Umar Bin Khattab (RA) - The Greatest Muslim Ruler

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Umar bin Khattab, popularly known as Umar Farooq (the Distinguisher between truth and falsehood), was a companion (sahabi) and father-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was the second Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate after Abu Bakr (RA). He ruled for ten years and is known as one of the best Muslim rulers due to the expansion of the caliphate and his social security measures for the well-being of people. Michael Hart placed him in his famous book "The 100" for his achievements during the caliphate.

Life Before Islam

Umar was born in Makkah in 579 AD to the Banu Adi clan of Quraysh. The names of his father and mother were Khattab bin Nufayl and Hantama bint Hisham respectively. He was among the few literate people of Makkah who could read and write. He was tall, well-built, a good wrestler, and athlete. Like many other people of Quraysh, he became a merchant in his early life.

He was a strict opponent of Islam before his conversion. His attitude towards his Muslim slaves was harsh and uncompromising. He was among the worst enemies of Islam and was even ready to assassinate Muhammad (PBUH) to end Islam. 

Conversion to Islam

On a day in 616 AD, Umar intended to kill Muhammad (PBUH). He met his friend Naeem bin Abdullah on the way and expressed his intention. Naeem had also secretly embraced Islam. To prevent him from doing anything wrong, he told Umar that his sister and brother-in-law had also accepted Islam. 

He angrily reached his sister’s house and beat his brother-in-law (Saeed bin Zaid) and sister (Fatimah). But they refused to give up Islam. Their steadfastness made Umar recite a few verses of the Holy Qur’an. His heart changed after this recitation, and he accepted Islam before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 

Before that, Muhammad (PBUH) had prayed for the conversion of Umar bin Khattab or Amr bin Hisham (Abu Juhl). His conversion allowed the Muslims to pray openly for the first time due to his bravery and high status. 

Migration and Life in Madinah

When Muhammad (PBUH) allowed the Muslims to migrate towards Madinah in 622 AD, Umar (RA) also migrated. However, he did that openly in the daytime, contrary to other Muslims who left Makkah secretly.

He took part in all the major battles of Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq, battles against Jewish tribes, the Battle of Hunayn, etc. During the Battle of Tabuk, Umar (RA) gave half of his total wealth to the cause of Islam. 

Rule During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr

After the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Umar (RA) supported the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA) with devotion. He paved the way for his caliphate by ensuring the support of the majority of Muhajirun and Ansar. He also remained the advisor and right-hand man of Abu Bakr (RA) during his caliphate. 

Umar (RA) also played a role in the unity and stability of the Islamic Caliphate during this era. After seeing his ability, wisdom, and piousness, Abu Bakr nominated Umar (RA) as his successor and second Caliph of Islam. 

Umar (RA) As Caliph

The first Caliph, Abu Bakr (RA), died in 634 AD, and he appointed Umar (RA) the next Caliph before his death. Few people argued on this decision due to the strictness of Umar (RA), but Abu Bakr (RA) replied that the burden of the caliphate would make him soft. The decision later proved correct because Umar (RA) not only completed the conquests of Persia and Levent (Sham), but his internal reforms in administration and social justice strengthened the state. Due to these measures, it became one of the earliest welfare states in history.

Conquests

Khalid bin Waleed (RA) conquered parts of Iraq during the reign of Abu Bakr, and Umar continued the conquest of Persia. His military commanders finally captured mainland Persia in 644 AD, which ended the Sassanid Empire.

In 638 AD, Muslim armies captured the whole of the Levant from the Byzantines. It includes modern-day Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine/Israel, and Eastern Anatolia.

In 642 AD, Muslim commander Amr bin al-As (RA) conquered Egypt from the Byzantine Empire and ended their rule there. 

Reforms

Umar’s ten-year era was a golden period of internal prosperity due to his social and administrative reforms. He was the first to build a national army. Before that, men from different tribes would gather to fight a battle. He founded garrison cities (cantonments) of Basra and Kufa in Iraq. 

Umar established Bayt al-mal (treasury) in 641 AD and introduced social security for the elderly, poor, widows, disabled, and orphans, either Muslim or non-Muslim. He started the Islamic calendar (Hijri) from the migration of Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah. He also established a postal service. He ordered 80 lashes for alcoholic drinking and introduced punishment for targeting a woman’s modesty in poetry. 

He was more interested in the expansion of Islam than territorial gain. Due to this reason, the areas conquered by Umar are still Muslim-majority areas. Due to all these reforms, historians recognize him as one of the best administrators and founders of the welfare state. 

Martyrdom

On 3rd November 644 AD, a non-Muslim Persian slave, Abu Lulu Firuz, attacked Umar with a knife and wounded him. The attacker later committed suicide. Umar (RA) died on 26th Dhul Hijja 23 AH (7th November 644) after succumbing to his injuries. His grave is alongside Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the first Caliph Abu Bakr (RA). Persians living in Madinah devised the plan for Umar’s assassination to take revenge for the Muslim conquest of Persia. Before his martyrdom, Umar (RA) appointed a six-member committee to choose the next Caliph. The committee later selected Usman bin Affan (RA), and he became the third Caliph after Umar’s martyrdom. 

Conclusion

The above account clearly shows that Umar was a great ruler and reformer in human history. The impact of his military achievements was long-lasting, and his laws about social security are still actable. He received appreciation from Muslims and Western historians for his achievements.

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