Hazrat Umar

MAIN ACTIVITIES DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE PROPHET:

Umar belonged to the Banu Ádi clan of the Quraish. His father Al-Khatab was an influential leader of Makkah. Umar was tall, well built, a fierce fighter and well educated. He was elected the spokesperson of Quraish.

He remained a bitter enemy of Islam and the Holy Prophet before his conversion. He treated the early converts of low origin quite mercilessly and according to a tradition the Holy Prophet had prayed to God for the conversion of Umar bin Khattab or Amr bin Hisham (Abu Jahal). The prayer was soon granted. Umar one day decided to kill the Holy Prophet and with that intention started towards his house with a sword. On the way, he was informed that his sister and her husband had embraced Islam. Infuriated, Umar changed his course and went to his sister’s house who was reading the Holy Qur’an loudly. This enraged Umar so much that he attacked her and her husband. On Umar’s insistence his sister recited some verses from Surah Taha. The words of the Holy Qur’an softened his heart and tears began to fall from his eyes and he immediately decided to embrace Islam. He approached the Holy Prophet and embraced Islam. This was a great occasion as the morale of the Muslims boosted so much that now they started offering prayers openly in the Kaabah after Umar took the bold step of entering the Kaabah with a small band of Muslims. The Holy Prophet was so pleased on hearing this that he gave him the title of ‘’Farooq’’ (one who distinguishes between truth and falsehood).

He started preaching Islam openly and boldly. He is counted amongst the 10 blessed companions and is also a scribe of the Divine revelation. His daughter Hafsa was married to the Holy Prophet. He also migrated to Medina shortly after Ammar and Bilal had departed. It was Umar who gave the suggestion of summoning the believers for Daily prayers by Adhaan(call for prayer). He also rendered remarkable services in all the battles including Badr, Uhad, Trench, Khyber and Hunain. He was also present at the treaty of Hudaibiya and took part in Bait-e-Rizwan. He participated in the victorious march to Makkah. In the Tabuk expedition he donated half of his wealth and in the battle of Hunain, he was among those handfuls of Muslims who stood firmly by the side of the Holy Prophet.

Umar was not ready to believe in the death of the Holy Prophet till Abu Bakr called him down by reciting the verse (3:144). Soon after, he started making arrangements for the Holy Prophet’s burial together with Abu Bakr. In the meantime they heard of an Ansar meeting to discuss the issue of succession. Both reached the spot and finally, due to Umar’s wisdom and timely intervention, Abu Bakr got elected as the first Caliph of Islam. Umar himself performed extra ordinary services for Islam during his Caliphate (634-644 AD).

EXPANSION OF THE ISLAMIC EMPIRE:

Fighting with the Persian Empire had begun during the rule of the previous Caliph. Muslim forces defeated the Persian in Namaraq in October 634 AD and crossed the Euphrates. The Persian supreme command then sent a huge force under Bahman. The two armies fought a fierce battle, the Battle of Bridge. Here the Muslims suffered heavy losses including their commander Abu Ubaid bin Zaid.

The Muslims regrouped under Mutanna, in November 634 AD defeated the Persian army led by Mehran in the Battle of Buwaib. Commanding an army of 20,000 troops, Saad bin Abi Waqas met the Persian 120,000 army led by Rustam at Qadisiya. The Battle of Qadisiya thus began in 635 AD. A fierce battle was fought resulting in Rustam’s death. Now Saad and his army advanced to the Persian capital Al-Madain. He laid a siege for several days and the king Yazdigard escaped to north while the Muslims captured Al-Madain. The king was finally defeated at Jalula.

In the meantime the Persians, Romans and Christian Arab tribes combined their forces in upper Iraq near Tekrit. Saad dispatched an army that defeated the joint forces. Saad, on Umar’s advice, founded the new cities Kufa and Basra near Madain for the Muslim armies and their families. Umar completed the final capture and subjugation of Persia in the Battle of Nihawand in 642 AD, marking the end of the Sassanid Dynasty in Persia.

In Syria the Muslim forces were advancing rapidly when Umar became the Caliph. Khalid bin Waleed added Damacus, Jordan and Emmessa, one after another to the Muslim Empire. After the loss of these important cities the Roman Emperor sent an army of 260,000 men against the Muslims. This force too was defeated in 635 AD in the Battle of Yarmouk under the leadership of Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah. Many other important Syrian towns were also captured leaving only Jerusalam and its surrounding towns. Finally Jerusalem was also taken in a peaceful manner on the request of Patriarch Sophronius. He requested that the ‘king’ of Muslims should himself come and receive the keys of the city. Umar himself met Sophronius and signed a peace treaty under which full religious freedom was given to the citizens of Jerusalem on the condition of paying Jizya. Sanctity of the Church of Resurrection and other churches was also guaranteed.

Finally Egypt was also conquered in 640 AD by Amr bin Al-Aas who had to persuade Umar with great difficulty. Amr bin Al-Aas argued that Egypt could be used by the Romans as the naval base to launch operations against the Muslims. By April 641 AD Babylon was also captured and the new city of Fustat was founded in 642 AD on the eastern bank of the Nile. Umar appointed able and efficient governors in all these conquered territories.

ADMINISTRATION:

Hazrat Umar framed the constitution of the State on the basis of democracy. He established a Majlis-e-Shoora consisting of prominent companions of the Holy Prophet from both Muhajirin and Ansaar. The Muslim Empire had grown tremendously in size and therefore it was inevitable (unavoidable) to divide it further into a greater number of provinces. Each province was governed by a governor or Wali who held the executive authority. The Wali was assisted by a number of officers e.g. the Treasury Officer, the Revenue Collector, the Vigilance Officer and the Judge (Qazi). Each province was divided into districts which were administered by Amils. All appointments were made in consultation with the Majlis-e-Shoora. All the officers were summoned to Makkah on the occasion of Hajj to be answerable to the Caliph. They were paid handsome salaries to make them incorruptible. The Caliph himself was the central authority with the headship of religious and non-religious departments but he would always consult the Shoora in all important matters. In order to uphold Islamic morals and maintain law and order, Umar set up a department of police (shurta).

Umar reorganized the ‘bait-al-maal’ or public treasury, which was soon full to the brims with the funds from various sources. These sources were: Zakat, Jizya, Kharaj (land tax), Ushr (special land tax), the goods left out by the retreating armies of the enemy and a tax paid by non-Muslim traders. Special care was taken to distribute the funds among the poor and the disabled. Umar established a special department, the Diwan or the Register of Pensions. It was aimed at disbursement of the public funds among the Muslim tribes. It was based on certain principles, for example, the whole Ummah had a share in the public funds. Secondly, each Muslim had a share according to his/her relationship with the Prophet, priority in accepting Islam and services to Islam. Huge spending were made in the construction of mosques, schools, office buildings, canals, rest houses and expansion of the Haram and the mosque of the Prophet. Umar founded some new cities like Basrah and Kufa in Iraq and Fustat and Jizah in Egypt. Umar also introduced the Hijrah calendar. This makes a long list of the reforms and development projects introduced by Umar.

MAIN ACTIVITIES DURING HIS CALIPHATE:

Umar succeeded Abu Bakr as the second Caliph in 634/13AH and continued the mission of the first Caliph till his martyrdom in 644/23AH. Abu Bakr himself nominated him as his successor. His Caliphate is noted by internal consolidation (combine things into one large unit) of the Muslim empire accompanied by the expansion of Islamic rule by conquering the lands under the Persian and Byzantine Empires which included Iraq, Persia, Jerusalem and Egypt. His rule was surely the golden period in Muslim history after the death of the Holy Prophet.

The conquest of Persia had been started during Abu Bakr’s Caliphate by the Muslim forces and finally Persia was totally defeated in 643 AD.

As for conquests in Syria, the Muslim forces were advancing rapidly in Syria when Umar became Caliph. Khalid bin Waleed laid siege to Damascus till September 635AD and finally entered the city as victor and signed a peace treaty. After this Abu Ubaidah replaced Khalid as the chief commander of the Muslim army and recaptured Damascus decisively in September 636. Other important towns in Syria on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea were also captured. Only Jerusalem, Ramallah and Caesarea continued to resist. Finally Jerusalem was also taken in a peaceful manner on the request of Patriarch Sophronius. Umar himself met Sophronius and signed a peace treaty under which full religious freedom was given to the citizens of Jerusalem on the condition of paying Jizya. Sanctity of the Church of Resurrection and other churches was also guaranteed. Towards the end of 639AD, Amr bin Aas, with the permission of the Khalifa set from Jerusalem for Egypt. Egypt was conquered by his strategic planning. By April 641AD Babylon was also captured. Umar appointed able and efficient governors in all these conquered territories under his wonderful administrative system.

Hazrat Umar framed the constitution of the State on the basis of democracy. He established a Majlis-e-Shoora consisting of prominent companions of the Holy Prophet from both Muhajirin and Ansaar. The Muslim Empire had grown tremendously in size and therefore it was inevitable (unavoidable) to divide it further into a greater number of provinces. Each province was governed by a governor or Wali who held the executive authority. The Wali was assisted by a number of officers e.g. the Treasury Officer, the Revenue Collector, the Vigilance Officer and the Judge (Qazi). Each province was divided into districts which were administered by Amils. All appointments were made in consultation with the Majlis-e-Shoora. All the officers were summoned to Makkah on the occasion of Hajj to be answerable to the Caliph. They were paid handsome salaries to make them incorruptible. The Caliph himself was the central authority with the headship of religious and non-religious departments but he would always consult the Shoora in all important matters. In order to uphold Islamic morals and maintain law and order, Umar set up a department of police (shurta).

Umar reorganized the ‘bait-al-maal’ or public treasury, which was soon full to the brims with the funds from various sources. These sources were: Zakat, Jizya, Kharaj (land tax), Ushr (special land tax), the goods left out by the retreating armies of the enemy and a tax paid by non-Muslim traders. Special care was taken to distribute funds among the poor and the disabled. Umar established a special department, the Diwan or the Register of Pensions. It was aimed at disbursement of the public funds among the Muslim tribes. It was based on certain principles, for example, the whole Ummah had a share in the public funds. Secondly, each Muslim had a share according to his/her relationship with the Prophet, priority in accepting Islam and services to Islam. Huge spending were made in the construction of mosques, schools, office buildings, canals, rest houses and expansion of the Haram and the mosque of the Prophet. Umar founded some new cities like Basrah and Kufa in Iraq and Fustat and Jizah in Egypt. Umar also introduced the Hijrah calendar. This makes a long list of the reforms and development projects introduced by Umar.

DIFFICULTIES FACED BY UMAR:

Although Umar continued the policies of Abu Bakr, the difference in their temperaments and circumstances dictated the manner in which they followed these policies. The period of Abu Bakr needed more tolerance as well as quick action but during the period of Umar, the situation was calmer and controllable. The first difficulty faced by Umar was that the people feared him due to his hard attitude. They were hesitant to bring their problems to him. But he proved over a period of time that his harshness was for the wrong doers only, while he was quite soft towards other people.

Another difficulty was the administration of the vast Islamic Empire. The borders of the Islamic welfare state had extended as far as Afghanistan, Africa and Europe. The communication system during those days was not as efficient as today. He fought against all the hindrances in administrating a large Empire and ensured the governance of justice and reasonable accountability.

The two superpowers of the time namely, the Persian and Byzantine Empires were busy plotting conspiracies against the Islamic state. It was Umar who defeated both these empires and established the Islamic state as a superpower in Africa and Asia.

Lastly the Muslim army consisted of soldiers belonging to different areas and cultures. The army campaign against several countries at a time could have turned out to be a failure because of the differences among the soldiers. It was the ideal administration of Umar which ensured marvellous discipline among the forces. The atmosphere in the army was exemplary and it looked as if they were the people of one tribe.

DEATH AND WHAT IT TELLS US ABOUT HIS CHARACTER:

Umar was martyred by Firoz, a Presian slave of Mugheera in November 644. Firoz was unhappy with one of Umar’s verdicts regarding the amount of daily payment he made to his master. Abu Lulu (Firoz) openly threatened to kill Umar. Certain people recommended that Firoz should be arrested, but Umar refused to do so. He thus laid down a law that a citizen could not be arrested on grounds of suspicion or perceived danger. Umar neither had a personal bodyguard nor a protocol entourage. He was attacked totally unguarded. One day, while he was leading the prayer, Firoz stabbed him with a poisoned dagger. He also killed several other worshippers as he tried to escape. When he was finally caught, he slit his own throat. Umar survived for some days. During this period, he nominated a panel of six people: Ali, Usman, Talha, Zubair, Abdur Rehman bin Auf and Saad bin Abi Waqas to hold mutual consultation and select his successor from among them.

His death shows us that he had a thorough sense of fairness and that was the reason for his refusal to give Firoz the relaxation in the payment he had to make to his master. This noble attitude of his cost him his life. Umar’s fearless attitude portrays his strong belief in Allah as the Giver and Taker of life. This incident also reflects his simple lifestyle, that the head of the largest empire in history was easily accessible and roamed around like an ordinary citizen.

He was buried alongside the Prophet and Abu Bakr in Medina. This shows his special status in the first Muslim community, his tough and principled stand and the taxation matter reflects the integrity (honour, truthfulness) of his character.

SHORT ACCOUNT OF UMAR’S LIFE:

Umar bin Khattab was a bitter enemy of Islam and the Holy Prophet before his conversion. He treated the early converts of low origin quite mercilessly and according to a tradition the Holy Prophet had prayed to God for the conversion of Umar bin Khattab or Amr bin Hisham (Abu Jahal). The prayer was soon granted. He started preaching Islam boldly and openly. He is counted as one of the 10 blessed companions and is also a scribe of Divine revelations. His daughter Hafsa was married to the Holy Prophet. It was Umar who gave the suggestion of summoning the believers for Daily prayers by Adhaan(call for prayer). He also rendered remarkable services in all the battles including Badr, Uhad, Trench, Khyber and Hunain. The Holy Prophet said, ‘’the sun has not risen over a man better than Umar.’’

Abu Bakr himself nominated him as his successor. His Caliphate is noted by internal consolidation (combine things into one large unit) of the Muslim empire accompanied by the expansion of Islamic rule by conquering the lands under the Persian and Byzantine Empires which included Iraq, Persia, Jerusalem and Egypt. His rule was surely the golden period in Muslim history after the death of the Holy Prophet. He appointed able and efficient governors in all these conquered territories under his wonderful administrative system. Umar was finally martyred by Firoz, a Persian slave in 644 while offering the Morning Prayer. He was buried alongside the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr in Medina.

Umar left behind him an effective system of administration throughout his empire by appointing extremely efficient governors and Qadis (judges) and other state officials. His Caliphate brought a great deal of propriety (respectability) and strength for the Muslims.

HIS IMPORTANCE/SIGNIFICANCE IN ISLAMIC HISTORY:

Umar was one of the early converts of Islam. His conversion gave the morale of the Muslims a significant boost. He devoted his life and energy to the cause of Islam and openly supported the Holy Prophet throughout his mission in Makkah and Medina. He performed valuable services in all the major battles fought against the enemies of Islam. He placed about half of his wealth at the disposal of the Holy Prophet on the occasion of the Tabuk expedition. He played a vital role in the election of Abu Bakr. He also convinced Abu Bakr to allow the compilation of the Holy Quran in a book form.

His own Caliphate was the most successful and glorious period of early Islamic history. He not only consolidated the new Muslim Empire by establishing an effective system of governance, but also expanded its borders by capturing Persia, Syria, Palestine, Jerusalem and the fertile land of Egypt. He himself led a simple and pious life and conducted patrolling at night to ensure the peace and comfort of his people. He laid down the foundations of a lasting administrative system by dividing the Empire into provinces and by placing them under able administrators, governors and Qazis (judges).

HOW HIS CONVERSION HELPED THE YOUNG MUSLIM COMMUNITY:

Umar was a powerful Makkan both physically and socially. He was an open persecutor and oppressor of Muslims. Conversion of Umar was an important event for the early Muslim community in Makkah that lived a very hard life. The Prophet had prayed to God for the conversion of Umar bin Khattab or Amr bin Hasham (Abu Jahal) and therefore, he expressed satisfaction over the conversion of Umar. Umar, known for his fiery and impulsive nature, made his conversion public in a bold manner. He was the most open about public praying. This raised the confidence of the persecuted Muslim community. Muslims could not pray at the Kaabah until he became a Muslim. They now began to offer prayer openly in the Kaabah without any fear. Umar’s physical and social strength, after his conversion, was dedicated to the growth of Islam and raising the morale of the Muslims in Makkah (and later in Medina). The Prophet, in recognition of Umar’s conversion, gave him the title of Al-Farooq (the one who can differentiate between the truth and falsehood).
LIST OF QUESTIONS

4 (a) Write an account of the main activities of Hazrat `Umar

(i)                During the lifetime of the Prophet, and

(ii)             During his caliphate. [2 x 6]

(b) What does the manner of Hazrat Umar’s death, tell us about his character? [4]

(a) (i) • He converted to Islam when he heard a passage of the Qur’an being recited [here allow 1 mark for the basic point, and allow a further 1 mark for details, e.g. that he was on his way to kill the Prophet; that he surprised his sister and her husband hearing the Qur’an recited; that he was going to destroy this passage, but relented when he read it].

• In Makka he had a reputation as a fierce and strong fighter.

• His conversion gave courage to the Muslims in Makka.

• In Makka he proved a great help because he was able to protect the Prophet from attacks.

• He made the Hijra to Madina with the other Muslims.

• There he was always close to the Prophet in battles [allow a further 1 mark for details, such as his defending the Prophet at Uhud, and his digging the trench before Khandaq].

• His ties with the Prophet were strengthened when the Prophet married his daughter Hafsa.

• He objected to the terms of the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya because they disadvantaged the Prophet.

• He took part in the expeditions to the north that were organised towards the end of the Prophet’s life.

(ii) • He oversaw the expansion of the empire into Syria, Persia, Iraq and Egypt [allow 1 mark for the basic point, a further 1 mark for details, and an additional 1 mark for names of battles and dates].

• He personally accepted the surrender of Jerusalem [1 mark for the basic point, and a further 1 mark for details].

• The agreements he made with conquered non-Muslims formed the basis of later legislation about Dhimmis.

• He oversaw many important administrative measures [1 mark for the basic point, a further 1 mark for details such as the diwan which listed those entitled to pensions from the state, the institution of the position of judge, and a further 1 mark for full details of more than one of his measures]

(b) • Umar was killed by his slave (Abu Lu’lu’a).

• The reason was that he refused to excuse him from paying a tax.

• This is characteristic of `Umar’s total impartiality and refusal to allow concessions even to those close to him.

• He was stern about the correct observance of all regulations [allow 1 mark for any examples that illustrate this characteristic].

• He was buried near the Prophet, which shows he was held in high honour

(b) What does the way he died tell us about his character? [4]

Candidates might begin by showing signs that they have some knowledge of how the caliph died. Some might go on to describe how ‘Umar was assassinated by his servant. However a more complete answer will explain why the servant killed his master, and will show an awareness of the severe fairness of ‘Umar this reveals. It was ‘Umar’s scrupulous sense of fairness that was the reason for his refusal to give preferential treatment to his slave despite his relationship with him which led to his assassination.

Another version regarding ‘Umar’s assassination is that he was killed by a Persian slave Firoz, who was owned by Mughira b. Shuba. Firoz wanted a reduction in the daily payment he made to his master. ‘Umar rejected his claim and so in anger Firoz stabbed him at dawn prayers the next day.

3: Trace the expansion of the Islamic empire under the rule of the caliph Umar. [10]

Basic answers may show some knowledge of the main battles and areas brought under Muslim rule during the caliphate of Umar. Better answers will be able to expand on the points made earlier and be able to name and date the main battles. Some of the important dates/battles are: 636AD/15AH battle of Yarmuk, 638AD/17AH battle of al-Qadisiyya, 642AD/21AH battle of Nihawand. Better candidates should be able to give a coherent account of the progress of Muslim armies, the battles won and the land captured. Fully detailed and dated answers showing a gradual expansion of the answer will enable the candidates to get top range marks.

In what ways did the conversion of ‘Umar help the young Muslim community? [4]

Good answers here should show an understanding of the significance of ‘Umar’s conversion.

Answers could talk about how his conversion boosted Muslim morale. He was an open persecutor and oppressor of Muslims, but upon conversion was the most open about public praying. Muslims couldn’t pray at the Ka’ba until he became Muslim. He helped the Muslims gain confidence in practising Islam openly; no-one dared interfere with ‘Umar when he was praying. He was known for his temper and his physical strength. All this gave a physical protection to the vulnerable Muslims.

Conversion of Umar (Nov ’09 paper 1):

‘Umar: he was initially angry at the prophet and the new message he was preaching and set out to kill him; on his way he was told his own sister and brother-in-law had converted and so went there; overheard recitation of part of sura Ta Ha; when he read the words himself he went to accept Islam; he had a reputation of being the fiercest man in Makka and so his conversion provided Muslims some protection; he fought Qur’aysh until Muslims could pray at the Ka’ba.

June 2011(2)

Write a detailed account of the administrative measures put in place by ‘Umar during his caliphate. [10]

Candidates could give a basic answer by saying that the Islamic empire expanded rapidly during his caliphate and he undertook many administrative measures to manage the affairs of the state in an effective manner and they could go on to list a few of the measures he took. A few examples are: he divided the state into several provinces and appointed qualified governors called Wali; he separated the judiciary from the executive to make it completely impartial. The Qadi was the head of the judiciary; he established a department of finance under the name of Dewan etc. Candidates could discuss some or many of ‘Umar’s administrative measures, however the more developed answers would discuss the more important measures in some detail.

Umar’s caliphate is regarded as the golden period of early Islamic history.”

Discuss. [4]

Some candidates could compare ‘Umar’s caliphate with those of other caliphs and give comparisons between them to support their answer. If candidates agree with the statement then they need to show why and similarly if they disagree they need to back up their answer with reasons. Answers could write about how this period witnessed a lasting process of internal consolidation, peace and stability as well as prosperity as a direct result of a comprehensive and well built infrastructure and at the same time how the borders of the empire were hugely expanded and made secure.