Umar ibn al-Khattab

Umar ibn al-Khattab (584-644 CE) was the second of the four Rightly-Guided Caliphs and one of the most influential leaders in Islamic history. Born into the Adi clan of the Quraysh, Umar was a tall, physically imposing man known for his fierce temperament and commanding presence. Before Islam, he was a bitter opponent of the Muslims. His dramatic conversion, which occurred after he heard the recitation of Surah Taha, was a turning point for the early Muslim community. The Prophet gave him the title al-Faruq (the Distinguisher between truth and falsehood).

Umar was one of the Prophet's closest advisors, and several of his opinions were confirmed by subsequent Quranic revelations, including the station of Ibrahim as a place of prayer and the obligation of hijab. He fought in all the major battles and was instrumental in the selection of Abu Bakr as the first caliph. When Abu Bakr appointed him as his successor, Umar became caliph in 13 AH (634 CE).

Umar's ten-year caliphate (634-644 CE) witnessed the most rapid expansion in Islamic history. The Muslim state conquered the entirety of the Sasanian (Persian) Empire and took the Levant, Egypt, and parts of North Africa from the Byzantines. He established many of the fundamental institutions of Islamic governance: the Hijri calendar, the system of military registers (diwan), the appointment of judges, city planning, and a sophisticated treasury system. He was known for personally patrolling the streets of Medina at night to check on the welfare of his citizens. Umar was assassinated by Abu Lu'lu'ah, a Persian slave, while leading the Fajr prayer in 23 AH (644 CE). His caliphate is widely regarded as a golden age of justice and administration.