It’s undeniable that Umar ibn al-Khattab, also known as Umar radiyaAllahu anhu, occupies a towering position in Islamic history. His journey from staunch opponent of Islam to one of its greatest champions is a testament to the transformative power of faith.
Born into the Quraysh tribe, Umar was known for his physical stature—tall, strong, with a deep voice that commanded attention. His reputation preceded him; children would scatter at the sight of him, even though his heart overflowed with justice and compassion. This larger-than-life persona would eventually play a crucial role in the early Islamic community.
Umar’s story is perhaps most famously marked by his conversion to Islam. His initial hostility towards the new faith was legendary; he fiercely opposed Prophet Muhammad and his followers. Yet, destiny had other plans. One day, driven by curiosity and a desire to confront Muhammad, Umar set out to find him. On his way, fate intervened. Through a series of providential events, Umar found himself face-to-face with his beloved sister and her husband, who had already embraced Islam in secret. The words of the Quran they were reciting struck deep into Umar’s heart, melting away years of animosity. In that moment, Umar surrendered to the truth, declaring his faith in Islam.
This pivotal conversion was more than personal; it altered the course of Islamic history. Umar’s embrace of Islam brought strategic depth and unwavering commitment to the fledgling Muslim community. His tenure as the second Caliph after Abu Bakr was marked by transformative leadership. Umar’s governance was characterized by uncompromising justice, economic reforms that prioritized social welfare, and expansions that spread the message of Islam far and wide.
Umar’s legacy is not just political or military; it’s deeply moral and spiritual. His profound insights and sayings, captured in numerous quotes attributed to him, continue to inspire and guide Muslims worldwide. His famous words—”I wish Umar had not been born!”—spoken out of humility and an acknowledgment of accountability, illustrate his deep commitment to justice and integrity.
The Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab (RA)
Umar’s voice was so profound that it carried far and echoed from within. His deep timbre could cause the ground to tremble and the surroundings to quiver. This characteristic was not frowned upon in the faith. Umar’s strength, a gift from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), was channeled effectively after his conversion to Islam. Instead of trying to diminish Umar’s energy, the Prophet directed it towards righteousness and communal benefit.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) once noticed a group of men with stooped postures, walking slowly. She inquired about them, learning they were ascetics or devout reciters who abstained from worldly pleasures and spent their nights in prayer. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) disapproved, saying, “Don’t impose this on our religion.” She recalled Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) as the foremost in nightly prayers and humility, walking briskly and ensuring his voice was heard when he spoke. His authoritative manner and resolute actions were tempered with generosity, particularly in spending for the sake of Allah.
Umar’s youth is notable; despite his later image as an elder statesman and leader of Quraysh, he embraced Islam in his early twenties. Originally a camel herder and trader, born into the small yet respected Banu Adi clan of Mecca, he was exposed to tribal arbitrations from a young age. His mother, Hantama bint Hisham, hailed from Banu Mahzum, the same tribe as Abu Jahl and Khalid ibn Walid. His father was known for his harshness, a trait that shaped Umar’s early life and fueled his eventual aversion to cruelty and commitment to justice.
Before his conversion, Umar was a formidable presence in Meccan society, known for his strength and eloquence. He engaged in wrestling competitions and poetry duels, often outperforming his peers. His intelligence and competitive spirit set him apart, despite being among the few literate individuals of Quraysh. As Quraysh’s ambassador, he staunchly defended their interests and superiority.
Umar initially opposed Islam out of concern for societal division and disruption of Meccan unity. Unlike Abu Jahl, driven by tribal supremacy, Umar’s opposition stemmed from a broader concern for societal cohesion and the ridicule faced by his people. Nevertheless, he became one of the leading persecutors of early Muslims in Mecca.
Prior to his own conversion, Umar’s sister, Fatima, and possibly his wife, Zaynab bint Mad’un, had embraced Islam secretly. His older brother, Zayd, also embraced Islam early but died a martyr before Umar’s conversion, leaving a deep impression on him.
Umar’s marriages included notable figures like Zayd bin Amir’s daughter, Atika, and Um Kursum bint Ali, granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His relationships further intertwined him with the nascent Muslim community.
The turning point in Umar’s life came through a series of encounters that exposed him to Islam’s message. His initial resistance gave way when he heard his sister reciting Qur’an, which softened his heart. He then sought out the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), declaring his acceptance of Islam publicly, marking a transformative moment in early Islamic history.
Umar’s conversion brought a significant shift, from persecutor to protector of Muslims. His leadership during the caliphate was marked by a commitment to justice, expansion of Islamic territories, and establishment of administrative structures that shaped the Muslim world for centuries.
Narrated: Umar bin Al-Khattab From Sahih Bukhari. I heard Allah’s Apostle saying, “The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.”
The incident begins with Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, recounting a pivotal moment in his life when he witnessed a profound event near the Kaaba. He recalls that people around him were stunned by a voice proclaiming, “There is no deity but Allah.” However, Umar himself did not run away; instead, he remained curious about the source of this proclamation.
On subsequent occasions, similar calls were heard, and Umar’s intrigue grew each time. Shortly after these events, news spread of a man claiming prophethood among them. Umar reflects that these incidents occurred shortly before the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, began his prophetic mission. As a young man at the time, Umar initially dismissed these occurrences.
The most compelling narration revolves around Umar’s psychological transformation when Islam was presented before him in a way that he could not ignore. Umar admits that he was distant from religion and deeply immersed in social activities, particularly drinking. One night, unable to find his usual drinking companions, he decided to visit the Kaaba for tawaf (circumambulation).
Late at night, sober and alone, Umar unexpectedly encountered the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, praying near the Kaaba. This was a rare sight as the Prophet was praying towards Jerusalem, with the Kaaba positioned between them. Umar stood mesmerized, listening to the beautiful recitation of the Quran. He marveled at the poetic quality of the verses initially but was taken aback when the Prophet recited Surah Al-Haqqah.
The Prophet’s recitation seemed to address Umar’s thoughts directly, asserting that these were not the words of a poet but a noble messenger. Umar, astonished by this revelation, contemplated his next steps. Rather than immediately embracing Islam, he left the scene unsettled and physically affected by the encounter.
Despite the pull towards Islam, Umar struggled internally due to the implications for his reputation and social standing. Shortly after this encounter, Umar learned of a plot to eliminate the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. Outraged by the disruption caused by Islam in Meccan society, Umar resolved to confront the Prophet and put an end to what he perceived as a source of division and chaos.
Armed and determined, Umar set out towards the Prophet’s house, openly declaring his intentions. Along the way, he encountered Nu’aym ibn Abdullah, a fellow member of his tribe secretly sympathetic to Islam. Nu’aym attempted to dissuade Umar, warning him of the repercussions and suggesting that Umar first address the recent conversion of his own family members to Islam.
Nu’aym’s revelation about Umar’s sister Fatima and her husband being Muslim shocked Umar. He redirected his rage towards his own household, bursting into Fatima’s home to find her and her husband engaged in reciting the Quran. Enraged yet conflicted, Umar confronted his sister and brother-in-law violently, leading to a tense standoff.
However, Fatima’s calm assertion and Sa’eed ibn Zayd’s firm stance on their newfound faith in Islam eventually softened Umar’s heart. Moved by their conviction and the verses of the Quran he had heard, Umar underwent a profound change. He requested to see the pages of the Quran they were reciting and, after performing ablution, read the opening verses, including “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
This encounter marked the beginning of Umar’s journey towards embracing Islam, as he recognized the truth in the Quran’s message and the integrity of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. His transformation would later make him a staunch supporter of Islam and one of its most influential figures.
This scorching afternoon, Umar was on one of his usual patrols through the narrow alleys of Mecca, his sword strapped to his side—a testament to his readiness to defend the customs of his people. As he passed by a group of companions gathered in whispered conversation, his sharp ears caught snippets of talk about the Prophet Muhammad and his followers meeting in secret at a house known as Dar Al-Arqam.
Curiosity mingled with suspicion as Umar’s steps slowed. His mind raced with thoughts of the perceived danger these meetings posed to the fabric of Meccan society. Determined to confront the source of this unrest head-on, Umar marched purposefully towards Dar Al-Arqam, his heart heavy with resolve.
Upon reaching the unassuming door of Dar Al-Arqam, Umar raised his powerful fist and delivered three resounding knocks. Inside, the companions huddled in silence, their hearts pounding in anticipation of the possible confrontation with the fearsome Umar ibn Al-Khattab.
A cautious voice from within inquired, “Who is it?”
“It is Umar,” came the thunderous reply.
The room fell into a tense silence. Whispers raced through the group like a gust of wind, carrying with them a mixture of fear and uncertainty. One of the companions, sensing the gravity of the moment, peered through a crack in the door. His eyes widened with alarm as he recognized the imposing figure of Umar standing outside.
“He’s here! It’s Umar!” the companion gasped, his voice trembling.
But before anyone could react, another voice—a steady, calm presence amidst the palpable tension—rose above the hushed murmurs.
“Let him in,” said a voice from within the room.
Those words, spoken with unwavering confidence, echoed through the hearts of the companions. They exchanged glances, their faces a mixture of apprehension and trust in the wisdom of their leader, Muhammad, peace be upon him.
With hesitant hands, one of the companions opened the door, revealing Umar ibn Al-Khattab standing tall and formidable, his gaze fixed upon the group before him. The air grew thick with anticipation as Umar’s piercing eyes swept over the faces of the companions, assessing each one with a scrutiny born of years spent in defense of his beliefs.
Silence hung heavy in the room as Umar stepped forward, his presence filling the space with an almost tangible force. The companions held their breath, uncertain of what would transpire next.
And then, in a moment that would reverberate through the annals of history, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, emerged from the shadows. His countenance was serene yet resolute, his gaze steady as it met Umar’s searching eyes.
“What brings you here, O Umar ibn Al-Khattab?” the Prophet’s voice rang out, breaking the stillness that had settled over the room.
Umar felt a stirring within him—an amalgamation of defiance and curiosity, tempered by an unspoken recognition of the truth that resonated in the Prophet’s words. He squared his shoulders, meeting the Prophet’s gaze with a mixture of apprehension and newfound respect.
“I have come,” Umar began, his voice echoing with a depth of emotion that surprised even himself, “to bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that you, O Muhammad, are His Messenger.”
The words hung in the air, their significance weighing heavily upon the hearts of all who bore witness to this pivotal moment. The companions looked on, their faces alight with hope and awe, as the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stepped forward and embraced Umar in a gesture of profound acceptance and compassion.
And so it was that Umar ibn Al-Khattab, once a staunch adversary of Islam, became one of its most steadfast champions. His conversion marked a turning point in the history of the faith, illuminating the transformative power of faith and conviction in the face of adversity.
From that day forward, Umar walked a path illuminated by the light of Islam, his formidable strength and unwavering determination channeled into serving the cause of truth and justice. As he stood beside the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the companions, Umar became a beacon of guidance and a pillar of strength for generations to come.