Javed Ullah Raja
A prominent figure in Islamic history, Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) was one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He (RA) was born in 584 AD in the city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and belonged to the Banu Adi tribe of Quraish. It is not easy to put the life and achievements of this historical figure into words. Hazrat Umar’s (RA) reign was considered a golden era in Islamic history, known for his justice, expansion of state and rule. Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) accepted Islam in the early years of the prophet hood of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him). He (RA) was 30 years old when he accepted Islam. Umm al-Momineen, Hazrat Hafsa (RA), was daughter of Hazrat Umer (RA). At the time of acceptance of Islam of Hazrat Umer (RA) , the number of male Muslims increased to 40, while 11 women had entered the circle of Islam before himHis conversion to Islam was an important event. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) expressed his desire to Allah to accept Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) or Abu Jahl bin Hisham to strengthen Islam. Allah Ta’ala accepted Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) for the exaltation of Islam. He embraced Islam and strengthened the Muslim Ummah greatly. Hazrat Umar’s strong personality, wisdom and deep understanding of justice made him a prominent figure in early Islamic society.. After the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 632 AD, Hazrat Umar (RA) played an important role in establishing the first Islamic state. He was elected the second caliph of the Islamic State after Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). During his ten-year reign, which lasted from 634 to 644 AD, Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (RA) expanded the area of the Islamic Empire to 2.2 million square miles through various conquests, including the capture of Jerusalem, Egypt, and Persia. Historians have written that if they (RA) It would take few more years; they would have made the whole world a part of the Islamic State. Hazrat Umar (RA) implemented many social reforms during his caliphate. He introduced measures to alleviate poverty, such as providing stipends to the poor and establishing a welfare system. He (RA) also initiated public works projects including the construction of canals and roads to improve infrastructure and facilitate trade. Hazrat Umar (RA) was a scholar of complete faith in Allah that he not only ruled the state but also ruled the soil, air and water. History is full of his great events. During the sermon in Madinah, hundreds of kilometers away, the one of companions, Hazrat Saria (RA) heard the words miles away. Once there was an earthquake in Madinah, he (RA) struck the ground with a whip and said, “Stop.” He said, “Did Umar (RA) not do justice on the earth?” When he river Nile dried up. Umar (RA) wrote a letter to the river saying that if it moves by the command of Allah, then it moves. As and when his letter had arrived that the waves began to flow in the river. A fire broke out in a place near Madina. He sent his cloak and by showing it with this cloak, the fire entered back into the place from where it had come out. On many occasions, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ali revealed the opinions of the Umer (RA) as the verses of the Qur’an. On many occasions, the opinions that came out of the tongue of the Umer (RA) were revealed by Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala as the verses of the Holy Qur’an. In which some verses like about Nawafil on Maqam-e-Abraham (Surah Al-Baqarah verse-125). About the veil of mothers of the believers (Surah Tahirim verse-5), About the funeral of the leader of the hypocrites, Abdullah bin Abi (Surah At-Towba, verse- 84), About the prisoners of the Battle of Badr (Surat al-Anfal, verse 68-69) And many other Quranic verses, rulings were not revealed before. Some verses of the Holy Quran were revealed according to the opinions of Hazrat Umar (RA). Hazrat Umar (RA) was known for his simplicity and accessibility to people. He was fair in his rulings, which earned him the title of “Al-Farooq”, which means “the one who distinguishes between right and wrong”. Among the characteristics of Hazrat Umar’s (RA) caliphate were his strictness on justice and his concern for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah. He implemented many reforms that the nations of the coming world implemented in their territories. These include the establishment of a comprehensive administrative system, known as Diwan to ensure fair governance. He also introduced a standard currency and established a public treasury, which further strengthened the economic stability of the state. Hazrat Umar (RA) encouraged the pursuit of knowledge and established many educational institutions during his reign. He emphasized the importance of education and tried to ensure that both men and women had access to learning. Therefore, in today’s developed countries, there are all those reform systems that started in that Islamic period. The Quran was compiled in book form in the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiqui (RA), with the insistence of Umer (RA). After that, he established the practice of teaching and learning in his era, fixed the salaries of Hafiz Quran and Adhan givers. He was present at the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Khandaq, the Battle of Uhud, Khyber, Hunain, and Tabuk, besides the Pledge of Allegiance of Rizwan, the Peace of Hudaybiyah, and the occasion of Hujjat al-Wada. Hazrat Umar’s great achievement is the victory of Bait al-Maqdis. Hazrat Amro bin Al-Aas (RA) was assigned to the campaign of Palestine; he captured Nablus, Ladd, Amwas, and Bait Jibreen etc. and besieged Bait-ul-Maqdis in 6 AH. Meanwhile, Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (RA) also completed this campaign and met him. After a few days of defense, the Christians of Bait-ul-Maqdis expressed their willingness to reconcile and for their own satisfaction expressed their wish that Amir-ul-Mu’minin Umer (RA) himself would come here and write an agreement with his own hand. Umar (RA) was informed of this. After consulting Akbarien-e- Sahaba, he appointed Hazrat Ali (RA) as his deputy and in Rajab 16 Hijri; he left Madinah for Bait al-Maqdis for agreement. Hazrat Umar (RA) was stabbed by a Persian slave, Abu Lulu Feroz, while he was praying in congregation in Madinah. Due to which they could not bear the wounds they drank the cup of martyrdom on 1st of Muharram in 644. And was buried by the side of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His (RA) martyrdom was a great loss to Muslims, and his contribution and legacy are cherished by Muslims around the world.