لَوْ كَانَ بَعْدِي نَبِيٌّ لَكَانَ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ
Narrated ‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir:
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If there was to have a Prophet after me, it would have been ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3686
Hazrat Umar Al-Farooq) holds a very special position when it comes to khulfa e rashideen. It’s said when Azaan in Makkha was called out in open. The Non Muslims of makkah said “Either Umar has died of Umar has accepted Islam”. Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) was known for his Justice. His caliphate is known for establishing justice and administrative reforms.
Hazrat Umar’s (R.A.) caliphate spanned over 2.2 million square miles (approx. 5.7 million square kilometers) at its peak. He also holds the Title of Fatha E Iran (conqueror of Iran) . His Caliphate includes Iraq , Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Palestine, and LebanonArmenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan Parts of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan. He ruled for 10 years and whole of the 10 years were full of victories and happiness.
Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) was known for his strengthen. His role in wars during the times of prophet (saw) is well documented and well known to all. There’s always an allegation levelled against Hazrat Umar (ra) that he ran away from a battle field and he’s a sinner (Astaghfirullah). The whole story is narrated in Surah Al-Imran . The surah states that what circumstances made them leave the field and also clearly mentions that Allah forgave them for their actions. When Quran is witness to they being forgiven, who are those who level allegations against them hold them accountable for what Allah has already forgiven them? They must analysis their actions and think that are they not going against the Quran. It’s not a Hadith but it has been mentioned in Quraan and that to clearly. When we understand those who level these baseless allegations we come to know that it’s only the hate they have for Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) and nothing else.
Umar (ra) who ruled for 10 years over 2.2 million sq miles. Wasn’t like the rulers of today. A guy from the Roman Empire came to meet Hazrat Umar (ra), he had come with a message from the ruler. He was expecting to meet Umar (ra) in some lavish palace with thousands of armed men guarding him but he found Hazrat Umar (ra) resting his back with a hump of dried mud. He was amazed to see ruler of 2.2 million sq miles in this condition. None of the caliphs left any wealth behind. There’s no property of any caliph found anywhere. They were the true rulers not the ones who want to earn money.
It’s said when shaitan used to see Umar he used to change his route. Where Hazrat Umar (ra) was known for his angry personality he was very polite when he was asked for accountable. On one Friday when Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) was about to climb up on pulpit he was stopped by a companion of prophet (saw) and he said to Umar “Umar before you start delivering sermon. Tell me how did you get a coat stitched out of the cloth that you distributed yesterday. Because what we got it isn’t enough to get a coat out of it”. Hazrat Umar’s son Abdullah Bin Umar (ra) was also in present there. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked him to speak. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (ra) said “I gave my piece of cloth to my father and that’s how he made a coat of it”. After he completed, Hazrat Umar (ra) asked “Should I now proceed “. The man who asked the question was satisfied with the answer he asked Umar to proceed. This was how generous was Hazrat Umar (ra) when he was Caliph. He was harsh when it was for values and justice but he was a generous man when it was about accountable. Unlike the rulers of today who only want to be treated as kings and not held accountable.
Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) used to inspect markets by himself. Once he was inspecting camels he saw a camel healthier than others. Hazrat Umar (ra) enquired about who’s camel this is . And upon confirming it came out to be of his son Abdullah bin Umar (ra). Seeing it Hazrat Umar (ra) got angry and said “Remember when you sell it take your amount and deposit the remaining in the state treasure ”. He Said to his son “Your camel was allowed to eat more because you are my son. And I won’t let that happen ”. This is how Hazrat Umar (ra) used to run his Caliphate. There was not even an iota of chance for any injustice. The soul purpose of Hazrat Umar (ra) was to make Allah Happen. Hazrat Abubakar (ra), Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Uthaman (ra) or Hazrat Ali(ra) has any desire for becoming Rulers because they knew what it means to become a ruler.
Hazrat Umar Al Farooq (ra) was known for his bravery he wrote to Ruler of Persia . In the letter he wrote “I am not requesting you, I am ordering you” . He wasn’t afraid of anyone other than Allah. He wrote to To the River Nile and the Nile began to flow steadily, permanently ending the custom.
There are narrations that suggest Hazrat Umar (ra) had dispute with Hazrat Fatima (ra) but all those narrations are weak they have weak chain of narrations and can’t be trusted. The narrator found in the chain of narrations is termed as liar hence the narration can’t be relied on.
In 644, Umar was assassinated by a Persian slave named Abu Lu’lu’a Firuz. Abu Lu’lu’a, a skilled craftsman from Persia, stabbed the Caliph with a poisoned double-bladed dagger while Umar was leading the morning prayer in Medina. Umar died from his wounds days later, and the attacker took his own life.
Abu lu’lu’a Firuz martyred Hazrat Umar (ra) over tax dispute.
Raqif makhdoomi is a law student and a human rights activist.
