A Brief Biography Of Hazrat Umar (RA)

Hazrat Umar (RA) is considered one of the best role models for Muslims from different aspects.
All the roles he undertook in his life are an ideal example for Muslims of every generation. The
lines below give a brief biography of Hazrat Umar (RA).

Early Life:
Hazrat Umar (RA) was the son of Khattab. He was initially a non-Muslim but converted to Islam
later. After his becoming Muslim, he was given the title of “Al-Farooq” meaning the one who
distinguishes the right from wrong. His conversion to Islam is also one of the most remarkable
events in Islamic history.

Acceptance of Islam
Despite the combination of his flawless intellectual and physical talent he possessed,
unfortunately Umar had not accepted the Message of Allah SWT. He opposed the Hazrat
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬and other Muslims to the degree that he even offered his services to kill) the
Prophet ‫( ﷺ‬God forbid when the Qureyshi tribes gathered in 6th year after first revelation.
When he was on his way to executer this expedition, he came to know about embracing of
Islam by his sister and brother and law from Sa`d bin Abi Waqqas. He went straight to his sister,
Fatimah`s house where they were being taught Quran by Khabab (R.A). He was greatly moved
by the Holy verses and approved them as the Word of God. On hearing Umar`s (R.A) agreement
with the teachings of the Holy Book, Khabab told him that he had heard the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬asking
the Almighty about granting the companionship of either Umar or Abu Jahl. Then, he (R.A)
asked where the Rasulullah ‫ ﷺ‬was, and finally embraced Islam at the hands of Hazrat
Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. The other Muslims shouted with joy at this happening as they knew that it
would significantly strengthen the believers` force against the disbelievers. The Apostle ‫ ﷺ‬of
God has been narrated by Abdullah (R.A):
“We have become mighty since ‘Umar became Muslim.” (Bukhari)
So, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬expressed His feelings over Umar`s (R.A) inclusion in Islam by honoring him
as a great strengthening factor in the force of the Muslims.

Getting The Title of Al-Farooq

Before the inclusion of Hazrat Umar (R.A) in the circle of Islam, Muslims could not offer Salah
publicly due to fear of forceful chiefs of the Qureyshi tribes. But soon after his identification
with the Religion of Peace, the believers got the courage to come openly in front of them as
they knew no one would dare to interfere as long as Umar (R.A) was there. He (R.A) was the
one who first suggested the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬that they should perform salat in the Haram (the
Holy Kaaba), where the Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬of Allah for the first time lead the Muslim prayer. Due to
such courageous proposal of Hazrat Umar (R.A), he was given the title of Al-Farooq by Hazrat
Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬, which means “the one who distinguishes between the right and the wrong”.
Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (R.A):
“Indeed, Allah has placed truth upon Umar`s tongue and heart.” (Tirmidhi)
No doubt Hazrat Umar (R.A) duly deserved to be identified with the name of Al-Farooq as
observed in the above mentioned Hadith.

Migration From Makkah To Madina

In 622 A.D, Allah SWT ordered the Muslims to emigrate from Makkah immediately so that they
could be saved from oppressions of the Makkan disbelievers. It was the time of great fear and
dread as Muslims thought that they would be killed if non believers had come to know about
their leaving. Everyone was migrating towards Madina quietly apart from the brave Umar (R.A),
who after performing Namaz in Kaaba, openly declared his endeavor in front of all and invited
them to stop him if they could dare to do so. The Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬is reported to have said
regarding the incomparable confidence of Hazrat Umar (R.A) in the following words:
“I see that devil either from humans or jinn, runs away from Umar.” (Tirimzi)
The above stated Hadith indicates the immense magnitude of fearlessness of Hazrat Umar (R.A)
in terms of his great persistence over religious faith.

Role as Prophet`s ‫ ﷺ‬Main Counselor

As requested, Allah SWT made Hazrat Umar (R.A) the closest friend of Rasulullah ‫ ﷺ‬who stood
by Him throughout his life. Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A):
“O Allah, strengthen Islam with Abu Jahl bin Hisham or Umar bin Khattab.’ In the morning Umar
went to the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and embraced Islam.’” (Tirmidhi)
He proved to be a great counselor in many complex matters, and the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬agreed to
his ideas on many times. His prudence was due to his exceptional qualities of problem solving
abilities and knowledge about the history of the Arabs.
“If the knowledge of ‘Umar was put on one side of a scale, and the knowledge of the people on the
other side of the scale, ‘Umar’s knowledge would weigh more.” (Al-Mustadrak)
Regarding the great rank of Hazrat Umar (R.A) in Islam, the Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬of Allah has been
reported by Uqbah bin Amir to have said:
“If there were to be a prophet after me, indeed he would be Umar, son of Khattab.” (Tirmidhi)
The abovementioned Hadith shows that Sayyidina Farooq e Azam (R.A) had such great
personality characteristics that he was even counted as near to the prophets.
All of this discussion tells us that Hazrat Umar (R.A) was a great adviser and guide to Rasulullah
‫ ﷺ‬in solving different multifaceted issues.

Election:
Before his passing away, Hazrat Abu-Bakar (RA) after consultation with other Sahaba, elected
Hazrat Umar (RA) to take charge as Caliph after his passing away. Thus, he became the Second
Caliph of Muslims.

Umar (RA) as Caliph:

All the four Caliph are renowned for one or another accomplishment. Hazrat Umar (RA) is
recognized for his discipline, administration, and the conquests that took place during his reign.
During his reign, the Islamic empire stretched to Persia, Rome and even brought Egypt under
the Islamic flag. During his Khilaafat, he brought reforms and worked extensively on the welfare
of his subjects.
After the death of the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬, Umar (R.A) was in so much sorrow that he could not believe
it. Then, Abu Bakr (R.A) comforted him and made him realize that Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬was also a
human. Then, a dispute rose whether who would take authority after the passage of Hazrat
Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. Thereupon, Hazrat Umar (R.A) addressed the Muslims about great character of
Sayyidina Siddeeq e Akbar (R.A), reminded them about his closeness to Rasulullah ‫ ﷺ‬and
suggested to make him the first Khalifah (Caliph). After death of Abu Bakr (R.A), Umar (R.A)
took over the Caliphate and became second Khalifah. His worthiness to be held as the Ameer of
Momineen can be validated from the following Hadith in which he has been mentioned as one
of the most righteous persons.
“Follow after me from my companions Abu-Bakr and ‘Umar.” (Tirmidhi)
During his time, Hazrat Umar (R.A) acted very astutely, made the social system just through
Zakah (Charity) to the extent that there did not exist even a single beggar on streets, set up
courts of justice, made Bait ul Maal (Public Treasury) for fair keeping and provision of funds,
established postal services, division of larger territories into provinces for equal distribution of
resources, allocation of stipends for minorities in conquered areas, starting “Taraweeh” during
Ramadan, enlargement of the Masjid ul Haram, the first Muslim ruler to discover Isra, where
the ascension of the Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬took place at Jerusalem. He was also the one who made
the Muslim Calendar by taking suggestions of others and counted it from the migration year.
There are many other great achievements of Hazra t Umar (R.A) during his reign which majorly
include the expansion of Muslim state to the far off places well beyond the boundaries of the
Arabia, including the conquests of Damascus, Iraq, Iran, Rome, Persia, and Jerusalem, Egypt etc.
The Muslim control had expanded more or less 22, 00,000 square miles under the command of
Farooq e Azam. He ran all the matters with such fairness that once in a sermon he was accused
of having taken two pieces of cloth from Bait ul Maal, but he cleared the matter well by stating
that he was given the extra cloth by his son Abdullah.

Conquest over Romans:

In the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakkar (RA) Muslim army laid siege of Damascus. However, after his
passing away, when Hazrat Umar (RA) took the charge,t he Muslim army under the leadership
of Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (RA) conquered Damascus. The Governor of the city surrendered and
a treaty was signed.

Appointing of New Commander:

Muslim armies were conquering areas leaps and bounds under the leadership of Hazrat Khalid
bin Waleed (RA). Seeing this, Hazrat Umar (RA) changed the commander and made, Hazrat Abu
Ubaida bin Jarrah (RA) the new commander of Muslim army. The reason why he did this was,
because he was afraid that Muslims will start associating all the victories with Hazrat Khalid bin
Waleed (RA) instead of thinking them from Allah. Secondly, all such victory and recognition
might have brought arrogance in Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (RA), therefore, he called him back,
and Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed (RA) gladly obeyed his decision.

Victory over Persians:

After several sieges and defeats at the hands of Persians, Muslims at last achieved victory over
Persians during the reign of Hazrat Umar (RA). He had to send several reinforcements to ensure
that the Muslim army conquered the army of Rustum. Muslim army defeated Persians in 14
A.h.

Jerusalem Conquest:
In his reign, Muslims also conquered Jerusalem. The Christians of the city decided to accept
defeat against the siege of Muslim army. The ruler of the city gave the keys to Hazrat Umar (RA)
personally, and a treaty was signed that guaranteed the safety of citizens of the city.
Reforms:
Hazrat Umar (RA) brought numerous reforms in the governance during his reign. Some of the
major reforms introduced by Hazrat Umar (RA) are:

1. The establishment of Bait-ul-Maal (State’s treasury for people) was one of his major
achievements.
2. A proper Judicial system was established, where Magistrates and Judges would have
courts and would decide on cases.
3. Army headquarters were established for protection of country.
4. Canals and roads were constructed.
5. The Imams, Teachers and Moazzins were given pay in schools and Mosques.

6. Prisons and Police station were built.

7. The first Islamic Lunar calendar was established and the Hijrah system was initiated.
8. Population census was made.
9. Welfare homes and orphanages were built.

Assasination:
Hazrat Umar (RA) was assassinated by a Persian non-Muslim named Firoz. He stabbed Hazrat
Umar (RA), as a result of which he passed away three days later on 1st of Muharram.
In short, Hazrat Umar (RA) is the role model for every Muslim. He was an epitome of justice,
principles, piety, humility and character. He performed all his roles whether personal or
professional with due diligence and not a single example can be put forward that shows that he
performed his role less than perfect.
May Allah Almighty provide us with the heart to live life the way Hazrat Umar (RA) lived and
become a better Muslim. Ameen!
The end