Umar

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Umaria

`Umar ibn al-Khattāb (in Arabic, عمر بن الخطاب) (c. 581 – November 3, 644), sometimes referred by Sunni Muslims as `Umar al-Farūq (Umar the Distinguisher (between Truth and Falsehood))), also known in English as Omar or Umar, was from the Banu Adi clan of the Quraysh tribe. He became the second Sunni caliph (634 – 644). He is regarded by Sunnis as the second of the four Khulafā' ar-Rashīdīn ('rightfully-guided caliphs'). Shi'a Muslims believe that he usurped authority that properly belonged to `Alī bin Abī Tālib. Sunni and Shi'a hold diametrically opposite views of `Umar, as can be seen in the "Sunni view" and "Shi'a view" sections at the end of this article.

Early life

`Umar was born in Mecca. His father was Khattab ibn Nufayl, and 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. Drinking was very common among the Quraish. Some accounts say that during the pre-Islamic days, Umar drank wine. After Umar became a Muslim, he never touched alcohol. ^*

Conversion to 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. According to an early story, recounted in Ibn Ishaq's Sīrah, `Umar resolved to assassinate Muhammad. A Muslim he met on the way told him to set his own house in order first, as his sister had converted to Islam. `Umar went to her house and found her reciting verses of the Qur'an. He became infuriated and hit her. When he saw her bleeding, he was sorry for what he had done and in order to please her he said he would read the sura, Ta-Ha, that she had been reading. He was so struck by the sūrah that he accepted Islam that day.

After that, Sunnis believe that he was as determined and impetuous in defending Islam as he had been in persecuting it. ^{The meaning of the Holy Qur'an^*} Shias have a lesser view of Umar, for more information see below, 'Shia View'.

Life in Medina

`Umar was part of the first emigration (Hijrah) to Yathrib (renamed Medīnat an-Nabī, or simply Medina shortly thereafter) in 622. He was present at the battles of Badr, Uhud, Khaybar, and the raid on Syria, as well as many other engagements. He was one of Muhammad's close companions. In 625, `Umar's daughter Hafsah was married to Muhammad. Muhammad's household was not always peaceful; his wives quarreled over his favors and took sides against each other. `Umar was much displeased when he heard this, and according to the story, scolded her thus:

"Hafsa, the (news) has reached me that you cause God's Messenger (may peace be upon him) trouble. You know that God'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. (^*)

Shi'a say that this demonstrates his harshness; Sunni say that this shows that he put loyalty to Muhammad over the closest family ties.

The death of Muhammad

After an illness of lasting several weeks, Muhammad died at noon on Monday June 8, 632 (12th Rabi ul-Awwal, AH 10), in the city of Medina, at the age of sixty-three. Preparations for the funeral were delayed by Umar's refusal to let anyone wash the corpse or prepare it for burial. The prophet, he insisted, was absent from his body but would return. (Guillaume pp. 682-683) Abū Bakr had been absent from Medina; upon being told of Muhammad's death, he returned poste-haste. He found Umar holding the rest of the Muslims at bay. He is reported to have said to Umar:

"If anyone worshipped Muhammad, let them know that Muhammad is dead, but if anyone worshipped God, then let them know that God is living and cannot die."

Abū Bakr then recited these 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?" Umar then relented and let the funeral arrangements proceed. Sunni Muslims say that this denial of Muhammad's death was occasioned by his deep love for Muhammad. The Shi'a say that Umar wished to delay the funeral, so that Abū Bakr could return to Medina and seize power. Umar also showed his deference to Abu Bakr when, during a meeting at Saqifah, he proposed Abu Bakr as the new leader of the Muslim community and immediately swore his support. Shi'a say that this is evidence of a pre-concerted plot; Sunni say that it was an attempt to prevent the disintegration of the Muslim community into Meccan and Medinan factions.

Shi'a and Sunni Muslims have sharply different views regarding accounts of the events following Muhammad's deathSee Succession to Muhammad for further details..

Caliphate of Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr, supported by Umar and other sahaba in a shura, took power after Muhammad after he had asked the Ansar to elect Umar or Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah.(see Sahih Bukhari 5:57:19). There had been a debate between the Ansar and Abu Bakr that there should be two leaders, but Abu Bakr ignored them saying they were only to be advisers and the leader should come from amongst the Quraish tribe. During Abū Bakr's short reign as caliph, `Umar was one of his chief advisors. Abū Bakr appointed `Umar as his successor prior to his death in 634. He was confirmed in the office thereafter.

Shi'a Muslims (shī`at `Alī, the 'partisans of `Alī') assert that `Alī was, once again, unfairly denied his right to lead the Muslim community. Shi'a believe that Ali kept aloof from public life, so as not to support the new caliph. Sunni Muslims argue that Ali supported Umar and served as a trusted advisor.

Reign as caliph

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 watershed battles on both the western and eastern fronts. The Battle of Yarmūk, fought near Damascus in 636, saw a Muslim army of 20,000 defeat a Byzantine force estimated to number 70,000, permanently ending Byzantine rule south of Asia Minor. Another small Muslim army achieved victory over a larger force in the much-mythologized Battle of al-Qādisiyyah (c. 636), near the banks of the Euphrates River. During the course of the battle, Muslim general Sa'ad bin Abu Waqqas|Sa`d bin Abī Waqqās routed the Sassanid army and achieved the death of the famed Persian general Rostam Farrokhzād.

In 637, after a prolonged siege of Jerusalem, the Muslims took the city. `Umar was given the key to the city by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, 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. Fifty-five years later, the Mosque of `Umar was constructed on the site where he prayed. For one version of `Umar's speech to the people after the surrender of Jerusalem, see ^*.

`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 or expanded. 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. `Umar was known for his simple, austere 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. In the year 17 of the Hijra, the fourth year of the caliphate of 'Umar, he decreed that the years of the Islamic era should be counted from the year of the Hijra.

Death

`Umar died in 644, the victim of an assassin's dagger. `Umar's killer (Abu-Lu'lu'ah) was a Persian slave who is said to have held a personal grudge against Umar; he stabbed the Caliph six times as `Umar led the dawn prayers in the Masjid al Nabawi mosque in Medina and then committed suicide. `Umar died two days later, and was buried alongside Muhammad and Abū Bakr. Uthman ibn Affan was elected as his successor, by a group of prominent Muslims appointed by `Umar before his death.

Sunni view

Most Sunnis remember Umar as a strong leader, an excellent jurist, a progressive statesman, and the second of the rightly-guided Caliphs. He did not seek advancement for his own family, but rather sought to advance the interests of the Muslim community, the ummah. One hadith, or oral tradition, credited by Sunnis says that at the time of his death he was asked if he would like to nominate his son `Abd-Allah bin `Umar as caliph to which he replied: "One is enough from the Khattab (Umar's) family."

Some Sunnis take a more nuanced view of Umar. They note that even amongst the early Muslims, he had a reputation for strict militancy and conformity and was even accused by contemporaries of being harsh in religious matters. On several occasions he even opposed Muhammad when the latter wished to be merciful toward religious and political enemies. Yet Muhammad was reported as saying if there was ever a person with prophet-like qualities, it was Umar; this was a tribute to Umar's conscientious, just, and humble disposition.

Shi'a view

Most Shi'a regard `Umar as a usurper, and criticize him harshly. He is said to have questioned some of Muhammad's decisions, shown cowardice in battle, and been too harsh to his daughter when he scolded her for her behavior towards Muhammad. During the matter of the disputed succession to Muhammad, Shi`as believe he persecuted Ali and caused the death of Muhammad's daughter Fatima Zahra as well as an unborn child. Shi'as say that `Umar ruled capriciously as caliph, at times giving legal rulings which contradicted the Qur'an and sunnah.

Non-Muslim view

Non-Muslim scholars generally treat Umar as a pivotal figure in the history of Islam, since it was under his aegis that the Muslims expanded outwards from the Syro-Arabian steppe to conquer the great powers of the time, the Sassanid and Byzantine empires. They analyze his decisions primarily in military and political terms, and are less concerned with the religious or character judgments that interest Muslims.

Farūqī

The family names Farūqī (alternative spellings, Faruqi, Farooqui, Farooqi, Faruqi, etc.) and El-Umari are used by families claiming descent from `Umar.

Notes

References

Donner, Fred, The Early Islamic Conquests, Princeton University Press, 1981
Guillaume, A., The Life of Muhammad, Oxford University Press, 1955
Madelung, Wilferd, The Succession to Muhammad, Cambridge University Press, 1997

External links

Family tree of Umar bin al-Khattab
Al Farooq - The Life of Umar The Great By Shams-Ul-Ulama Allama Shibli Nomani
Excerpt from The History of the Khalifahs by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti
Sirah of Amirul Muminin Umar Bin Khattab (r.a.a.) by Shaykh Sayyed Muhammad bin Yahya Al-Husayni Al-Ninowy.

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