Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA

Hazrat Umar Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him) was born in Makkah Mukarramah. His kunya was Abu Hafs. He embraced Islam in the sixth year of Prophethood, at the age of 27. Even before accepting Islam, he was regarded with great respect because he was honorable, educated, brave, courageous, and wise in matters. He also had the honor of being the father-in-law of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

He possessed an exceptional ability to distinguish between truth and falsehood. For this reason, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) bestowed upon him the title “Farooq.” His acceptance of Islam brought great strength and stability to the religion. Muslims who previously offered prayers in secret began to pray openly in Masjid al-Haram after Hazrat Umar (RA) accepted Islam.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) once said that, to his knowledge, everyone migrated secretly, except Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), who migrated openly.

He openly challenged the disbelievers, declaring that whoever could stop him from migrating should try to do so. However, confronting Umar (RA) was equivalent to putting one’s life in danger. The disbelievers feared him, while he himself feared Allah Almighty. Due to frequent weeping, two dark lines had appeared on his face.

After the passing of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), Hazrat Umar (RA) became the Caliph of the Muslims.

Hazrat Abu Umamah Sahl ibn Hunayf (RA) relates that for a long time Hazrat Umar (RA) took nothing from the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury). When hardship and poverty reached an extreme, he called the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and consulted them. Hazrat Ali (RA) advised him: “You should take two meals a day, one at noon and one at night.” Accordingly, Hazrat Umar (RA) acted upon this advice.

During his caliphate, he wore a woolen cloak with leather patches. In the summer, he would wear only one set of clothes. Hazrat Anas (RA) says that he once saw Hazrat Umar (RA) during his caliphate with three patches stitched one above the other between his shoulders.

He could have taken generously from the Bayt al-Mal and spent on himself, but such was his humility and modesty that despite being the Commander of the Faithful, he lived a simple life.

This was the Caliph whose rule extended over 2.2 million square miles (approximately half the world). During his caliphate, many lands and regions were conquered and the banner of Islam was raised, including Iraq, Syria, Damascus, Homs, Yarmouk, Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem), Caesarea, Tikrit, Khuzestan, Azerbaijan, Tabaristan, Armenia, Persia, Kerman, Sistan, Makran, Khurasan, Egypt, Alexandria, and other areas.

Despite being such a great ruler, he had no protocol or royal airs. He used to say that if even a dog were to die of thirst during his caliphate, he would be questioned about it. He took such great care of his subjects that he would patrol the city at night in disguise, so that he could learn about people’s difficulties.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If there were to be a prophet after me, it would have been Umar.” (Musnad Ahmad)

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If there were to be a prophet after me, it would have been Umar.” (Musnad Ahmad)

In the final days of Dhul-Hijjah, a Persian slave named Abu Lulu attacked him during prayer. After remaining injured for several days, he was martyred on the very first date of the Hijri calendar that he had initiated, and he was buried beside the blessed resting place of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).