Part 24

Thus came to an end the life of the man who could accomplish in a few years what others could not do in decades. The man who stood up bravely to an internal revolution, and valiantly opposed the two greatest empires of his time. The man who was simple in his outward appearance but great in his inward attitude. The man whose spirit was as magnificent as that of angels. Who first compiled the Quran, for which he deserves from all its readers, sympathetic prayers and hearty blessings.

May Allah be pleased with him and rest his soul in peace!

may Allah be pleased with him

“If there be a Prophet after me, that would be “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab.”

“Umar Migrates Despite the Disbelievers

Hadith on the Virtues of “Umar

The Prophet's Companions and Early Muslims Speak of “Umar

Instances When the Divine Revelation Concorded with’ Umar's View

“Umar's Miracles The Prophet Gives “Umar the Glad Tidings That He Will Be Admitted to Paradise “Umar's Steadfast Faith

An Invaluable Advice from Al-Faroog (Umar) “Umar Highly Revered By All

“Umar's Insight During the Expedition of Tabook “Umar's Utter Devotion in Worship

“Umar, an Example to Be Followed

“Umar Mourns the Prophet's Death

“Umar Pledges Allegiance to Abu Bakr

“Umar Assumes the Caliphate

*Umar, a Matchless Caliph

“Umar's Famous Night Patrols

*Umar's Unique Loyalty and Gratitude

“Umar Follows the Example of the Prophet Highlights on *Umar's life

“Umar: A Pioneering Mentality

Events in the Life of “Umar

*Umar's Mercy on His Subjects

*Umar: The Founder of the Muslim State Refuting Allegations Concerning ~Umar's Deposing Khalicl Ibn Al-Waleed

Muslims Conquests in Umar s Era

*Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab Takes Over

The Battle of Al-Yarmook

The Battles in Iraq

The Battle of the Bridge

The Battle of Al-Qadissiyah

The Conquest of Jerusalem

The Conquest of Egypt

When It Was Time to Go

The Prophet's Companions Commend *Umar Among ~Umar's Memorable Words

Born three years after the Year of the Elephant (“Am AlFeel), “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab was among the elite of the tribe of Quraysh. Whenever the flames of a feud flared between Quraysh and some other tribe, * Umar was always the tribe’s ambassador, speaking in their name and retrieving their rights. Whenever tribes bragged or rivaled Quraysh, he excelled in boasting of their glories. In short, “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab was the invaluable gem Quraysh prided itself on. Before finding his way to the haven of Islam, ‘Umar led a life of recklessness, indulging in wine, flirting with women and delighting in overpowering his mates. An incredibly robust man of extraordinary prowess, ‘Umar was greatly feared and highly revered by all who knew or even heard of him. Before he became a die-hard believer, “Umar, driven by his ruthlessness and violent nature, fought the new converts callously during the early days of Islam inflicting the severest torture on them.

Ibn ~Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, was reported to have described ~Umar saying: "He was a tall fair-skinned man with a touch of redness in his face, and a few gray streaks of hair." (Reported by Ibn Sa‘ d.)

Ibn *Umar reports that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, once supplicated: "O Allah, grant Islam strength through the closer and more beloved to You: “Umar Ibn AlKhattaab or Abu Jaht Ibn Hishaam." (Reported by AtTarmidhi.)

Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, states: "* Umar went out, sword in hand, meaning to kill the Prophet. A man from Banu Zuhrah met him on the way and asked him, ' Where are you going, “Umar ?' He answered,’ I am off to kill Muhammad. Amazed and astounded, the man said, ‘Do you think Banu Hishaam and Banu Zuhrah will spare your life should you do that?' ' It seems to me that you have abandoned your religion,’ burst ~Umar. The man retorted, ‘Shall I tell you what is even more surprising? Your brother-in-law and your sister have both deserted your religion.’ “Umar walked away heading for their house. Khabbabb, who was then with them, quickly hid. “Umar walked in and angrily asked,’ What was that murmur I heard?’ They were reading Surah Taha. They replied, ‘We were only talking.’ ' It seems to me that you have abandoned your faith,’ ~Umar roared. His brother-in-law pleaded, ‘O ~Umar, what if the truth lies in some other faith, not yours?’ At this point, ~ Umar sprang upon him and dealt him a_ heavy blow. His sister rushed to her husband's rescue only to be severely hit causing her face to bleed. Enraged, she said, ‘The truth does lie in another faith than yours. I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His Messenger and Prophet.' “Umar rejoined, ‘Hand me this leaf so I can read_ it.’ “Umar was literate. His sister refused saying, ' You are unclean (on account of your idolatry) and it is a book

(V4 24d Sh) "oy abs yy apy

"Which none shall touch but those who are clean." (AlWagqi ah: 79) Go take a purificatory bath (Ghusl) or perform ablution. “Umar did the latter. Then, picking up the leaf, he started reading, till he came to the verse:

Similarly, Aslam reports * Umar to have said: "I used to be a merciless foe of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. It was on a sweltering day, somewhere, in Makkah that | met a man who told me, '! cannot help but wonder at you, son of Al-Khattaab! You claim to be so and so, though this new creed has won over your own kin.' ~ Umar asked, ' How so?' The man rejoined, ' Your sister has embraced Islam.‘ Fuming with anger, I headed for her house and knocked on the door. They asked, ‘Who is it?' 1 answered, 'It is ~Umar.' They hurriedly went in to hide leaving behind a leaf they were reading. When my sister opened the door, I yelled, 'You are your own worst enemy, how could you abandon your religion?’ I then hit her on the head with something [ had in my hand. Her

tears slowly crawled down on her face as she bled. She said, ‘Do as you please, son of Al-Khattaab, for I have abandoned my old faith.’ I went in and sat on the bed. I spotted the leaf and asked her to hand it to me. She said, "You cannot hold it for you do not cleanse yourself from the major ritual impurity;

(VA: dedi hy “oy gba yy) laj y

"Which none shall touch but those who are clean.” (AlWaqi ah: 79) I insisted, so she handed it to me. Unfolding it, I read, ‘In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.’ Having come across one of Allah's attributes, I was overcome by a feeling of dread, so I threw the leaf. But then I picked it up again and read:

CV dally Sot pall sy ith wy oiat gu all ate

“Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, let it declare the Praises and Glory of Allah.’ (As-Saff: 1) Again I felt dismayed, yet I read on till I encountered the verse:

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger.” (An-Nisaa': 136) Then, I said: ‘I testify that there is no god but Allah.’ Thereupon, they rushed out rejoicingly repeating, ‘Allah is the Greatest.’ They told me, 'We have good news for you; the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed last Monday saying, 'O Allah, grant Islam strength through the closer and more beloved to You: “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab or Abu Jahl Ibn Hishaam.' They then told me that the Prophet was in a house in Safa, so I headed there. When I knocked on their door, I heard

a voice ask, ‘Who is it?' I replied, 'It is son of Al-Khattaab. They knew [ was a bitter enemy of Allah's Messenger. Therefore, no one dared open the door till the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave them permission to do so. Two men caught me by the arm and took me to the Prophet. He said, ‘Let go of him.’ He then grappled with me pulling me toward himself and said, ‘Embrace Islam, son of Al-Khattaab. Do guide him (to the Right Path), O Allah,’ I then pronounced the profession of faith. Thereupon, all Muslims cried out of Joy, ‘Allah is the Greatest.’ Their words echoed in all parts of Makkah.

"At that time, Muslims had, not yet publicly declared their faith. I hated to watch a man being beaten and abused for embracing Islam without being made to suffer myself. | headed for my uncle, Abu Jahl Ibn Hishaam, who was among the elite of Quraysh. I knocked on his door. He asked, 'Who is it?' I replied, ‘It is son of Al-Khattaab, and | have abandoned my religion." He returned, ‘Do not.’ He then simply went inside and closed the door. I thought, 'That was hardly cruel.’ I headed for one of Quraysh's key figures and called out his name, so he stepped out. I repeated to him exactly what I had told my uncle. He too repeated to me my uncle's very words and closed the door to my face, too. I said to myself, ‘That was hardly cruel. Muslims are all abused, yet I am not.’ A man asked me, 'You wish to make your embracing Islam publicly known, don't you?' I answered, 'I do.' He said, 'When people gather at the ‘roofless yard’, approach a particular man who hardly ever keeps a secret and secretly break to him the news that you have abandoned your faith.' So when people gathered at the roofless yard, I secretly whispered to the man, ‘I have abandoned my religion.’ He asked, ‘Have you?' I asserted, 'Yes.' The man immediately cried at the top of his voice, ‘Son of Al-Khattaab has abandoned his religion.’ People rushed to me and fell to beating me and J beat them back. When a huge