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Umar ibn al-Khattab, al-Farooq (in Arabic, عمر بن الخطاب) (c. 581 - November, 644), sometimes referred to as Umar Farooq or just as Omar or Umar, was the second caliph of Islam (634-644). He is regarded by Sunnis as one of the first four Khulfa-e-Rashidun (in Persian and Urdu, خلفأے راشدین) (or "Rightly Guided Caliphs"). The Shi'a, however, regard him as an unprincipled usurper.
The Sunni View
His early life
Umar was born in Mecca around 581 to the Adi clan of the Quraish tribe. He is said to have belonged to a middle class family. He was literate, which was uncommon in those times, and he was also well known for his physical strength, being a champion wrestler.
After his conversion to Islam, he remembered with shame and regret one action he committed while he was still a "pagan": he killed his young daughter. Female infanticide was an accepted practice among the Arabs. He is quoted as saying:
"I cried when I remembered digging a hole and burying my daughter. Whilst I was putting her in, she reached up and brushed dirt from my beard"
Before embracing Islam
When Muhammad first declared his message of Islam, Umar resolved to defend the traditional religion of the Quraish (regarded by Muslims as idolatry). Umar was most adamant in opposing Muhammad and very prominent in persecuting the Muslims.
Lubaynah was a slave girl of Umar. She accepted Islam, and Umar would beat her mercilessly until he was tired. He would then say, "I have only stopped beating you, because I am tired." She would say. "May God treat you in the same way". He asked her to renounce Islam, but she stuck to her faith.ref
Zinnira was another slave of Umar. One day when Abu Jahl was visiting Umar he took it upon himself to beat her. Zinnira was beaten so harshly that she lost her eyesight. ref
Embracing Islam
One day, the Quraysh in a meeting called for somebody to volunteer himself for the assassination of Muhammad. Umar offered himself for this job, at which everybody exclaimed: "Surely, you can do it, 'Umar!" (ref)
On his way he met Sad ibn Abi Waqqas who asked where he was going. Umar said: "I am after finishing Muhammad."
Sa'ad: "But do not you see that Banu Hashim, Banu Zuhrah and Banu Abde Munaf are likely to kill you in retaliation?"
Umar, upset at the warning, said: "It seems that you also have renounced the religion of your forefathers. Let me settle with you first."
So saying, Umar drew out his sword. Sa'ad announcing his Islam, also took out his sword. They were about to start a duel when Sa'ad said: "You had better first set your own house in order. Your sister and brother-in-law both have accepted Islam."
He went to her and found her reciting verses of the Qur'an. He became infuriated and gave her a slap which caused a bloody wound. His sister did not lose spirit. He went to meet Muhammad.(ref)
Muhammad had received information of this and he stood up and took hold of Umars collar saying, "Umar, why do you not desist from this action? Will you not refrain lest Allah reveals that information about you that He has already revealed about Waleed ibn Mugheera?" (ref)
That day Umar converted to Islam. The Muslims were helped by Umar's addition to the rank of Muslims.
After embracing Islam
Umar was part of the first emigration (Hijra) to Yathrib (renamed Medinat al Nabi, or simply Medina shortly thereafter) in 622 C.E. (also known as year 1 A.H., Anno Hegirae, in the Islamic calendar, which was instituted by Umar in 638). He was one of the companions, or close associates of Muhammad.
Sunnis claim that The Prophet once said that "Satan amongst men and Jinn flee from Umar". Once a hypocrite amongst the Muslims had a fight with a Jew. It is said that the Jew knew that he was right and that Muhammad would favour him. So he took the case to the prophet. As the Jew had thought, the prophet decided that the Jew was right. So the Jew was favored. The Muslim hypocrite did not like it. He took the case to Umar. When the Jewish man narrated how the prophet had made the judgement, Umar was so enraged with the Muslim hypocrite he told him to wait and went inside and came back with his sword and chopped his head off saying if you did not accept Muhammad's decision then you are not a Muslim, you are a hypocrite. From that day Umar Sunnis claim that Umar was given the title "Al Faruq". It means one who can distinguish between the good and bad.
When war broke out between Mecca and Medina; Umar accompanied in several of the battles.
Hafsa
Hafsa bint Umar, the daughter of Umar, was originally married to Khunais bin Hudhaifa, a convert originally from the Banu Sahm clan of Quraish. Although he survived the Battle of Badr, he was killed at Uhud, leaving Hafsa a widow.
It was at this point that Umar seeked to find a husband for her. He approached Abu Bakr, thinking his dear friend would have no problem marrying his daughter. However, it became evident to Umar that Abu Bakr was not interested in marrying Hafsa, so feeling dejected, he approached Uthman with the same offer. Uthman too did not express any interest in the offer. It was at this point that Umar went to Muhammad to complain about the rejection of his friends. Muhammad's reply did more than just assure Umar, when he said, "Hafsa will marry one better than Uthman and Uthman will marry one better than Hafsa." Upon realizing that none other than Muhammad wanted to marry Hafsa, Umar returned to Abu Bakr brimming with happiness.
Realizing what had happened, Abu Bakr let Umar in on the secret by saying, "The Holy Prophet had spoken to me about Hafsa, and as such I could not accept your proposal. But for that it would have been a great honour and pleasure for me to agree to your proposal.". Shias do not regard the last part as authentic.
In 625, Umar's daughter Hafsa was married to Muhammad. Muhammad's household was not always peaceful as the wives were in two groups. Umars daughter was included in the group that troubled Muhammad. Umar refused to take his daughter's side, but spoke sharply to her.
- "Hafsa, the (news) has reached me that you cause Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) trouble. You know that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) does not love you, and had I not been (your father) he would have divorced you." (On hearing this) she wept bitterly. (ref)
Around Muhammad's death
Muhammad became ill on a in the year 632 and his health took a serious turn on a Thursday. He summoned his companions and announced that he wanted to write a will. It is reported that Muhammad asked for writing materials to write a statement that would prevent the Muslim nation from going astray for ever. The first person to reply was Umar, answering that ther is no need for a will, arguing that Muhammad was ill and that Umar had the Quran which was sufficient for him. In another report it is stated that the first person replying, Umar by implication, said that Muhammad was delirious and talking non-sense. This reply caused a great commotion resulting in Muhammad rebuking Umar for calling him ill and sending him and his partisians out of the house. When ibn Abbas recalled Umar's behavior sixty years later it agonized him so gravely that it caused him to cry. This event is the source of much controversy between Shias and Sunnis, since it is claimed that Umar prevented Muhammad from confirming in writing that Ali was the chosen successor(ref 1, 2)
Two days later, at Saturday, Umar, Abu Bakr, Uthman and others, were sent away with a military detachment heading to Syria, under the Command of a 18 yeas old man named Usama ibn Zaid. Ali and many others from the clan where ordered to stay in Medina. Umar protested to this decision, causing Muhammad to forbid them to abandon Zaid's detachment. They left, but camped outside Medina and returned the next day.
Two days after that, on Monday, Muhammad died.
Later, after Abu Bakr came into power, Abu Bakr ordered Usama's dispatchment to be sent as orderwd to Syria. Umar demanded that Usama was to be replaced, but Abu Bakr refused to do so. (ref)
After Muhammad
When Umar heard the news of Muhammad's death, he rushed to Muhammad and threatened to kill anybody that said that Muhammad had died. It is said that he initially refused to believe that Muhammad had died and was in a state of despair. See Succession to Muhammad for further discussion. He was calmed by Abu Bakr's famous statement who said, "If anyone worshipped Muhammad, then know that Muhammad is dead, but if anyone worshipped Allah, then Allah is living and does not die." He then recited the words from the Qur'an: "Muhammad is but a messenger; messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. If, then, he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heel?"
Abu Bakr took power after Muhammad. During Abu Bakr's short reign as caliph, Umar was one of his chief advisors. Abu Bakr nominated Umar as his successor prior to his death in 634. He was confirmed in the office thereafter. Ali ibn Abu Talib, whom many believed should have been the first caliph, was again passed over. Sunnis claim that Ali swore allegiance to Umar and that this validates Umar's rule.
Umar's Caliphate
During Umar's reign, the Islamic empire grew at an unprecedented rate, taking Mesopotamia and parts of Persia from the Sassanids (effectively ending that empire), and taking Egypt, Palestine, Syria, North Africa and Armenia from the Byzantines. Many of these conquests followed the watershed Battle of Yarmuk in 636 when a Muslim army of 40,000 decisively defeated a Byzantine force numbering 120,000, permanently ending Byzantine rule south of Asia Minor.
In 637, after a prolonged siege of Jerusalem, the Muslims took the city. Umar was to have entered the city in triumph, but, as the story goes, he was such a humble man that he entered the city on foot, with his servant upon his mount. He was given the key to the city by the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Sophronius, and invited to pray at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Umar chose to pray some distance from the Church, so as not to endanger its status as a Christian temple. His circumspection was proven farsighted when fifty-five years later, the Mosque of Umar was constructed on the site where he prayed. His speech after the surrender of Jerusalem can be seen here: Umar's address after Jerusalem.
Umar undertook many administrative reforms and closely oversaw public policy, establishing an advanced administration for newly conquered lands, including several new ministries and bureaucracies, as well as ordering a census of all the Muslim territories. During his reign, the garrison cities of Basra and Kufa were founded. In 638 he extended and renovated the Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Mosque of the Prophet in Medina. He also began the process of codifying Islamic law.
Some hadith claim that Umar married a 5:th woman named Umm Khulthum in 638. See Umm Khultum bint Ali for more information.
One day, Umar declared in public:
- "Anyone who pays more for their dowry than what the Prophet used to pay, will put the excess amount in the Public Treasury."
A woman from the Quraish came to him and said:
- "O commander of the Believers, which have more right to be followed, the Book of Allah or your statement?"
He answered:
- "The Book of Allah."
So she told him,
- "You have just prohibited the people from giving the excess amount from the dowry, but Allah Taalah has revealed in His Book: "And if you have given them a geat amount of gold as dower, take not the least bit of it back." ?" ...
Therefore Umar said a few times:
- "The Woman is correct and Umar is mistaken."
He addresses people again, and said:
- "Verily a man may do whatever he sees fit with his wealth."
(ref)
Umar was known for his simple lifestyle. Rather than adopt the pomp and display affected by the rulers of the time, he continued to live much as he had when Muslims were poor and persecuted.
Death
Umar died in 644, the victim of an assassin's dagger. Umar's killer (Abu-Lu'lu'ah) was a Persian slave who was angered by a personal quarrel with Umar; he stabbed the Caliph six times as Umar led prayers in the Masjid al Nabawi mosque in Medina.
Umar died two days later, and was buried alongside Muhammad and Abu Bakr. Uthman ibn Affan was elected as his successor.
Shia point of view
While Sunnis regard Umar in high esteem and respect his place as one of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, Shi'ites hold an opposing perspective of him. Shi'ites do not view him as a legitimate leader of the Muslim people and feel that he, as well as Abu Bakr and Uthman, conspired to usurp power from Ali.
His early life
Shias point out that Umar was a idol worshiper, and that this disqualifies him for being a leader for all Muslims. In other words, a man designated to protect and guide all Muslims at least must be pure enough to refrain from the grossest sin in Islam. The Shia view also holds against him that he was also able to kill his own daughter in cold blood.
During Muhammads life
Umar joined the ranks of the Muslims just at the time the persecution against them hardened; while not denying that he helped, the Shia thus feel the extent of the help is debatable.
Umar's strength is not to be applauded because he abused it repeatedly. For example, he beat people in a mosque and threatened Muslims, both in front of Muhammad and against his wishes. Not to mention what Abu Huraira had to keep up with.
Also, Umar publicly and loudly questioned Muhammad's authority at Hudaibya. After been given an answer and not being content with it, he went to Abu Bakr and again questioned Muhammad's authority. (ref)
Shias do not see him as a valiant man at all even though he was strong. They contend that he was a coward and argue that there are no reports of Umar hurting anyone or even getting hurt in any battle. In fact, he was notorius for not entering combat. Shias cite his conduct when the battle of Uhud went awry and rumors of Muhammad's death started. Umar fled the battle and discouraged people from entering it again, arguing that there was no point fighting since Muhammad was dead. In the battle of the Trench, he did not accept Amr's challenge and in Khaybar, Umar did not direct his troops against the fortress. In all three cases, Ali did the opposite.
Hafsa
Umars behavior towards his daughter is another example of his brute character. His fatherly advice to Hafsa in her time of despair is unworthy of any father, and especially of a protector and guide of the Muslim nation.
Around Muhammads demise
The despair felt by Umar at the time of Muhammad's death was not genuine, according to his Shi'ite detractors. Shi'ites insist that there was no despair, only threats aimed to delay matters so that his friend and confederate Abu Bakr could marshal support and seize the leadership of the community before Ali was confirmed as the succesor. As for Ali's allegiance to Abu Bakr's rule, this too was made up to support Abu Bakr's claim to power.
Shias refuse the notion and claim that Ali simply did not make it an public issue and that it proves that Ali valued the peace and unity of the community above his own rights.
After Muhammad
Umar was not given the title of "Al Faruq" as this was a title given to Ali, but rather Umar later took that title for himself.
Ali is quoted in Nahj al-Balagha as saying:
- I watched the plundering of my inheritance till the first one (Abu Bakr) went his way but handed over the Caliphate to Ibn al-Khattab after himself.
(Then he quoted al-A`sha's verse):
- My days are now passed on the camel's back (in difficulty) while there were days (of ease) when I enjoyed the company of Jabir's brother Hayyan.
(Implying the contrast between the present and the time of the Prophet)
- It is strange that during his (Abu Bakr) lifetime he wished to be released from the caliphate but he confirmed it for the other one (Umar) after his death. No doubt these two shared its udders strictly among themselves.
Umar's Caliphate
Ali is further quoted in the same speech:
This one (Umar) put the Caliphate in a tough enclosure where the utterance was haughty and the touch was rough. Mistakes were in plenty and so also the excuses therefore. One in contact with it was like the rider of an unruly camel. If he pulled up its rein the very nostril would be slit, but if he let it loose he would be thrown. Consequently, by Allah people got involved in recklessness, wickedness, unsteadiness and deviation.
Shias claim that Umar's marriage to Ali's daughter is a fabrication, with the only goal being to put forth that Ali and Umar where friends.
Shias argue that Umar was ill versed in Islamic law in contrast to Ibn Abbas and Ali, which is shown by these examples:
- * Forbiding of Tayammum, even though its in the Quran and he was reminded of it by Ammar ibn Yasir. Note that no Sunni would justify that.
- * Gave an incorrect death sentence due to ignorance in basic jurisprudence.
This can be excused due to lack of knoledge. However, there are also incidents where he knowingly changed Muhammad's Sunnah by innovating in religious matters even though he had no authority to do so. For example:
- * Changed the number of floggings for drinking alcohol from 40 to 80 lashes.
- * Enforced the "triple divorce"
The above points are not disputed by Sunnis, but the following two are:
- * Umar took the solitary prayer of the month of Ramadan and changed it to congregational prayer.
- * Forbade temporary marriage.
This list can be expanded to include 80 points.
Shias argue that Umar's legal knowledge can be summarized by his saying:
"If Ali had not been there, Umar would have been perished O Abu'l-Hasan,! I hope I am not alive when you are not among us."
Death
Ali goes on in the above speech:
- Nevertheless, I remained patient despite length of period and stiffness of trial, till when he (Umar) went his way (of death) he put the matter (of Caliphate) in a group and regarded me to be one of them. But good Heavens! what had I to do with this "consultation"? Where was any doubt about me with regard to the first of them (Abu Bakr) that I was now considered akin to these ones (in the consultation)?
Again Umar's lack of knowledge in Muhammad's Sunnah is shown when Umar forbade Hafsa and others to weep for him, believing that it would cause him to be punished in the grave. (ref 1 2)
This was due to the fact that he missunderstod Aisha's hadith. (ref 1 2)
Even though he evidently was mistaken, which is clearly seen in the reference, this case has set precedence in Sunni jurisprudence. Due to this Shia stress the need to enlight people of Umar's ignorance, so that they stop following his sunnah.
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Preceded by: |
Succeeded by: |
Farooqui
The family name Farooqui (alternative spellings, Farooqi, Faruqi, etc.) is maintained by families claiming descent from Umar.
See Also
External links
Al Farooq - The Life of Umar The Great By Shams-Ul-Ulama Allama Shibli Numani (In Progress)
from The History of the Khalifahs by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti
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