The Final Days of a Just Ruler: The Martyrdom of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA)
A Historical Account of Leadership, Legacy, and the Tragic Assassination by Abu Lu’lu’ah al-Majusi
Introduction
Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was one of the most influential and powerful caliphs in Islamic history. As the second successor to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his rule is remembered for justice, courage, administrative brilliance, and deep commitment to the principles of Islam. His leadership laid the foundations for a rapidly expanding Islamic empire and the development of an Islamic governance system rooted in justice and equity. Yet, despite his far-reaching achievements, his life ended in tragedy when he was fatally attacked by a man named Abu Lu’lu’ah al-Majusi (a Persian craftsman) in the year 644 CE (23 AH).
The Leadership and Legacy of Umar (RA)
Born in Makkah around 583 CE, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) belonged to the respected Banu Adi clan of the Quraysh. Initially a fierce opponent of Islam, he accepted the faith in the 6th year of Prophethood and became one of its staunchest defenders. He was among the ten companions promised Paradise and served as Caliph after Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA). His tenure as caliph saw immense territorial expansion, including conquests in Persia, Egypt, and the Levant.
Umar (RA) established an effective system of governance, creating departments for justice, finance, police, and public welfare. He introduced the Islamic calendar (Hijri), appointed judges, implemented tax regulations, and promoted justice for both Muslims and non-Muslims under Islamic rule. He was known for walking at night through the streets of Madinah to observe the conditions of the people.
The Motive Behind the Tragedy
Among the people living in Madinah was Abu Lu’lu’ah al-Majusi, a skilled Persian craftsman. He was a slave under the ownership of Mughirah ibn Shu’bah (RA), a companion of the Prophet ﷺ. Despite his craftsmanship and talents in metalwork, Abu Lu’lu’ah was known to be unhappy with the jizya (tax) he had to pay. When he complained to Umar (RA) about the amount, Umar investigated and found the tax fair and within the prescribed limits. This rejection is believed to have sparked deep resentment in Abu Lu’lu’ah’s heart.
It is important to note that Abu Lu’lu’ah was not a Muslim but a Zoroastrian (Majusi), and his assassination of Umar (RA) was seen as a premeditated act of revenge or possible political motivation. Some reports also suggest possible instigation by other hostile groups towards the Islamic state.
The Assassination
On the 26th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 23 AH, Hazrat Umar (RA) came to Masjid al-Nabawi as usual to lead the Fajr (dawn) prayer. As he began the salah and entered sujood (prostration), Abu Lu’lu’ah approached with a double-bladed dagger, specially crafted and sharpened for lethal effect. He stabbed Umar (RA) multiple times in the abdomen. In the chaos that followed, the attacker fled the scene, stabbing other worshippers along the way. He ultimately took his own life when he realized capture was near.
Umar (RA) was carried home, gravely wounded. Despite medical attention, it soon became clear that the injuries were fatal. Even in his final moments, Umar (RA) remained concerned about his responsibilities. He appointed a council of six companions (including Uthman, Ali, Zubair, Talha, Abdur Rahman bin Awf, and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas) to decide the next caliph. He also insisted that his debt be paid and sought permission from Aisha (RA) to be buried next to the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (RA), which she graciously allowed.
Death and Burial
Three days after the attack, on the 1st of Muharram, 24 AH, Hazrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) passed away. He was buried alongside his beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the first Caliph, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA), in the chamber of Aisha (RA) – now part of Masjid al-Nabawi.
Conclusion
The assassination of Hazrat Umar (RA) was a major loss for the Muslim Ummah. His legacy of justice, service, and reform continues to inspire Muslims around the world. His tragic death at the hands of Abu Lu’lu’ah is a solemn reminder of how even the most righteous leaders may fall victim to the forces of hatred and political unrest. Yet, Umar's memory endures as that of a man who ruled with justice, simplicity, and fear of Allah, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the history of Islam forever.
About the Creator
Benjamin Franklin: The Mind That Helped Build a Nation
Benjamin Franklin was not born into greatness; he built it piece by piece with curiosity, discipline, and an unshakable belief in the power of learning. Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children in a modest household. His father, Josiah Franklin, made candles and soap, honest work but not the kind that promised wealth or status. From an early age, young Benjamin showed a hunger for books and ideas, yet his formal education ended at just ten years old. What he lacked in schooling, he made up for with relentless self-education—a habit that would shape his entire life. Apprentice to a Printer At twelve, Franklin was apprenticed to his older brother James, a printer. The print shop became Benjamin’s classroom. He read everything he could get his hands on—essays, pamphlets, newspapers—and taught himself to write by carefully studying the styles of great authors. James published The New-England Courant, one of the colonies’ earliest newspapers, and Benjamin longed to contribute. Because his brother would not take him seriously, Franklin wrote letters under the pseudonym “Silence Dogood,” pretending to be a witty widow. The letters were published and widely admired. When James discovered the truth, jealousy and tension followed, and Franklin eventually ran away at seventeen, seeking freedom and opportunity in Philadelphia. Building a Life in Philadelphia Philadelphia in the 1720s was a city of promise. Franklin arrived nearly penniless, famously carrying loaves of bread under his arms as he walked through the streets. Yet he possessed something more valuable than money: determination. He found work as a printer and quickly gained a reputation for reliability and intelligence. Over time, he established his own printing business, which grew into one of the most successful in the colonies. Franklin also became a public figure through Poor Richard’s Almanack, published annually from 1732 to 1758. Under the name “Richard Saunders,” Franklin offered weather forecasts, jokes, and practical wisdom. Sayings like “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise” reflected his belief in hard work and common sense. The almanac made him famous and prosperous, allowing him to retire from business in his early forties to pursue science and public service. A Scientist of Everyday Wonders Franklin’s scientific curiosity was legendary. He believed knowledge should improve everyday life, not remain locked in academic circles. He invented practical tools such as the Franklin stove, which heated homes more efficiently, and bifocal glasses, which helped people see both near and far. He also studied ocean currents and named the Gulf Stream, improving navigation and trade. His most famous scientific experiment involved electricity. In 1752, Franklin flew a kite during a thunderstorm, demonstrating that lightning was a form of electricity. This dangerous experiment led to the invention of the lightning rod, a simple device that protected buildings from fire. Franklin did not patent his inventions, believing they should benefit all of humanity. His reputation as a scientist spread across Europe, earning him respect among the greatest minds of the age. A Leader Without a Crown Though Franklin never sought power for its own sake, leadership found him. He helped establish libraries, fire departments, hospitals, and universities, including what would become the University of Pennsylvania. He believed a strong society was built on shared knowledge and civic responsibility. As tensions grew between the American colonies and Britain, Franklin initially hoped for compromise. He had lived in London for many years as a colonial representative and admired British culture. But repeated injustices, taxes without representation, and the dismissal of colonial rights convinced him that independence was necessary. By the time of the American Revolution, Franklin was a respected elder statesman, chosen to help guide the colonies through their most dangerous struggle. Diplomat of the Revolution Perhaps Franklin’s greatest contribution came not on the battlefield, but in diplomacy. Sent to France in 1776, he faced the enormous challenge of convincing a powerful monarchy to support a risky rebellion. Franklin’s charm, wit, and reputation worked wonders. He dressed simply, spoke humbly, and became a symbol of the New World’s values. French philosophers admired him; common people celebrated him. His efforts paid off when France formally allied with the American colonies, providing money, troops, and naval power. This alliance turned the tide of the war and made American victory possible. Without Franklin’s diplomacy, the Revolution might have failed. Shaping a New Nation After the war, Franklin returned home as a hero. Though elderly and in poor health, he continued to serve. In 1787, at the age of 81, he attended the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. While he did not speak often, his words carried great weight. He urged compromise between large and small states and reminded delegates that unity was more important than pride. His calm wisdom helped shape the United States Constitution. Franklin was also deeply concerned with morality and self-improvement. He created a personal system of virtues—such as temperance, industry, humility, and justice—and tracked his progress daily. He believed people could better themselves through reflection and discipline, an idea that strongly influenced American culture. Final Years and Lasting Legacy Benjamin Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84. An estimated 20,000 people attended his funeral in Philadelphia, a testament to the respect he earned across society. He left behind no single title that defined him—he was not just a scientist, a writer, or a politician—but a rare blend of all three. Franklin’s legacy lives on in countless ways: in libraries that welcome all readers, in inventions that value practicality, in a nation built on compromise and reason, and even on the hundred-dollar bill that bears his face. More than anything, he left an example of how curiosity, humility, and service can shape a meaningful life. Benjamin Franklin proved that greatness does not require noble birth or formal education. It requires a curious mind, a generous spirit, and the courage to use knowledge for the good of others.
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