Umar ibn al-Khattab: strength and justice

8 min read

Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, was the second caliph of Islam, after Abu Bakr. He was known for his strength and honesty, and above all for his justice. He is widely known by the title al-Faruq, usually explained as the one who separates truth from falsehood.

From opponent to believer

In Makkah, Umar was at first a fierce opponent of Islam. The companion Sa'id ibn Zayd, may Allah be pleased with him, later recalled that Umar had once tied him up to force him to leave Islam, before Umar himself became Muslim (Sahih al-Bukhari 3862). The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, made a dua about him:

O Allah! Honor Islam through the most dear of these two men to you: Through Abu Jahl or through 'Umar bin Al-Khattab.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3681 (hasan sahih gharib, al-Tirmidhi; sahih, al-Albani)

Allah answered that dua with Umar. You may hear longer, detailed stories about exactly how he became Muslim; this lesson keeps to what is firmly established. When the news spread, a crowd gathered at his house, and he faced real danger (Sahih al-Bukhari 3864-3865). He did not turn back. The companion Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "We have remained strong ever since Umar accepted Islam." (Sahih al-Bukhari 3684).

If you once opposed Islam, or feel that your past is too heavy, Umar's story is a mercy for you: the man who fought Islam became one of its greatest servants.

Truth on his tongue

The Prophet said: "Indeed, Allah has put the truth upon the tongue and in the heart of ‘Umar." (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 3682, graded sahih). He also said to Umar:

By the One in Whose hand my soul is, whenever the devil sees you walking on a path, he follows a path other than yours.
Sahih al-Bukhari 3683 and Sahih Muslim 2396

Yet with all his strength, Umar was quick to accept correction. Once a man insulted him, and Umar was about to punish him. Someone recited the verse in which Allah tells the Prophet to show forgiveness and turn away from the ignorant, and Umar stopped at once. The companion Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said that "he always adhered strictly to the Book of Allah" (Sahih al-Bukhari 4642).

Justice as caliph

Umar led the Muslims for about ten years. The Muslim lands grew wide under his leadership, but he is remembered most for how carefully he protected people's rights. Here are a few authentic examples:

When the people of Kufa complained about their governor, the senior companion Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, may Allah be pleased with him, Umar replaced him and sent men to ask about him in every mosque of the city. Most people praised Sa'd, and Umar later made clear that he had not removed him for weakness or dishonesty (Sahih al-Bukhari 755 and 3700).
He set a yearly allowance for the early emigrants to Madinah, but gave his own son Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, less, because his son had emigrated as a child with his parents rather than by his own choice (Sahih al-Bukhari 3912).
A few days before his death, he was still checking that the tax on the farmland of Iraq was not more than the people could bear, and he said that if Allah kept him alive, the widows of Iraq would never need anyone to support them (Sahih al-Bukhari 3700).
In his last advice, he asked the next caliph to keep the covenant with the non-Muslims living under Muslim protection, to defend them, and not to burden them beyond their ability (Sahih al-Bukhari 3700).

His end

Umar used to pray: "O Allah, grant me martyrdom in Your cause, and let my death be in the city of Your Messenger." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1890). Allah answered him. He was stabbed while leading the dawn prayer in Madinah, and he died of his wounds. Even then he thought of others: he asked how much he owed and made sure his debts would be paid. He was buried beside the Prophet and Abu Bakr (Sahih al-Bukhari 3700).

What did Umar do when the people of Kufa complained about their governor?

Remember

Umar's strength served the truth. He was firm against wrongdoing, quick to accept correction, and careful with the rights of every person in his care, Muslim or not.

Next, you will meet Bilal ibn Rabah, the first muezzin, and see what his story means for you.

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