Umar
ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (Arabic: عمر بن الخطاب, also spelled Omar, c. 586/589 – 644) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and second caliph in the succession of early leaders, who reigned from 634 until his assassination in 644. He succeeded Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) as the second caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate on 23 August 634. Umar was a father-in-law of Muhammad. Umar was an expert Muslim jurist. He was known for his pious and just nature. It earned him the epithet al-Farooq which means "the one who distinguishes (between right and wrong)".
| Umar عمر | |
|---|---|
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| 2nd Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate | |
| Reign | 23 August 634 – 3 November 644 |
| Predecessor | Abu Bakr |
| Successor | Uthman ibn Affan |
| Born | c. 586 or 589 CE Mecca, Hejaz, Arabia |
| Died | November 644 CE (Dhu al-Hijjah 23 AH/Muharram 24 AH) (aged 60–61) Medina, Hejaz, Rashidun Caliphate |
| Burial | Prophet's Mosque, Medina |
| Spouse | |
| Issue (among others) |
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| Tribe | Quraysh (Banu Adi) |
| Father | Khattab ibn Nufayl |
| Mother | Hantamah bint Hisham |
| Religion | Islam |
| Signature |  |
At first, Umar opposed Muhammad. After his conversion to Islam in 616, Umar became the first Muslim to openly pray at the Kaaba.[3] Umar fought in almost all battles under Muhammad. After Muhammad's death in June 632, Umar pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) as the first caliph. Umar served as the closest adviser to the Bakr until August 634. It was then that the dying Abu Bakr made Umar his successor.
Under Umar, the caliphate expanded. It ruled the Sasanian Empire and more than two-thirds of the Byzantine Empire.[4] His attacks on the Sasanian Empire resulted in the conquest of Persia in less than two years. Jewish tradition says that Umar set aside the Christian ban on Jews and let them into Jerusalem and to worship.[5] Umar was assassinated by the Persian slave Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz in November 644.[a]
Umar is said to be one of the most powerful Muslim caliphs.[7] He is revered in the Sunni Islamic tradition.[8] Some hadiths say he was second greatest of the Sahabah after Abu Bakr.[9][10] He is viewed negatively in the Twelver Shia tradition.[11]
Notes
Related pages
References
Bibliography
Other websites
- Excerpt from The History of the Khalifahs by Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuti
- Sirah of Amirul Muminin Umar Bin Khattab by Shaykh Sayyed Muhammad bin Yahya al-Husayni al-Ninowy.
- . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.
Umar Banu Adi Cadet branch of the Quraysh Born: c.586 Died: 3 November 644 | ||
| Sunni Islam titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Abū Bakr | Caliph of Islam Rashidun Caliph 23 August 634 – 3 November 644 | Succeeded by Uthman ibn Affan |
