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SAYYIDINA UMAR (Rady Allahu Anhu)
By: Hafiz Usman Munawwar
Sayyidina Umar ibn al-Khattab (Rady Allahu Anhu) was the second Khalifa of Islam. He became Khalifa after Sayyidina Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (Rady Allahu Anhu) passed away. Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) was Khalifa for 10 years. He was a very strict and powerful man and all his enemies were afraid of him. Even shaitaan was afraid of him. It has been stated in a Hadith by Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), “If Umar is walking on a street and shaitaan is coming from the opposite direction, shaitaan would take another street out of fear of him”.
Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) was given the title, al-Faruq, which means “ the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood”. This title was given to him by the tribe of Quraish who admired Sayyidina Umar’s (Rady Allahu Anhu) skills to solve problems. He was a very pious and righteous Muslim.
However, before he became a Muslim, he opposed the religion of Islam, and so was an enemy of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). An incident took place when he took a sword and went to kill the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and on his way a man told him that his sister and her husband became Muslims. On hearing this, Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) marched into his sister’s house and he heard Surah Taha from the Holy Qur’an being recited. He was so impressed after hearing Surah Taha that he went to the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). When he arrived, the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) was informed that Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) came to kill him but the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) still let him in. Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) then took the Shahadah and became Muslim in the blessed gathering of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and his Companions (Rady Allahu Anhum). He was the 40th man to accept Islam.
Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) led a very simple life. He gave half of his property to Islam. He also took part in all the battles with Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). His daughter, Sayyidatina Hafsa (Rady Allahu Anha), was the Prophet’s (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) wife. He also introduced Tarawih Prayers in congregation during Ramadan.
Islam spread far and wide during his time as a Khalifa. Hadrat Khalid bin Walid (Rady Allahu Anhu) was one of his greatest generals who conquered many parts of the world. It is said that if Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) were Khalifa for 10 more years, Islam would have spread all over the world.
Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu) passed away at the age of 63 and he was laid to rest beside the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and Sayyidina Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (Rady Allahu Anhu) in Madina al-Munawwarah. Even though Sayyidatina Aisha (Rady Allahu Anha) wanted to be laid to rest beside the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), she gave permission to Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu). This shows the greatness and importance of Sayyidina Umar (Rady Allahu Anhu).
Rabi‘ Awwal 1425, May 2004