O-Level Islamiyat (2058) notes by Hassaan Mian – LGS JT, Beaconhouse, SICAS, Newlands, The City School
Hazrat Umar Ibn Al-Khattab RA
Hazrat Umar RA was born in 583 AD, in Banu Adi, a tribe of Quraish in Makkah. He was 13 years
younger than the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺand in the beginning, was one of the fiercest enemies
of Islam but later became one of the Ten Blessed Companions (Ashra Mubashra), of the Holy
Prophet ﷺ. Illiteracy was common in the pre-Islamic era; not many knew how to read or write and
would rely solely on memory. Hazrat Umar RA, however, was among the few who had learnt to
read and write in his youth. He was familiar with the art and science of genetics and knew the history
of Arabia well. He was very brave and was a well-known wrestler, debater, and spirited person in
his youth. Hazrat Umar RA was also famous for his flawless horse-riding skills and was a renowned
public speaker and successful ambassador of the Quraish.
In the beginning, he was a bitter enemy of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, so much so that, one day he planned
on killing the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. While he was on his way to execute his plan to kill Holy Prophet
ﷺ, he met Nuaym Ibn Abdullah, who told Umar RA about his sister and brother-in-law embracing
Islam. He went to his sister, Fatimah RA’s house where she and her husband, were being taught
Quran by Khabab RA. He inquired about their acceptance of Islam and start quarrelling with them.
Hazrat Umar RA slapped his sister, in such a fashion, that she started bleeding. After witnessing his
sister bleeding, he felt ashamed, and out of guilt, her to show him the pages on which Quran was
written. He recited the Quran after taking a bath; it was the beginning of Surah Taha. Finally, he
came to the verse: “Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish
prayer for My remembrance.” Hazrat Umar RA felt this verse so strongly, that he went to meet
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. When Prophet Muhammad ﷺsaw him, he said, “Umar! What brings you
here”? He said, “I am here to accept Islam.” He embraced Islam in the 6th year of Prophethood,
after the migration to Abyssinia. This incident can be assumed to have happened, as a result of
Prophet ’ﷺs dua, he made to Allah, to strengthen Islam by granting it with either of the 2 Umars-
Umar Ibn Khattab RA or Umar Ibn Hisham. Allah chose Umar Ibn Khattab RA, and Islam was indeed
strengthened, as a strong and influential member of Quraish had accepted it.
Though Hazrat Umar RA had great influence and had accepted Islam, the disbelievers of Makkah
continued to persecute the Muslims. They started gathering around Hazrat Umar RA’s home and
raised slogans saying, “Umar has no religion.”
Witnessing this Aas Ibn Wail, who was a relative of Hazrat Umar RA, told him to stay with him as he
would be safer. Hazrat Umar RA refused, and said that he did not deem it appropriate to seek
refuge whilst his Muslim brothers had to face the persecution.
In the early days of Islam, Muslims were not able to offer Salah publicly due to fear of persecution
by the chiefs of Quraish. But when Hazrat Umar RA accepted Islam, he suggested to the Holy
Prophet ﷺthat they should perform Salah in the Holy Ka’aba, where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, for
the first time led the Muslim prayer. Due to such a fearless proposal of Hazrat Umar RA, he was given
the title of "Al-Farooq" by Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ, which means, “the one who distinguishes between
the right and the wrong”. Prophet ﷺalso stated: “We have been powerful since Umar embraced
Islam”. He also tried to give food to Muslims in any way possible, while they were boycotted by the
Makkans.
During the migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 AD, while everyone travelled, Hazrat Umar RA
stayed behind to offer prayer in Ka’aba, and challenged everyone, to dare to stop him from
offering prayer in the Ka’aba. The Holy Prophet ﷺ, applauded his confidence in the following words,
“I see that devil either from humans or jinn, runs away from Umar.” During all the battles he remained
close to the Holy Prophet ﷺand protected him during Uhad. He shared a camel with Abu Bakr RA
and Abdur Rehman bin AufRAin battle of Badr. He donated half of all his wealth in the Tabuk
expedition. He participated in the construction of Masjid-e-Nabwi. Umar RA dreamt the words of
the Azan, which were ultimately taught to Hazrat Bilal RA and were recited aloud before every
