Hazrat Umar(razi allah tala anh)
Hazrat Umar(razi allah tala anh) was born in Makkah. He belonged to the Quraish tribe. He was an intelligent and learned person. He belonged to a successful merchant family.
Hazrat Umar(razi allah tala anh) was an idol worshipper. When the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) started to preach Islam, he became his bitter enemy. One day, in the sixth year of Prophethood, he left his house with the intention of killing the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) On the way, someone told him that his own sister and her husband had became Muslims. Enraged, he went to the house of his sister who, at that time, was reciting the Holy Quran.
He attacked his sister and her husband. Later, on his insistence, she recited some verses from Surah Tauba. The words of the Quran moved him so much that tears began to flow from his eyes. He, at once, went to the Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) and accepted Islam. After his conversion, he was given the title of Faruq by the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) His conversion was of great help to the small number of Muslims who became bold enough to pray openly in the Ka’abah. He migrated to Madinah and took part in the battles of Badr, Uhad, Khandaq and Hunain. He participated in the Khyber Expedition and the Conquest of Makkah.
He placed half of his wealth at the disposal of the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam) at the time of Tabuk Expedition. Hazrat Abu Bakr(razi allah tala anh), the first Khalifa had named him his successor, so he became the second Khalifa of Islam. As Khalifa Hazrat Umar(razi allah tala anh) ruled the Muslims for over ten years, during which the Muslims defeated the powerful forces of Persia and Rome. He was an administrator of extraordinary intelligence and a man of iron will. Hazrat Umar(razi allah tala anh) greatly extended and strengthened the rule of Muslims. He was brave, courageous, honest and lived simply.
In 23 A.H. while he was leading the morning prayers, a Persian slave attacked him. The wounds proved fatal. In accordance with his wish, he was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet(sal lal la ho alai he wasalam).
