Awe Inspiring Personality of Sayyiduna Umer Farooqe A'zam
Awe Inspiring Personality of Sayyiduna Umer Farooqe A'zam
Hazrat Umar Farooq رضی اللہ عنہ passed away in 644 CE after being attacked with a dagger during Salat-ul-Fajr by Abu Lulu Feeroz, a Persian fire worshipper. He succumbed to the fatal injury on the third day after the attack, embracing martyrdom at the blessed age of 63, leaving behind a lasting legacy of justice and reform.
Hazrat Umar Farooq رضی اللہ عنہ, also known as Umar ibn al Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ, was the second Caliph of Islam and one of the most influential and powerful Muslim rulers in history.
His tenure as Caliph of Islam marked a period of significant expansion and consolidation of the Islamic state, characterized by justice, administrative efficiency, and military success. Hazrat Umar Ibn Al Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ is widely revered for his contributions to the establishment and spread of Islam, as well as his profound impact on Islamic governance and jurisprudence.
Umar al Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ, second caliph of islam, was born in Mecca around 584 CE into the respected Quraysh tribe. His father, Khattab ibn Nufayl, was a prominent figure in the tribe, known for his wisdom and strength. Umar grew up in a society steeped in tribal traditions and pagan practices. Before his conversion to Islam, he was known for his physical power and strong will. His life took a transformative turn with his conversion to Islam.
The second caliph, Sayyiduna ‘Umar’s رضی اللہ عنہ patronymic name is ‘Abu Hafs’ and his title is ‘Farooq e Azam. According to a narration, in the sixth year of the proclamation of Prophethood, he was the 40th person to embrace Islam.
In fact, Omar bin Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ embraced Islam by virtue of the supplication made by the Beloved Prophet ﷺ ‑ By his accepting Islam the Muslims became very pleased and they got such a great support that the Noblest Prophet ﷺ offered Salah publicly in congregation with the Muslims inside the sacred Haram. He remained engaged in Islamic expeditions against wicked disbelievers being a majestic warrior.
Hazrat Umar Farooq رضی اللہ عنہ had a personality that disbelievers feared. Among the Umar ibn al-Khattab stories of strong faith and confidence, one was narrated by Hazrat Ali رضی اللہ عنہ. Read below!
Hazrat Ali کَرَّم اللہُ وَجْھَهُ الْکَرِیْم has said: No one except Sayyiduna ‘Umar Farooq-e-A’zam رضی اللہ عنہ openly migrated. When he رضی اللہ عنہ intended to migrate, he took a sword, hung bow on his shoulder, took a quiver of arrows in his hand and set out for Haram.
A group of Quraysh was present in the courtyard of blessed Ka’batullah. With great ease he رضی اللہ عنہ completed Tawaf after going around seven times and offered Salah comfortably. He رضی اللہ عنہ then went to the groups of unbelievers one by one, stood there and said: Your faces have been disgraced. The one who wants his mother to mourn, wife to become a widow and children to become orphans can fight me after getting out of Haram. (Usd-ul-Ghaabah, vol. 4, pp. 163)
Umar's رضی اللہ عنہ conversion to Islam in 616 CE was a pivotal moment for the nascent Muslim community. His embrace of the new faith was marked by his bold declaration of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which significantly bolstered the morale and strength of the Muslims. He رضی اللہ عنہ became one of the closest companions of the Prophet ﷺ, participating in key battles such as Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq. His wisdom and courage earned him a central role in the early Islamic community, where he served as a trusted advisor and enforcer of justice.
Despite ruling over a vast and powerful empire, the Commander of the Faithful, Umar Farooq رضی اللہ عنہ lifestyle was far removed from the ostentatious opulence and hedonism of other rulers. Preferring to live like an ordinary citizen, he led a simple life void of riches, luxury, and extravagance.
During his trip to Syria, when he رضی اللہ عنہ reached Aylah, his shirt had torn from the back due to the long journey. So, he رضی اللہ عنہ gave it to the local governor to wash and repair. The governor had it washed and patched, but also had a new shirt sewn, and gifted it to him. When he رضی اللہ عنہ saw the new shirt, he passed his hand over it and then wore his old, patched shirt, adding that ‘This shirt of mine absorbs more perspiration in comparison to the new one,’ (Tareekh al-Tabari, vol. 4, p. 64).
Following the demise of the first Caliph, Abu Bakr رضی اللہ عنہ, in 634 CE, Umar رضی اللہ عنہ ascended to the Caliphate. His ten-year reign as Caliph was distinguished by remarkable administrative reforms and effective governance.
Umar رضی اللہ عنہ established a structured bureaucracy, creating administrative divisions and appointing governors to oversee different regions. His leadership was characterized by a commitment to justice and accountability, ensuring that the rights of all citizens were upheld, irrespective of their social status or religion. Under his rule, the Islamic state expanded rapidly, with conquests in Persia, the Levant, and Egypt.
Umar ibn Al Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ contributions to the Islamic state were numerous and far-reaching. He رضی اللہ عنہ introduced administrative divisions, known as provinces, to better manage the growing empire. He رضی اللہ عنہ developed public welfare systems, including stipends for the poor, pensions for the elderly, and support for orphans and widows.
One of his most enduring legacies was the establishment of the Islamic calendar (Hijri), which remains in use to this day. Additionally, Umar رضی اللہ عنہ made significant contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, setting precedents that would influence future generations.
He contributed in all Islamic campaigns and in all strategic decisions of war and peace headed by the Noblest Prophet ﷺ as a faithful minister and comrade. The first caliph, Ameer-ul-Mu`mineen, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq رضی اللہ عنہ nominated Sayyiduna Farooq e Azam رضی اللہ عنہ as the caliph after him. He executed all the responsibilities of caliphate marvelously and proved to be the worthy successor of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ.
Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab رضی اللہ عنہ was known for his exemplary character and strong leadership qualities. He was a paragon of justice, often patrolling the streets at night to ensure the welfare of his subjects. His humility was evident in his simple lifestyle and his willingness to accept criticism.
Umar's رضی اللہ عنہ leadership was marked by his firm yet compassionate approach, always striving to uphold the principles of Islam. He maintained strong relationships with other companions of the Prophet ﷺ, often seeking their counsel in matters of governance.
Hazrat Umar رضی اللہ عنہ passed away in 644 CE when he was martyred by a Persian. The wicked disbeliever named Abu Lulu Feeroz (a fire worshipper) attacked Sayyiduna Farooq e Azam with a dagger during Salat-ul-Fajr. He رضی اللہ عنہ succumbed to the fatal injury and embraced martyrdom on the third day of the attack. At the time of martyrdom his blessed age was 63.
Despite his sudden death, Umar's رضی اللہ عنہ impact on the Muslim community and the broader world was profound and lasting. His legacy is remembered for his unparalleled contributions to Islamic governance, justice, and society. The principles he established continue to inspire and guide Muslims around the world.
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