Part 29

AI-A* mash states: I was once at ~Umar's. He brought twenty two thousand Dirhams and did not leave till he had given them all away. Whenever he liked any of the things he owned, he gave it away. ‘Umar frequently gave away sugar. When he was asked why he did, he answered: "Because I love it and Allah, Exalted be He, says:

(VAY 20h yar "By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love." (Ali-- Imraan: 92)"

Mujahid states: “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab once wrote to Abu Moosa Al-Ash*aryy asking him to buy him a bondwoman from the captives of the Galoula' battle. Abu Musa did. So, “Umar called her and set her free then recited Allah's verse:

(VAY 201 poe "By no means shail ye attain righteousness unless ye give

(freely) of that which ye love."

Aslam narrates: "Ibn “Umar asked me about some matters concerning ~ Umar. He said: 'Since Allah's Messenger died, I have never seen anybody more serious, hard working and generous than ~Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab (till the end of his life)." (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

In Al-Fath, Al-Hafiz explains: No one was firmer in handling matters, or more generous in giving away money, than ~Umar. This applies to a specific period of time, namely, the time of his caliphate, so as to exclude the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and Abu Bakr from that.

‘Umar Mourns the Prophet's Death:

Anas narrates: “When the ailment of the Prophet aggravated, he became unconscious, whereupon Faatimah said, ‘Oh, how distressed my father is!’ “Umar said, 'Your father will have no more distress after today.’ When he passed away, she said, 'O Father! Who has responded to the call of the Lord Who has invited him! O Father, whose dwelling place is the Garden of Paradise (i.e. Al-Firdaus)! O Father! We convey this news (of your death) to Gabriel.’ When he was buried, Faatimah said, 'O0 Anas! Do you feel pleased to throw earth over Allah's Messenger?’ " (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Ahmad.)

Al-Hafiz Ibn Rajab, may Allah rest his soul in peace, points: When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, passed away, Muslims were bewildered. Some were astounded and overtaken by confusion. Some felt paralyzed, and could not get up. Others were dumbfounded and could not utter a word. Others yet totally denied his death, and insisted that the Prophet was summoned by Allah. (Lata’if Al-Ma ‘aarif: p. 113-4)

As for “Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab, he cried out: "Some hypocrites claim that Allah's Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, died. He did not die: he rather went to Allah the way Moses, son of “Imraan, did. He stayed away from his people and came back forty nights later, after they claimed he had died. I swear by Allah the Prophet shall be back and will cut the hands and feet of those who claim he is dead." (Reported by Ibn Hishaam)

Abu Bakr came riding his horse from his dwelling place in As-Sunh. He dismounted it, entered the mosque and did not speak with anybody till he came to Faatimah and went directly to the Prophet, who was covered with a marked blanket. Abu Bakr uncovered his face. He knelt down and kissed him and then started weeping and said: "My father and my mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Prophet! Allah will not combine two deaths on you. You have died the death you were destined for." Abu Bakr came out while “Umar was addressing the people. Abu Bakr told him to sit down but *Umar refused. Abu Bakr again told him to sit down, and “Umar again refused. People gathered around Abu Bakr leaving “Umar behind. Abu Bakr started off saying: "Let whoever worshipped Muhammad know that Muhammad is dead, and let whoever worshipped Allah know that Allah is immortal." Allah says:

"Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn

back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude." (Ali-- Imraan: 144)

"By Allah, it was as if people never knew that Allah had revealed this verse before, till Abu Bakr heard it and they received it from him, and I heard everybody recite it (then)." Az-Zuhri_ narrates: Sa*eed [bn Al-Musayyib told me that “Umar said, "By Allah, when I heard Abu Bakr recite it, my legs could not support me and I fell down at the very moment of hearing him, declaring that the Prophet had died." (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

“Umar Pledges Allegiance to Abu Bakr:

Anas [bn Malik reports that he heard ~Umar's sermon when he sat on the pulpit the day after the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, died. ~ Umar started by pronouncing the profession of faith while Abu Bakr was silent. *Umar proceeded: "How I wish Allah's Messenger had outlived us all, However, if Muhammad is dead, Allah has left among us some of the light with which the Prophet was guided. I mean Abu Bakr, the Prophet's companion, and the second of that pair. He is the most eligible person to handle your affairs, so get up and pledge allegiance to him." A group of Muslims had already done so at the shed of Bani Sa* dah. People's public pledge of allegiance was given at the pulpit. Anas proceeds: "I heard “Umar tell Abu Bakr that day: 'Go up the pulpit." * Umar insisted till Abu Bakr complied then all the people pledged allegiance to him." (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)

“Umar Assumes the Caliphate:

Abu Bakr As-Sideeq, Muslim's first Caliph, may Allah be pleased with him, died on Monday 22” Jumadi Al-Akherah

13 AH, after a fifteen day illness during which * Umar led Muslims in salah. While bedridden, Abu Bakr nominated ~Umar for the caliphate after his decease. During the life of the Prophet's successor, “Umar, driven by his usual firmness as well as indisputable sensibility and far-sightedness, always readily offered sound advice and enlightening counsel. His strictness coupled with Abu Bakr's lenience presented a magnificent model of government at a critical time when Islam was preparing to spread its wings and soar high above to beam down on the entire globe. Abu Bakr saw in * Umar the ideal man to succeed him. He therefore had ~ Uthmaan Ibn * Affaan write down this nomination which was read out loud publicly, whereupon Muslims declared their acceptance and obedience.

It was therefore in the year 13 AH that *Umar became Muslims' second Caliph or Amirul Mu'mineen (i.e. the Commander of the Faithful) as he was later called. Their reason behind that title is that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, passed away and Abu Bakr was in charge of Muslims’ affairs, he was constantly called, "the successor of Allah's Messenger". Similarly, when Abu Bakr passed away and * Umar assumed his office, people started calling him, "the successor of the successor of Allah's Messenger". It was hence obvious that this system could not continue and that the need for an appropriate title was definite. ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab was therefore the first to be given the title of Amirul Mu'mineen, which was then passed on to a long tine of caliphs, who nonetheless never came close to being equals to ‘Umar, but who were in charge of the affairs of Muslims in a continually expanding state.

“Umar's sermon and speeches encompass the best lessons to be taught by our contemporary rulers and light the way for those who have been derailed. His words should prey on their consciences and his acts should strike an example to

Abu Bakr was famous for his lenience to the point that young boys used to run to him whenever he passed by calling out, "O father!" He would pat them on the head. Conversely, “Umar was feared to the point that gathered men would disperse and leave their yards till they figured out how he was to handle them. When “Umar learned of that, he cried out publicly, "Come to salah in congregation." ~Umar went up the pulpit and sat where Abu Bakr used to place his feet. When people gathered, “Umar stood up. He started off by praising Allah and glorifying Him, as befits the Lord. He then invoked peace and blessings on the Prophet. ~ Umar proceeded saying: "I learnt that people have come to fear my strictness and firmness and that they said: '‘Umar was severe to us while Allah's Messenger lived among us, then he was severe to us while Abu Bakr was in charge of our affairs. How will he handle us now that he is in charge?"

"Whoever said that is right. I had been in the company of the Prophet, and a servant of his; and he had been, as nobody else was, of extreme lenience and mercy; exactly as Allah describes him saying:

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“,..to the believers compassionate and merciful.” (At-Tawban: 128) And I was at his disposal, and an “unsheathed sword”, till he sheathed me or let me go. Such had I been with him until he passed away much pleased with me. Praise be to Allah, and for this I am greatly happy. Then Abu Bakr came into power to manage the affairs of the faithful; and he was, as you all know, of much graciousness, generosity and lenience; and I was a

servant of his and an assistant, mixing my severity with his lenience, thus being at his disposal and an "unsheathed sword", till he sheathed me or her let me go. Such had I been with him until he passed away much pleased with me. Praise be to Allah, and for this I am greatly happy.

"And now, brethren, I have been nominated to manage your affairs. So be aware, then, that that severity has been weakened, but it will be used only against those who are oppressive and aggressive to Muslims. Yet, to those who seek Islam, safety and goodwill, I shall be more lenient than each of them is to others. I will never allow anybody to oppress or be aggressive to another; for, then, I-would put his cheek to the ground and set my foot on the other cheek until he yields to the truth. After such severity, though, I will put my cheek to the ground for those who are virtuous and content.

"I will not levy any taxes on your products or on any of the booty Allah has bestowed upon you except what is due, and I will pledge not to expend it except where it should be expended. It is incumbent upon me to increase your grants and livelihoods and make available for you every means of defense, Allah willing. It is incumbent upon me not to throw you into jeopardy, nor confine you to front posts in war; and I pledge that if you go away on missions, I will be responsible for your families until you return to them.