Umar ibn Khatab We Love you!

[Salafi_Online]

Wallahi my heart wouldnt stop crying when i finished this piece!

 

A significant addition to the strength of Islam was the conversion of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab in Dhul-Hijjah, the sixth year of Prophethood, three days following the conversion of Hamzah.[] He was a man of dauntless courage and resolution, feared and respected in Makkah, and hitherto a bitter opponent of the new religion. The traditional account reveals that the Prophet once raised his hands in prayer and said: "O Allâh! Give strength to Islaam especially through either of two men you love more: ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham."

 

‘Umar, obviously, was the one who merited that privilege.

 

When we scrutinize the several versions that speak of ‘Umar’s conversion, we can safely conclude that various contradictory emotions used to conflict with one another within his soul. On the one hand, he used to highly regard the traditions of his people, and was habituated to the practice of indulgence in wine orgies; on the other hand, he greatly admired the stamina of the Muslims and their relentless dedication to their faith. These two extreme views created a sort of skepticism in his mind and made him at times tend to believe that the doctrines of Islam could bear better and more sacred seeds of life, that is why he would always experience fits of outrage directly followed by unexpected enervation[]. On the whole, the account of his conversion is very interesting and requires us to go into some details.

 

One day, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab set out from his house, and headed for the Holy Sanctuary where he saw the Prophet offering prayer and overheard him reciting the Sûrah Al-Hâqqah (Chapter 69 — The Reality) of the Noble Qur’ân. The Words of AllâAh appealed to him and touched the innermost cells of his heart. He felt that they derived from unusual composition, and he began to question his people’s allegations as regards the man-composed poetry or words of a soothsayer that they used to attach to the Noble Qur’ân. The Prophet went on to recite: "That this is verily the word of an honoured Messenger (i.e. Gabriel or Muhammad which he has brought from Allâh). It is not the word of a poet, little is that you believe! Nor is it the word of a soothsayer (or a foreteller), little is that you remember! This is the Revelation sent down from the Lord of the ‘Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists)." [69:40-43]

 

At that very moment, Islam permeated his heart.[] However, the dark layer of pre-Islamic tendencies, the deep-seated traditional bigotry as well as the blind pride in his forefathers overshadowed the essence of the great Truth that began to feel its way reluctantly into his heart. He, therefore, persisted in his atrocities against Islam and its adherents unmindful of the pure and true-to-man’s nature feeling that lay behind that fragile cover of pre-Islamic ignorance and mentality. His sharp temper and excessive enmity towards the Prophet led him one day to leave his house, sword in hand, with the intention of killing the Prophet .

 

He was in a fit of anger and was fretting and fuming. Nu‘aim bin ‘Abdullah, a friend of ‘Umar’s, met him accidentally half way. What had caused so much excitement in him and on whom was the fury to burst, he inquired casually. ‘Umar said furiously: "To destroy the man Muhammad () this apostate, who has shattered the unity of Quraish, picked holes in their religion, found folly with their wise men and blasphemed their gods." "‘Umar, I am sure, your soul has deceived you, do you think that Banu ‘Abd Munaf would let you walk on earth if you slain Muhammad ? Why don’t you take care of your own family first and set them right?"

 

"Which of the folk of my house?" asked ‘Umar angrily. "Your brother-in-law and your sister have apostatized (meaning to say: They have become followers of Muhammad ) and abandoned your religion."

 

‘Umar directed his footsteps to his sister’s house. As he drew near, he heard the voice of Khabbab bin Aratt, who was reading the Qur’ânic Chapter Tâ-Hâ (mystic letters, T. H.) to both of them. Khabbab, perceiving the noise of his footsteps retired to a closet. Fatimah, ‘Umar’s sister, took hold of the leaf and hid it. But ‘Umar had already heard the voice. "What sound was that I have heard just now?" shouted the son of Khattab, entering angrily. Both his sister and her husband replied, "You heard nothing." "Nay," said he swearing fiercely, "I have heard that you have apostatized." He plunged forward towards his brother-in-law and beat him severely, but Fatimah rushed to the rescue of her husband. Thereupon, ‘Umar fell upon his sister and struck upon her head. The husband and wife could not contain themselves and cried aloud: "Yes, we are Muslims, we believe in AllâAh and His Messenger Muhammad so do what you will." When ‘Umar saw the face of his dear sister besmeared with blood, he was softened and said: "Let me see what you were reading, so that I may see what Muhammad has brought." Fatimah was satisfied with the assurance, but said: "O brother, you are unclean on account of your idolatry, none but the pure may touch it.

 

So go and wash first." He did so, and took the page and read the opening verses of the Chapter Tâ-Hâ until he reached: "Verily! I am Allâah! Lâ ilâha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me and offer prayers perfectly (Iqâmat-as-Salât), for My Remembrance." [20:14].

 

‘Umar read the verses with great interest and was much entranced with them. "How excellent it is, and how graceful! Please guide me to Muhammad ." said he. And when he heard that, Khabbab came out of concealment and said, "O ‘Umar, I hope that Allâah has answered the prayer of the Prophet , for I heard him say: ‘O Allaâh! Strengthen Islam through either ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham.’" ‘Umar then left for a house in Safa where Muhammad had been holding secret meetings along with his Companions. ‘Umar reached that place with the sword swinging by his arm. He knocked at the door. The Companions of the Prophet turned to see who the intruder was. One of them peeped through a chink in the door and reeled back exclaiming: "It is ‘Umar with his sword." Hamzah, dispelling the fears of his friends, said: "Let him in. As a friend he is welcome. As a foe, he will have his head cut off with his own sword." The Prophet asked his Companions to open the door. In came the son of Khattab.

 

The Prophet advanced to receive the dreadful visitor, caught him by his garment and scabbard, and asked him the reason of his visit. At that ‘Umar replied: "O Messenger of Allâh , I come to you in order to believe in Allaâh and his Messenger and that which he has brought from his Lord." Filled with delight, Muhammad together with his Companions, cried aloud: ‘Allâhu Akbar’ (Allâh is Great).

[Sakina]

Asalamu Alaykum

 

Do you love Abu Bakr, Osman and Ali as well?

[Sakina]

Asalamu Alaykum

 

Cusmaan, Uthman and Osman (different spelling for the same name).

We have only four K.Rashidiin; but you mentioned five who is the fifth one, because of the love you have for Umar I don't think you are a shia. I heard that they don't like Umar. I was surprised you didn't start from Abu Bakr since he was the first Khalifa and also he was the one that was in the cave with the Prophet (s.a.w.w.) He was the father of Aisha the beloved wife of the Prophet (saww). He gave his wealth for islam etc. That is why I asked you that question.

[sahal]

We have only four K.Rashidiin; but you mentioned five who is the fifth one?

Similar feeling !

[Sakina]

Yes salafi_online I liked the article. Umar went there as an angry enemy and he came out as a believer. What a gift Allah gave him. May Allah give us the courage to admit our mistakes and submit to Islam as the Prophet (s.a.w.w) thought us.