Glimpses into the life of Umar Farooq

A Sahaba's dream

2007-11-22T01:29:00.000+04:00

Hadhrat Abbas (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates: “A year after Umar’s demise, I supplicated to Allah for him (Umar) to appear in my dream. Thus, after a year I saw him in a dream wiping the perspiration from his forehead.

I said: ‘May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! O Amirul Mu’mineen! What is this condition?’ He replied: ‘I have just now been released (from the Reckoning). I was close to destruction, but I found Allah Ta’ala Most Merciful.’ ”

Source: Hadhrat Umar Farooq (radhiyallahu anhu)

Umar's Wish

2007-10-01T17:10:00.000+04:00

Umar (ra) was a visionary person, one of the strongest human beings this humanity has ever seen.
Once Umar(ra) was sitting amongst the sahabah who were having a fruitful discussion, as always.
He posed a question to all the Sahabas- Wish something from Allah (swt), so that Allah (swt) would give it to you. So what is it that you wish from Allah?

One of the sahabas said, "I wish Allah (swt) would give me tons of money so that I could spend it on charity". Another said, "I wish for tonnes of gold and silver equal to the mountains so that I can also spend it in His cause."
When it was Umar(ra)'s turn, he said:
I wish strong human beings like Abu Ubaidah ibn Al Jarrah, Talhah ibn Obaidallah, and Zubair ibn Awwam, so that they can help me spread the word of Allah (swt).

Source: An audio lecture on How the Sahabas Spent their Ramadan by Ibrahim Negm on Young Muslims site, downloadable here.

The Weeping of Umar (radhiAllahu 'anhu) II

2007-09-29T13:22:00.000+04:00

the most telling example of a man who few would think would cry because of Allah is Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. He was known for being strong, fearless, and uncompromising when it came to matters of faith. Yet, Abdullah ibn Isa said that Umar had two black streaks on his face because of constant weeping.

He feared Allah so much that he once said, "If someone announced from the heavens that everybody will enter Paradise except one person, I would fear that that person would be me."

Umar was one of the strongest believers. Yet he cried and feared Allah.

Source: Crying in Front of Allah-It's not impossible

See also: The Weeping of Umar (radhiAllahu 'anhu) I

To know one

2007-09-05T17:48:00.000+04:00

A man came to Umar ibn al-Khattab and spoke in praise of another. Umar asked him: “Are you his nearest neighbor such that you know his goings and his comings?”

“No.”

“Have you been his companion on a journey so that you could see evidence of his good character?”

“No.”

“Have you had dealings with him involving dinars and dirhams [money] which would indicate the piety of the man?”

“No.”

“I think you saw him standing in the mosque muttering the Quran and moving his head up and down?”

“Yes.”

“Go, for you do not know him...”

And to the man in question, Umar said, “Go and bring me someone who knows you.”

Source:quoted from Islam The Natural Way by Abdul Wahid Hamid, p. 66

‘Umar and the Eloquent Woman

2007-09-02T23:58:00.000+04:00

Ash-Sha’bi (ra) reported that Ka’b Bin Sur was sitting with ‘Umar when a woman came and said, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen! I have never seen a man better then my husband. By Allah, he prays the night and fasts the day.” Upon hearing this, ‘Umar praised the woman and supplicated for her, and she shyly departed. Ka’b then said, “O Ameer al-Mu’mineen! Shouldn’t you have considered her accusation against her husband, for she indeed was quite eloquent in her complaint!” ‘Umar replied, “Why do you not judge between them, for you have understood about her situation that which I did not.”
[After he judged], ‘Umar said, “By Allah, your first understanding (of her situation) is not more amazing then the second (the judgement). I hereby appoint you as judge over Al-Basrah, and indeed, you are a remarkable judge.”

Source: Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah and others
Taken from: Al’ ilmun Nafi’

Captives of Badr

2007-08-31T22:11:00.000+04:00

About the fate of the captives of Badr, Abu Bakr and Umar held contrary views. Abu Bakr took the lenient view, while Umar took the sterner view.

After taking into consideration both the views, the Holy Prophet said: "Almighty God softens the hearts of some people-softer than milk. And He hardens the hearts of some people-harder than stone."

Turning to Abu Bakr who had counselled a lenient view, the Holy Prophet said: "Abu Bakr you are like Abraham who said, 'He who follows me is one of us, and he who disobeys me, then O God, You are gracious enough to forgive'. And Abu Bakr you are also like Jesus who said, 'If you punish them they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, You are All Powerful, Mighty and Wise."

Turning to Umar, the Holy Prophet said: Umar, you are like Noah who said, 'O God, do not leave on the earth a single unbeliever.' And Umar you are also like Moses who said, 'O God destroy their properties and harden their hearts so that they are not converted till they have suffered punishment."

The Holy Prophet accepted the advice of Abu Bakr and acted accordingly.

The following day, Umar visited the Holy Prophet, and saw that both the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr were weeping.

Umar addressing the Holy Prophet said: "What is it that makes you weep. Tell me, so that if there is any matter to be grieved over, I may also weep with you."

The Holy Prophet said: "Umar, there is nothing for you to be grieved over. On the other hand you should rejoice that God has upheld the view that you had taken about the captives of Badr, and admonished those who had taken a contrary view."

Umar's curiosity was awakened and he wanted know what exactly was the revelation. The Holy Prophet recited the verses that had been revealed:

"It is not fitting for an Apostle
That he should have prisoners of war,
Until he has thoroughly subdued the land.
Ye look on the temporal goods of this world,
But God looks to the Hereafter,
And God is Exalted, Mighty, and Wise." (8:67)

Source: Khalifa Umar bin al-Khattab

Witnesses

2007-08-27T19:28:00.000+04:00

Narrated ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab:

People were (sometimes) judged by the revealing of a Divine Inspiration during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle but now there is no longer any more (new revelation). Now we judge you by the deeds you practice publicly, so we will trust and favor the one who does good deeds in front of us, and we will not call him to account about what he is really doing in secret, for Allah will judge him for that; but we will not trust or believe the one who presents to us with an evil deed even if he claims that his intentions were good.

Taken from: Witnesses
Source: Volume 3, Book 48, Number 809 : Sahih Bukhari

Accountability

2007-08-19T06:11:00.000+04:00

According to Thabit ibn Hajjaj, Umar ibn Khattab once said, "Weigh your actions before they are weighed, and reckon with yourself before you are reckoned with, for today's reckoning will be easier than tomorrow's. And prepare yourself for the great appearance (of the Judgement Day)".

Source: Hilyat Al-Auliya, Pg 48, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

'Umar b. al-Khattab’s Words on Salah

2007-08-15T15:46:00.000+04:00

`Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) became unconscious after he was stabbed, and according to Al Miswar bin Makhramah, it was said: “Nothing would wake him up except the call to prayer, if he is still alive.”

They said to him, “The prayer has finished, O Chief of the Faithful!”

He woke up and said, “The prayer, by Allah! Verily, there is no share in Islam for whoever abandons the prayer.”
He performed the prayer while his wound was bleeding.

Source: Sifat as Safwah 2/131

Taken from: ‘Umar b. al-Khattab’s Words on Salah

Being methodical

2007-08-14T01:10:00.000+04:00

During the caliphate of Umar, Abu Hurayrah brought 800,000 dirhams from Abu Musa Ashari to Madinah. After the morning prayer, Umar informed the Muslims about this new intake of revenue. In all Islamic history, we have not, till now, received such a sum of money. In my opinion, it should be divided into equal portions and distributed among the people."

when he asked the gathering what they thought, Uthman offered his opinion. "In order to give to everyone, a considerable amount of money will be needed. If people are not counted, it will be impossible to tell who has received it, and who hasn't. This will result in confusion". Hearing this, Walid ibn Hisham said, "Commander of the Faithful, when I was in Syria, I saw that the rulers there had compiled registers for this purpose, and had appointed people to maintain them. You might like to do likewise."

Umar accepted this advice and delegated the task of compiling registers to Aqil ibn Abu Talib, Makhramah ibn Nawfal and Jubayr ibn Mutim.

Source: Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqat, Pg 218, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Making the Qur'an ones greatest preoccupation

2007-08-06T19:58:00.000+04:00

Whenever officials were to be despatched on missions, Umar would make them promise not to ride on Turkish horses, eat fine flour or wear silken clothes, and not to close their doors to the needy. He warned them that if they fell into any of these errors, they would be punished. Then, having extracted this promise from them, he would send them off. If Umar had to relieve some official of his duties, he would say to them:
"I did not appoint you to lord over the Muslims so that you could indulge in carnage and despoil them of their honour and their property. I appointed you to establish prayer, to distribute the spoils of war and to make just decisions concerning them"

[Al Bayhaqi, Al-Sunan Al Kubra]

Abu Hasin relates how Umar used to tell newly appointed officials to make the Qur'an their greates preoccupation and to place less emphasis on relating the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad: "And I am with you," he would add.

[Al Tabarani]

Source: Pg 254, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Wealth can be of use in this world and the next

2007-07-31T17:20:00.000+04:00

Umar entrusted some official duty to Abu Ubaydah ibn Jarrah for which he gave him one thousand dinars. The latter returned the sum, saying: "Ibn Khattab, I did this work, not for you, but for the sake of Allah; I will not, therefore, accept any payment." Umar then said to Abu Ubaydah: "When the Prophet used to send us on errands, he would recompense us, and if we showed reluctance to accept what he gave, he told us we ought not to demur as it would be of assistance to us in matters pertaining both to our worldly affairs and to our religion." On hearing this, Abu Ubaydah accepted what Umar offered him.

Source: Al Bayhaqi, Al-Sunan Al-Kubra, Pg 198, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Thriving on criticism

2007-07-31T17:16:00.000+04:00

Addressing Abu Ubaidah and Muadh, the second Caliph Umar ibn Khattab said, "Keep a watch on me: I am ever in need of your vigilence"

Source: Pg 188, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

A believer is satisfied, not by giving vent to his anger, but by controlling it

2007-07-29T06:31:00.000+04:00

Said Umar: "For a servant of God, there is nothing sweeter than the swallowing of his own anger. Neither milk nor honey can be compared to it."

Source: Ahmad, Musnad, Pg 188, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Refraining from subjecting people to inconvenience

2007-07-24T08:17:00.000+04:00

During a pilgrimage, Umar ibn Khattab saw a leprous woman going round the Ka'bah. "Maiden of God", he said, "it would be better if you were to sit at home; people would not be troubled by your presence." (Malik). The woman did as she was bade, and sat at home. After some time, a passer-by told her of the death of Umar, who had been one to advice her to stay at home. "Now", said the man, "You can go out!"

The woman replied, "I did not obey him while he was alive only to disobey him now that he is dead."

Source: Kanzul Ummal, Pg 244, An Islamic treasury of virtues by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

Daughter of Islam

2007-07-19T01:24:00.000+04:00

Caliph Omar was a leader in the city of Madina, in Saudi Arabia. At night he would walk around the city to see if everything was okay or if something was wrong. He would try to fix things so that everybody would be okay. One night, he went in a costume so that people wouldn't know it was him. (He did it all the time.) He went with a friend named Ibn Abbas, and they went to all parts of the city, and finally to a neighborhood where very poor people lived.
When he was walking by a very small house, he heard a mother telling her daughter to put water in the milk to sell it so that they would get more money. The daughter told her mom that she did that before they were Muslims, but now that they are Muslim, they cannot add things to the milk. The mother told her to put water in the milk. The daughter said, "No. The Caliph said that we should not add things to the milk."

The mother said, "We are too poor. It is the only way we can get money for even some bread. The Caliph has forgotten us, and he won't know what we did."
The daughter said, "But it is against the law, and I won't break the Caliph's rules, and fool other Muslims."

The daughter wouldn't let her mother put water in the milk because, she knew in her own heart that it was wrong, and she knew that Allah would know.

The mother did not say anything so they both went to sleep.

The next day, Caliph Umar sent a man to buy milk from the girl. The milk didn't have water added to it. The girl did what she knew was right.

Caliph Umar said to his friend, "The girl stayed strong even when her mother wanted her to do something wrong. She deserves a reward. What reward should I give her?'

"She should be paid some money," said lbn Abbas.
Caliph Umar said, "A girl like her would be a great mother. She doesn't stop doing what is right even if she will get money for it. Because she is so good, she should be given the greatest gift in the nation, because everyone in the nation should learn how to be good like her."

The Caliph sent for the girl and her mother to come to his court. The mother shivered because she was afraid when she stood before the mighty ruler, but the girl stood boldly and without fear. She was beautiful, and she stood straight and tall.

Then, in front of everyone, Caliph Umar told how he had overheard the mother and the daughter talking about adding water to the milk, and how the girl had done what was right, even when her mother told her not to.

Someone said that the mother should be punished, but the Caliph said that usually he would, but he had forgiven her because her daughter was so good. Then he turned to the girl and said, "Islam needs daughters like you and as a Caliph of Islam, it is my job to reward you, and I would like to reward you by having you as my daughter."

Then the Caliph called his sons and said to them, "Here is a wonderful girl who would make a great mother. I want one of you to take this girl as a wife. I don't know a better bride than this girl who is so good."

Abdullah and Abdur Rhaman, the oldest sons of the Caliph were already married. Asim, the third son wasn't married yet, and he offered to marry the girl. When the girl and her mother agreed, Asim married the girl and the milkmaid became the daughter-in-law of the Caliph.

Source: Stories from Around the World, written in the words of Aisha, Bilal and Omer Choudhry - ages 9, 7 and 7 :)

New Contributor

2007-07-19T00:41:00.000+04:00

Inshallah this blog is going to be revived, because there's a another contributor now, whom I'd like to welcome!

Can't wait to continue learning in the footsteps of Umar (ra).

In fact, if you have short stories and quotes of Umar (ra) and want to contribute, leave me a comment.
-Humairah

Posting

2007-03-24T10:20:00.000+04:00

Subhanallah, I didn't realise I haven't posted in almost a month. I need to get more reference material and books, inshallah.

Patience

2007-02-28T06:04:00.000+04:00

Umar (ra) said: 'We achieve the best living by Sabr"

Source: Pg 289, Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (pbuh) by Imam Al Jauziyah

Umar's dua after reciting the Qur'an

2007-02-20T20:23:00.000+04:00

اللهمَ ارزُقنى التفكُّر و التدَبُّر بما يتلوهُ لسانى من كتابِك ، و الفهمَ لهُ ، والمَعرِفَةَ بِمعانيهِ ، والنَّظرَ فى غجآئِبِهِ ، والعَمَلَ بِذٰلِك ما بقِيتُ اِنَّكَ علىٰ كلِّى شَيءٍ قديرٌ
Oh Allah! grant me the ability to reflect and ponder on, and to understand whatever my tongue reads from your Book (Qur'an); and to go into the depts of its meanings and to recognise its wonders; and to act according to it as long as I live. Indeed You have power over everything.

Source: Al Huda International Institute

Market business rule

2007-02-20T01:21:00.000+04:00

Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab said:
“No one who has not gained knowledge of our religion may enter our markets; otherwise, they will fall into usury whether they like it or not.”

Source: Sharh Ihya’ `Ulum al-Din,Kitab al-Ilm

Umar's fear

2007-02-19T23:13:00.000+04:00

`Umar bin Khattab he was so firm in his practice of Islam that he usually could sense what was right or wrong before the Prophet (pbuh) had informed others of it. He used to say to his friends: If a mule stumbles near the Euphrates River, I fear being questioned by Allah as to why I had not paved the road for it.

Source: Umar bin Al-Khattab: The Second Caliph of Islam -The Golden Series of the Prophet's Companions

Umar sleeping under a tree

2007-02-10T01:38:00.000+04:00

One afternoon a Roman emissary arrived in Madinah on important diplomatic business with the Caliph. When he enquired as to the whereabouts of Umar (RA), he was directed to a man sleeping peacefully under a tree: with no bodyguards, no weapons, no fortifications and no security. The Roman messenger marvelled at this sight: the sight of the leader of millions of people sleeping peacefully under a tree without a care in the world. He then remarked his famous words that remain etched into history until today: “O Umar! You ruled. You were just. Thus you were safe. And thus you slept.”

Source: Babar Ahmed, The Stone of Justice
Note: If someone can find the proper source of the story, I'd really appreciate it. I'll look for it as well.

Note (added Feb 13): The story is on Wikipedia as well.

Rasoolullah said about Umar

2007-02-02T01:48:00.000+04:00

The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:

I see that devil either from humans or jinn, runs away from Umar. (Tirmidhi)

I saw in a dream that I was given a bowl of milk which I drunk and remaining I gave it to Umar. (Tirmidhi)

No doubt, Allah has issue truth, on the tongue and in the heart of Umar. (Tirmidhi)

If some else Prophet should have been proposed by Allah after me, would have been Umar bin Khattab. (Tirmidhi)

Source: Hazrat Umar-e-Farooq (r.a)

Umar writes to Abu Ubaidah

2007-01-20T05:08:00.000+04:00

On August 22, 634 (22nd Jamadi-ul-Akhir, 13 Hijri), Abu Bakr died and Umar became Caliph. On the same day the new Caliph issued his first order: Khalid was dismissed from the command of the Muslim army in Syria! He wrote to Abu Ubaidah as follows:

In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful.

I urge upon you the fear of Allah who lives eternally while everything else perishes; who has guided us away from wrongdoing and taken us out of darkness into light.

I appoint you commander of the army of Khalid bin Al Waleed. So take charge as is your duty.

Send not the Muslims to their destruction for the sake of plunder; and place not the Muslims in a camp without reconnoitring it and knowing what is there.

Send not expeditions except in properly organised units. And beware of taking any steps which may lead to the annihilation of the Muslims.

Allah has tried me with you and tried you with me. Guard against the temptations of this world lest they destroy you as they have destroyed others before you; and you have seen how they felt.

Source: Sword of Allah, Tabari: Vol. 2, p. 622.