet’s Mosque before the morning (Fajr) prayers on the 26th of Dhul-Hijjah, 23 AH. As Hazrat Umar (RA) stood to lead the prayer, Abu Lulu'a suddenly attacked him with a double-bladed, poisoned dagger, stabbing him multiple times in the stomach.
Final Will and Burial
Hazrat Umar (RA) survived the attack for three days. Even on his deathbed, his primary concern was his accountability before Allah and his debts. He instructed his son, Abdullah ibn Umar (RA), to calculate all his personal debts and pay them off from his property.
His greatest wish was to be buried next to his two beloved companions: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). He sent his son to the Prophet’s wife, Hazrat Aisha (RA), to ask for her permission.
- He strictly instructed his son: "Tell her that Umar ibn al-Khattab asks for permission. Do not say 'The Commander of the Faithful,' for today I am no longer the commander of the Muslims."
Hazrat Aisha (RA), who had originally reserved that spot for herself, graciously gave it up for him out of immense respect. On the 1st of Muharram, 24 AH, Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) passed away. He was buried exactly as he had wished in the chamber of Hazrat Aisha (RA), resting side-by-side with the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA).
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