NoorAyyaam
NoorAyyaam

Sacred Moments Illuminated

بسم اللّٰهِ الرحمن الرحيم

Umar ibn al-Khattab
Companion of the Prophet

Hadrat

Umar ibn al-Khattab

عُمَر بْن ٱلْخَطَّاب

(Radiyallahu Anhu) رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ

Passed

1 Muharram 24 AH

Verified
Kunyah

Abu Hafs

Birth

(583 CE) — Makkah al-Mukarramah

Appearance

stature: Tall and well-built in physique

complexion: Fair-skinned with a reddish tinge

distinguishing: Two dark lines had developed on his blessed face due to excessive weeping out of the fear of Allah

reference: Az-Zuhd lil Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, pp. 149

Farooq-e-A'zamThe Greatest Distinguisher (between truth and falsehood)(granted by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him))
Ameer-ul-Mu'mineenCommander of the Faithful
  • Second most distinguished Companion after Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu) — after the blessed Prophets and angels, the most eminent person among all of Allah's creation

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • The order of rank among the companions as stated in Bahar-e-Shari'at: the most excellent is Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu), then Hadrat Umar Farooq-e-A'zam (radi Allahu anhu), then Hadrat Uthman-e-Ghani (radi Allahu anhu), then Hadrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu)

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • The sun did not rise on any man better than Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu)

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Guaranteed entrance to Paradise — among the 'Asharah Mubashsharah' (ten blessed companions given the certain promise of Jannah)

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Most eminent among all Awliya (friends) of Allah — after Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu), no Wali can ever reach the rank of Wilayat that a blessed companion possesses

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Distinctive nearness to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) — both in worldly life and after passing, bestowed with especial and distinctive proximity

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • All the angels of the sky respect Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and every Satan on the earth trembles with his fear

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Allah placed the truth upon the tongue and heart of Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu)

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • A man of wonders and miraculous Karamat — a paragon of excellence, Allah made him more distinguished than others by conferring upon him several wonders

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Islam itself will mourn the demise of Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) — Sayyiduna Jibra'eel (alayhis salam) informed the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) of this

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

O Allah, grant honour to Islam through Umar ibn al-Khattab

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

blog-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

The sun did not rise on any man better than Umar

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 384, Hadees 3704)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

All the angels of sky respect Umar and every Satan on the earth trembles with his fear

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Tareekh Damishq, vol. 44, pp. 85)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

A true believer has devotion towards Abu Bakr and Umar, and a hypocrite bears malice towards them

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Tareekh Dimashq, vol. 44, pp. 225)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Umar is the lamp of the dwellers of Jannah

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Majma'-uz-Zawaid, vol. 9, pp. 77, Hadees 14461)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

He (Umar) is the person who never likes falsehood

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Musnad Imam Ahmad, vol. 5, pp. 302, Hadees 15585)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'A heavenly person will come to you', and then Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) arrived

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 388, Hadees 3714)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

The pleasure of Allah is the pleasure of Umar, and the pleasure of Umar is the pleasure of Allah

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Jam'-ul-Jawami' lis-Suyuti, vol. 4, pp. 368, Hadees 12556)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Allah placed the truth upon the tongue and heart of Umar

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 383, Hadees 3702)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

The one who hated Umar hated me, and the one who loved Umar, it is as if he loved me

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Al-Mu'jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 5, p. 102, Hadees 6726)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: I entered into Jannah. There I saw a palace. I inquired, 'Whose palace is this?' Angel replied, 'Sayyiduna Umar's.' I wished to enter it but I thought of your self-respect and gave up the attempt. Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) said, 'O Prophet of Allah! My parents be sacrificed for you, how dare I think of my self-respect being offended by you?'

Hadrat Jabir Bin 'Abdullah (radi Allahu anhu)

(Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 525, Hadees 3679)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

As regard to my blessed companions, fear Allah, fear Allah! Do not make them the target of reproach after me. The one who loved them, he did so out of my love. And the one who had hatred towards them, he had hatred towards me. The one who harmed them, he annoyed me, the one who annoyed me surely annoyed Allah, and the one who annoyed Allah, soon he will be seized by Allah

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Sunan-ut-Tirmizi, vol. 5, pp. 463, Hadees 3888)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Jibra'eel (alayhis salam) has informed me that Islam will mourn the demise of Umar

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 2, pp. 175)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

You will be with the one whom you love. Hadrat Anas ibn Malik (radi Allahu anhu) said: 'No glad tiding made us so jubilant as this saying did. I love the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and also Hadrat Abu Bakr and Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhuma), therefore I hope that I will be with them though my deeds are not like theirs.'

the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

(Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 527, Hadees 3688)

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Embraced Islam in the sixth year of Prophethood (616 CE)

Became the 40th person to embrace Islam — he embraced Islam by virtue of the supplication made by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). His conversion so significantly strengthened Muslim morale that Muslims were able to pray openly in congregation inside the sacred Haram for the first time

Openly migrated to Madinah — boldly declared his Islamic allegiance in the Ka'bah courtyard despite threats

Hadrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) said he was 'the only one who openly migrated'. He challenged the Quraysh openly before departing

Participated as a faithful minister in all major battles: Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq

Contributed in all Islamic campaigns and in all strategic decisions of war and peace headed by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as a faithful minister and comrade

Nominated as the second Caliph by Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu)

The first Caliph, Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu), nominated him as the Caliph after him. He executed all the responsibilities of caliphate marvellously and proved to be the worthy successor of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

Founded the Islamic Hijri calendar — establishing a structured system of dating still in use today

Established structured bureaucracy and provincial governance — including stipends for poor, pensions for elderly, support for orphans and widows

Night patrols of Madinah — would personally patrol the streets at night to ensure the welfare of his subjects

When his shirt tore whilst in Syria, a governor offered a new one — Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) refused, saying his patched garment 'absorbs more perspiration'

Abolished the evil custom of human sacrifice at the River Nile in Egypt through a miraculous letter

When Egypt was conquered, the people had a custom of throwing a virgin girl into the Nile to make it flow. Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) sent a letter to the Nile itself, and the water rose 16 yards in a single night

Expanded the Islamic state into Persia, the Levant, and Egypt during his approximately 10-year caliphate

Called towards righteousness even at the time of death — after the assassination attempt, a young man visited to console him. Even in that condition, when the young man turned to leave and his garment was dragging on the ground, Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) called him back and advised: 'O my son! Keep your clothes off the ground; for it will keep them clean and Allah also likes it.'

Offered Salah even when seriously injured after the assassination attempt — when informed it was time for Salah, he said: 'The one who misses his Salah has no contribution in Islam', and then offered Salah despite being critically wounded

  • Two dark lines had developed on his blessed face caused by tears due to excessive weeping out of the fear of Allah — despite being destined for Jannah, he wept so profusely that permanent marks were left

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Would sometimes bring his hands near fire and question himself, 'O son of Khattab! Do you have courage to bear this fire?' — reminding himself of the Hereafter

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Observed fasts continuously for two years before his demise — except for Eid-ul-Adha, Eid-ul-Fitr and when travelling, he would fast on a regular basis

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Would eat no more than seven or nine morsels — extreme simplicity in eating despite ruling a vast empire

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Would wake up his households for Salat-ut-Tahajjud in the night, reciting the Quranic verse: 'And command your household to establish prayer, and yourself be steadfast in it'

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Said: 'To me, offering Salat-ul-Fajr in congregation values more than offering Nafl Salah all the night' — personally went to check on those who missed Fajr in congregation. When he found that Hadrat Sulayman ibn Abi Hasmah (radi Allahu anhu) had missed Fajr, he visited his mother Hadrat Shifa' (radi Allahu anha) to enquire

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • A bowl full of honey was presented to him. Holding it, he said thrice: 'If I drink it, its deliciousness and sweetness will soon end but accountability for it will remain.' He then gave it to someone else

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • When he fell ill and physicians prescribed honey, he was not willing to take it from the treasury without prior permission of the Muslims. He went to the main Masjid and gathered the maximum number of Muslims to seek their permission. Only when people allowed did he use it

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Would gather sand as a pillow when travelling outside cities — lived with extreme simplicity even as leader of the entire Muslim empire

    blog-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Walked barefoot even on Eid day to the prayer ground

    blog-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Asked the children of Madinah to make du'a for his forgiveness — despite being guaranteed Paradise, maintained deep fear of Allah's accountability

    blog-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Was personally giving an oil massage to the camels donated in Sadaqah. When asked why, he replied: 'Who else can be a better servant than me! The one who is a ruler of the Muslims, in fact, is a servant of them.'

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Said: 'Even if a lamb dies on the bank of the Euphrates, Umar will be questioned about it on the Day of Resurrection' — his extraordinary sense of responsibility as Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen. This was narrated by Hadrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) who witnessed him rushing on a camel to retrieve a runaway Sadaqah camel

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Used to say: 'Remember Hell abundantly since it is extremely hot and very deep and its hammers are made up of iron (with which the sinners will be struck)'

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Hatred against heresy — once after Salat-ul-Maghrib he invited a traveller who had asked for food. When the traveller uttered a word giving a sense of heresy while eating, Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) immediately took the food away and expelled him, showing his zero tolerance for corrupt beliefs

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Even when critically wounded after the assassination attempt, when informed it was time for Salah he said: 'O Yes. Listen! The one who misses his Salah, he has no contribution in Islam.' He then offered Salah despite being seriously injured

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Walked barefoot to the Eid prayer ground out of humility

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • When travelling, he would gather sand to use as a pillow rather than seeking comfort

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Determination to disgrace his Nafs (lower self) — he carried a Mashkeezah (water vessel) on his own back through the streets to humiliate his own ego and keep it from becoming arrogant at his great rank as Caliph

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Would go to an orchard alone and admonish himself aloud: 'O Ameer of Muslims! Keep fearing Allah' — showing his constant self-accountability before Allah

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Used to awaken people for the Fajr prayer on his way to the Masjid, ensuring the Muslims of Madinah did not miss the prayer

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Asked the children of Madinah to include him in their du'a (supplication) for forgiveness

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Before crossing knee-high water in Syria, removed his special socks and placed them on his shoulders rather than let them get wet. When Hadrat Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah (radi Allahu anhu) expressed surprise, he replied: 'We were a nation without possessions. Then Allah blessed us with honour through Islam. If we seek honour in anything other than Islam, Allah will humiliate us'

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Cut his long sleeves with a knife upon learning they exceeded the Sunnah length — immediately acting upon the blessed Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

    speech-devotion-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Said upon being appointed Caliph: 'I have been blessed with the company of the Holy Rasool (peace and blessings be upon him), therefore I remained his slave and servant' — attributing all his capabilities to the blessings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

    speech-devotion-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Gave 1,000 dirhams each from the booty of Madain to Hadrat Imam Hasan and Hadrat Imam Husayn (radi Allahu anhuma), but only 500 dirhams to his own son Hadrat Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu). When Hadrat Abdullah protested, Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) replied: 'Bring a father like their father [Hadrat Ali], and a mother like their mother [Hadrat Fatimah], and a maternal grandfather like theirs [the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him] — then I will give you the same.' He preferred the Ahl-e-Bayt over his own children in matters of honour

    speech-devotion-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Victory of Muslims by the call of Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) — while delivering a sermon at Masjid-un-Nabawi in Madinah, he suddenly called out 'O Saariyah! Turn your back towards the mountain!' His voice miraculously reached Hadrat Saariyah (radi Allahu anhu) hundreds of miles away at Nahawand, turning the tide of battle and granting victory to the Muslim army

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Letter to the River Nile — when the people of Egypt requested Hadrat 'Amr Bin 'Aas (radi Allahu anhu) about a custom of throwing a virgin girl into the Nile to make it flow, he wrote to Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu). The Caliph sent a letter addressed to the Nile: 'Do not flow if you flow of your own accord, and if Allah makes you flow, I supplicate to Almighty Allah to make you flow.' The paper was put into the Nile and within a night the water level rose by 16 yards, and the evil custom was completely abolished

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Conversation with the person buried in the grave — he went to visit the grave of a pious young man and said: 'O man! Allah has said: And for one who fears to stand before his Rab, are two Gardens.' The dead person replied loudly twice from inside the grave: 'My Rab has bestowed me with those two gardens.'

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Sudden appearance of two lions — a person found Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) sleeping outside town with his head resting on his whip. The person drew his sword to attack, but two lions suddenly appeared from the unseen and rushed towards him. Terrified, the person screamed and embraced Islam at the hands of Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu)

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Sudden appearance of two lions (second narration) — the king of Rome sent a non-Arab agent to assassinate Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) while he slept. As the agent drew near with his sword, two lions appeared and prevented him. This second account confirms the repeated miraculous protection granted to Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu)

    speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Strike of whip terminated the earthquake — when an earthquake occurred in Madinah Munawwarah, Hadrat Umar Bin Khattab (radi Allahu anhu) became furious and struck his whip on the earth, saying: 'O earth! Stay still. Did I not maintain equity and justice on you?' The earth became still and the earthquake stopped

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • The dead person screamed — a trader named Abul Husayb Basheer was arranging the funeral of a pious man in Iran. As they were preparing the body, it suddenly moved, sat up, bricks fell from its belly, and the dead man started screaming: 'Alas, the fire! Alas, the destruction!' He confessed that his good deeds did not benefit him because he used to abuse Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq and Hadrat Umar Farooq-e-A'zam (radi Allahu anhuma). He was brought back to life as a warning to blasphemers of the blessed companions

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

  • Body remained intact in the grave — when the wall of the blessed Mausoleum fell during the reign of caliph Waleed ibn Abdul Malik and a foot became visible during reconstruction, people feared it was the blessed foot of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Hadrat Urwah ibn Zubayr (radi Allahu anhu) clarified under oath: 'By Allah! This is not the blessed foot of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), rather it is that of Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu).' — confirming his blessed body remained intact

    wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

2nd Caliph of Islam (Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen)

Duration: Approximately 10 years (634-644 CE / 13-23 AH)

Key Achievements
  • Founded the Islamic Hijri calendar — still in use today
  • Established structured bureaucracy and provincial governance system
  • Expanded Islamic state into Persia, the Levant, and Egypt
  • Introduced public welfare: stipends for poor, pensions for elderly, support for orphans and widows
  • Maintained strong justice — upheld rights of all citizens regardless of social status or religion
  • Patrolled streets at night personally to ensure subjects' welfare
  • Abolished evil customs including human sacrifice at the Nile
father

Khattab ibn Nufayl

tribe

Quraysh (Banu 'Adiyy)

son

Hadrat 'Abdullah ibn Umar (radi Allahu anhu) — a great narrator of hadith

Date

1st Muharram-ul-Haraam, 23 AH (644 CE)

Age

63 years old

Manner

Martyred by Abu Lulu Feeroz (a Persian fire worshipper) — stabbed with a dagger during Salat-ul-Fajr

Burial

Buried beside Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (radi Allahu anhu), who had been resting beside the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), in the blessed chamber

The person who discloses my faults to me is dearer to me.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

I have pondered about it; when I intend to improve my worldly life, there seems to be a loss in the afterlife. And when I intend to improve my Hereafter, I observe the loss in my worldly life. So, this is the fact; hence you should (comparing the loss of the afterlife) bear the loss of this mortal world.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Remember Hell abundantly since it is extremely hot and very deep and its hammers are made up of iron (with which the sinners will be struck).

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

If I drink it, its deliciousness and sweetness will soon end but accountability for it will remain.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

To me, offering Salat-ul-Fajr in congregation values more than offering Nafl Salah all the night.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Who else can be a better servant than me! The one who is a ruler of the Muslims, in fact, is a servant of them.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

O Yes. Listen! The one who misses his Salah, he has no contribution in Islam.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

I wish that all these privileges may counterbalance; neither do I owe someone, nor does someone owe me.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

O my son! Keep your clothes off the ground; for it will keep them clean and Allah also likes it.

wonders-umar — Maktaba tul Madina

Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you.

Sayings of the Companions, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina

Learn knowledge and teach it to people. Learn with it dignity and tranquillity, and be humble with those who teach you.

Sayings of the Companions, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina

Beware of filling your stomachs with food and drink, for it damages the body, causes diseases, and makes one lazy in performing Salah.

Sayings of the Companions, p.8 — Maktaba tul Madina

True brotherhood is being by your brother's side at times of need; not just mentioning him and saying: I am your brother!

Sayings of the Companions, p.9 — Maktaba tul Madina

Now, O Umar, your love (for me) is accomplished.

speech-devotion-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

We were a nation without possessions. Then Allah blessed us with honour through Islam. If we seek honour in anything other than Islam, Allah will humiliate us.

speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

Humility is to consider every Muslim you meet to be superior to you.

speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

Surely, you are better than Umar as you fulfil the rights of Allah and your Rasool in a better way than I do.

speech-humbleness-farooq — Maktaba tul Madina

  • 🌟Hadrat Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was so strong and brave that when he became Muslim, the other Muslims were able to pray openly for the first time!
  • 🌟He once wrote a letter to a river and it started flowing again — SubhanAllah! The evil custom of throwing a girl into the Nile was abolished forever!
  • 🌟Even though he was the leader of a huge empire, he would walk barefoot and sleep on sand!
  • 🌟He would eat only seven or nine morsels of food — even though he was the ruler of a vast empire stretching across many countries!
  • 🌟When there was an earthquake in Madinah, he struck his whip on the ground and said 'Stay still!' — and the earthquake stopped!
  • 🌟Two lions appeared from nowhere to protect him while he was sleeping — and the person who came to harm him became Muslim instead!
  • 🌟He had two marks on his face from crying so much out of love and fear of Allah — he was so devoted that even though he was promised Jannah, he still wept in worship!
  • 🌟Even when he was very badly hurt, he still offered his Salah — he said 'The one who misses Salah has no contribution in Islam'!
  • 🌟Even in his last moments before passing away, he noticed a young man's garment was dragging and told him to keep his clothes off the ground — he never stopped teaching good manners right to the end!
Sources: Dawat-e-Islami / Maktaba tul Madina | Last updated: 2026-03-01

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