Early life

Umar was born in Mecca to the Banu Adi clan, which was responsible for arbitrations among the
tribes. His father was Khattab ibn Nufayl and his mother was Hantammah daughter of Khattab,
from the tribe of Banu Makhzum. He is said to have belonged to a middle class family. In his
youth he used to tend to his father’s camels in the plains near Mecca. His father was famed for
his intelligence among his tribe. He was a middle class merchant and is believed to be a ruthless
man and emotional polytheist who often treated Umar badly. As obvious from Umar's own
statement regarding his father during his later political rule, Umar said, "My father Al-Khittab
was a ruthless man. He used to make me work hard; if I didn't work he used to beat me and he
used to work me to exhaustion."

Despite literacy being uncommon in pre-Islamic Arabia, Umar learned to read and write in his
youth. Though not a poet himself, he developed a love for poetry and literature. According to the
tradition of Quraish, while still in his teenage years, Umar learned martial arts, horse riding and
wrestling. He was tall and physically powerful and was soon to became a renowned wrestler.
Umar was also a gifted orator, and due to his intelligence and overwhelming personality, he
succeeded his father as an arbitrator of conflicts among the tribes.

In addition, Umar followed the traditional profession of Quraish. He became a merchant and had
several journeys to Rome and Persia, where he is said to have met the various scholars and
analyzed the Roman and Persian societies closely. However, as a merchant he is believed to have
never been successful.

During Muhammad's era

Umar's hostility to Islam

In 610 Muhammad started delivering the message of Islam. Umar, alongside others in Makkah,
opposed Islam and threatened to kill Muhammad. He resolved to defend the traditional,
polytheistic religion of Arabia. He was most adamant and cruel in opposing Muhammad and
very prominent in persecuting the Muslims.Umar was the first man who resolved that
Muhammad had to be murdered in order to finish Islam. Umar firmly believed in the unity of the
Quraish and saw the new faith of Islam as a cause of division and discord among the Quraish.

Due to the persecution at the hands of the Quraish, Muhammad ordered his followers to migrate
to Abyssinia. As a small group of Muslims migrated Umar felt worried about the future unity of
the Quraish and decided to have Muhammad assassinated.

Converting to Islam

Umar converted to Islam in 616, one year after the Migration to Abyssinia. The story was
recounted in Ibn Ishaq's Sīrah; On the way to murder Muhammad, Umar met his best friend
Nu'aim ibn Abdi 'Allah who had secretly been converted to a Muslim but he did not tell Umar
anything about it. When Umar told him that he was going to kill Muhammad he was afraid. He
knew Umar will attempt what he said. So just to divert his attention he told him to set his own
house in order first, as his sister and her husband had converted to Islam. Upon arriving at her
house, Umar found his sister and brother-in-law Saeed bin Zaid (Umar's cousin), reciting the
verses of the Qur'an(Surah Taha). He started quarreling with his brother-in-law . When his sister
came to rescue her husband, he also started quarreling with her. Yet still they kept on saying
"you may kill us but we will not give up Islam". Upon hearing these words, Umar slapped his
sister so hard that she fell to the ground bleeding from her mouth. When he saw what he did to
his sister now, out of guilt he calmed down and asked his sister to give him what she was
reciting. She gave him the paper on which was written the verses of the chapter Ta-Ha. He was
so struck by the beauty of the verses that he accepted Islam that day. He then went to
Muhammad with the same sword he intended to kill him with and accepted Islam in front of him
and his companions. Umar was 27 when he accepted Islam. Following his conversion, Umar
went to inform the chief of Quraish, Amr ibn Hishām, about his acceptance of Islam. According
to one account, Umar thereafter openly prayed at the Kaaba as the Quraish chiefs, Amr ibn
Hishām and Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, reportedly watched in anger. This further helped the Muslims
to gain confidence in practicing Islam openly. At this stage Umar even challenged anyone who
dared to stop the Muslims from praying, although no one dared to interfere with Umar when he
was openly praying.

Umar’s conversion to Islam gave power to the Muslims and the faith in Mecca. It was after this
that Muslims offered prayers openly in Masjid al-Haram for the first time. Abdullah bin Masoud
said:

Umar's embracing Islam was our victory, his migration to Medina was our success and his reign a
blessing from Allah, we didn't offer prayers in Al-Haram Mosque until Umar accepted Islam, when he
accepted Islam Quraish were compelled to let us pray in the Mosque.

All these things earned Umar the title of Farooq, meaning he who distinguishes truth from
falsehood.

Umar's Title of Al Farooq

Mujahid, on the authority of Ibn Abbas related that he had asked 'Umar bin Al-Khattab why he
had been given the epithet of Al-Farooq (he who distinguishes truth from falsehood), he replied:
After I had embraced Islam, I asked the Prophet : 'Aren't we on the right path here and
Hereafter?' The Prophet answered: 'Of course you are! I swear by Allâh in Whose Hand my soul
is, that you are right in this world and in the hereafter.' I, therefore, asked the Prophet 'Why we
then had to conduct clandestine activism. I swear by Allâh Who has sent you with the Truth, that
we will leave our concealment and proclaim our noble cause publicly.' We then went out in two
groups, Hamzah leading one and I the other. We headed for the Mosque in broad daylight. When
the polytheists of Quraish saw us, their faces went pale and got incredibly depressed and
resentful. On that very occasion, the Prophet attached to me the epithet of Al-Farooq."
Migration to Medina

In 622 due to the growing popularity of Islam in the city of Yathrib (later renamed Al-Medīna
Al-Munawara, the enlightened city, or simply Medina) Muhammad ordered his followers to
migrate to Medina. Muslims usually migrated at night due to fear of Quraish's resistance to that
migration, but Umar is reported to have migrated openly during the day time. Ibn Asakir
narrated that Ali said: I don’t know of anyone who didn’t emigrate in secret except for Umar ibn
al-Khattab; because when he wanted to emigrate he strapped on his sword, put his bow over his
shoulder, carried his arrows in his hand, and came to the Ka‘bah where the nobles of Quraysh
were in the courtyard. He performed seven circuits, and then prayed two raka‘at at the Station (of
Ibrahim). Then he approached their circle one step at a time and said, Whoever wishes to bereave
his mother, orphan his children and widow his wife then let him meet me behind this valley.”
Not one of them followed him. Umar migrated to Medina accompanied by his cousin and
brother-in-law Saeed ibn Zaid

Life in Medina

Medina became the new center of Islam and the religion spread rapidly across Arabia. When
Muhammad arrived in Medina, he paired off each immigrant (Muhajir) with one of the residents
of the city (Ansari), joining Muhammad ibn Maslamah with Umar making them brothers in faith.
Later in Umar's reign as caliph Muhammad ibn Muslamah would be assigned the office of chief
inspector of Accountability. Muslims remained in peace in Medina for approximately a year
before the Quraish raised an army to attack them. In 624 Umar participated in the first Battle
between Muslims and Quraish of Mecca i.e. Battle of Badr.In 625 he participated in the Battle of
Uhud. In the second phase of Battle when Khalid ibn Walid's Cavalry attacked Muslims at the
rear changing the victory of Muslims to defeat, rumors of Muhammad’s death were spread many
Muslim were warriors routed from the battle field, Umar too was initially routed but hearing that
Muhammad was still alive he went to Muhammad at the mountain of Uhud and prepared for the
defenses of the hill to keep the Quraishi army down the hill. [23] Later in the year Umar was a part
of campaign against the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadir. In 625 Umar’s daughter Hafsah was married
to Muhammad.[24] Later in 627 he participated in the Battle of the Trench and also in the Battle of
Banu Qurayza.[25] In 628 Umar participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was made one of
the witness over the pact.[25] In 628 he was a part of Muslims' campaign to Khaybar. In 629
Muhammad sent Amr ibn al-A’as to Zaat-ul-Sallasal from where he called for reinforcement and
Muhammad sent Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah with reinforcement, serving under him were Abu
Bakr and Umar, they attacked and defeated the enemy. [26] In 630 when Muslim armies rushed for
the Conquest of Mecca he was part of that army. Later in 630 he was part of Battle of Hunayn
and Siege of Ta'if. He was part of Muslim's army that went for the campaign of Tabuk under
Muhammad's command and he was reported to have given half of his wealth for the preparation
of this expedition. He also participated in a farewell Hajj of Muhammad in 631.

Death of Muhammad

Muhammad died on 8 June 632. Umar was full of grief upon hearing the news, Umar, the
devoted disciple, could not accept the reality that the "Messenger of God" has died.[28] According
to the Qur'an, "Muhammad is but a messenger; messengers have passed away before", i.e. died
or killed. It is said that Umar promised to strike the head of any man who would say that
Muhammad died. At this point Abu Bakr is reported to have come out to the Muslim community
and gave his famous speech which included:

"Whoever worshipped Muhammad, let them know that Muhammad is dead, and whoever worshipped
God, let them know that God is alive and never dies."

Abū Bakr then recited these verses from the Qur'an:

"Muhammad is but a messenger; messengers (the like of whom) have passed away before him. If, then,
he dies or is killed, will you turn back on your heel?".

Hearing this from Abu Bakr, the most senior disciple of Muhammad, Umar then fell down on his
knees in great sense of sorrow and acceptance of the reality. Sunni Muslims say that this denial
of Muhammad's death was occasioned by his deep love for him.[28]

Caliph Abu Bakr's era

During Abu Bakr's short reign as caliph he mostly remained occupied with Ridda wars, Umar
was one of his chief advisers and secretary. Umar along with Khalid ibn Walid, probably was the
architect and main strategist behind the collapse of rebellion in Arabia. Though at the beginning
due to the apprehensive situation in Arabia Umar was opposing the military operations against
the rebel tribes, it was to enjoy their support in case of any possible foreign invasion by Romans
or Persian, but later he seemed to agree with Abu Bakr's warlike strategies to crush rebellion.
Khalid ibn Walid by late 632 had successfully united Arabia after consecutive victories against
rebels. Later during his own reign, Umar would mostly adopt the policy of avoiding wars and
consolidating his power in the conquered land rather than expanding his empire through
continuous warfare.[29] Prior to Battle of Yamamah, Umar pressured Abu Bakr to call back
Khalid, who had killed Malik ibn Nuwayrah, a rebel chief who was a state criminal. Umar was
reportedly misguided by Malik's brother that Malik was a Muslim and Khalid killed him because
he wanted to marry his wife Layla bint al-Minhal, a renowned beauty in Arabia. While Abu Bakr
refused to accept Umar's opinion and Umar continue insisting for Khalid disposal even after
Khalid's conquest of Iraq. This became a major issue between Abu Bakr and Umar and a
spacious chapter in Islamic history. It was Umar who advised Abu Bakr to compile Quran in the
form of a book, after the death of 300 memorizers of Quran in Battle of Yamamah. Abu Bakr
appointed Umar as his successor prior to his death in 634. He was confirmed in the office
thereafter.

Appointment as a Caliph

Due to his strict and autocratic nature, Umar was not a very popular figure among the notables of
Madinah and members of Majlis al Shura, accordingly succession of Umar was initially
discouraged by high ranking companions of Abu Bakr.[30][31] Nevertheless, Abu Bakr decided to
make Umar, his successor. Umar was still well known for his extraordinary will power,
intelligence, political astuteness, impartiality, justice and care for poor and underprivileged
people.[32] Abu Bakr is reported to have said to the high-ranking advisers:

His (Umar's) strictness was there because of my softness when the weight of Caliphate will be over his
shoulders he will remain no longer strict. If I will be asked by the God to whom I have appointed my
successor, I will tell him that I have appointed the best man among your men. [33]

Abu Bakr was fully aware of Umar's power and ability to succeed him. Succession of Umar was
thus not as troublesome as any of the others. His was perhaps one of the smoothest transitions to
power from one authority to another in the Muslim lands.[34] Abu Bakr before his death called
Uthman to write his will in which he declared Umar his successor. In his will he instructed Umar
to continue the conquests on Iraq and Syrian fronts. Abu Bakr's decision would prove to be
crucial in the strengthening of the nascent Islamic empire.

Reign as Caliph
On 22 August Caliph Abu Bakr died. The same day Umar assumed the office of Caliphate. After
the assumption of office as the Caliph, Umar addressed the Muslims in his Inaugural address as:

"O ye faithful! Abu Bakr is no more amongst us. He has the satisfaction that he has successfully piloted
the ship of the Muslim state to safety after negotiating the stormy sea. He successfully waged the
apostasy wars, and thanks to him, Islam is now supreme in Arabia. After Abu Bakr, the mantle of
Caliphate has fallen on my shoulders. I swear it before God that I never coveted this office. I wished that
it would have devolved on some other person more worthy than me. But now that in national interest,
the responsibility for leading the Muslims has come to vest in me, I assure you that I will not run away
from my post, and will make an earnest effort to discharge the onerous duties of the office to the best of
my capacity in accordance with the injunctions of Islam. Allah has examined me from you and you from
me, In the performance of my duties, I will seek guidance from the Holy Book, and will follow the
examples set by the Holy Prophet and Abu Bakr. In this task I seek your assistance. If I follow the right
path, follow me. If I deviate from the right path, correct me so that we are not led astray.

[edit] Initial challenges

Umar was already not an endearing figure in Medina. Although almost all of the Muslims had
given pledge of loyalty to him, nevertheless he was rather more feared than loved. The first
challenge for Umar was to win out his subjects and members of Majlis al Shura.[35] Umar was a
gifted orator, and he would use his ability to get a soft corner in the hearts of people.[36] On
Friday prayers Umar addressed the people as follows:

Brethren, it has come to my notice that the people are afraid of me..... they say that he (Umar) has
become the Caliph now, God knows how hard he will be. Whoever has said this is not wrong in his
assessment...... know ye brethren that you will feel a change in me. [37] For those who practise tyranny
and deprive others of their rights, I will be harsh and stern, but for those who follow the law, I will be
most soft and tender.
Umar's addresses greatly moved the people. Next time he addressed the people as:

I will be harsh and stern against the aggressor, [38] but I will be a pillar of strength for the weak.

I will not calm down until I will put one cheek of a tyrant on the ground and the other under my feet, and
for the poor and weak, I will put my cheek on the ground.

The following are the historic words of Umar,[39] over which he laid foundation of his rule:

By God, he that is weakest among you shall be in my eye the strongest, [40] until I have vindicated for him
his rights; he that is strongest I will treat as the weakest, until he complies with the law.

Umar's stress was on the well being of poor and underprivileged people. As this class made a
bulk of any community, the people were soundly moved by Umar's speeches and his popularity
grew rapidly and continuously over the period of his reign.[41] In addition to this Umar, in order
to improve his reputation and relation with Banu Hashim, the tribe of Prophet Muhammad and
Ali, delivered to him his disputed estates in Khayber. Though he followed Abu Bakr's decision
over the dispute of land of Fidak, continued its status as a state property. In Ridda wars,
thousands of prisoners from rebel and apostate tribes were taken away as slaves during the
expeditions. Umar ordered the general amnesty for the prisoners, and their immediate
emancipation.[42] This made Umar quite a popular among the budoiene tribes. With necessary
public support with him, Umar took a bold decision of retrieving Khalid ibn Walid from supreme
command on Roman front.[43]

[edit] Ali's View for Umar

Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: When the right-acting are mentioned then begin with
‘Umar. We did not think it unlikely that as-Sakinah (the Divine Presence) spoke with the tongue
of ‘Umar. At-Tabarani narrated it in al-Awsat.[20]

[edit] Political and civil administration

The government of Umar was more or less a unitary government, where the sovereign political
authority was the Caliph. The empire of Umar was divided into provinces and some autonomous
territories like in some regions Azerbaijan and Armenia, that had accepted the suzerainty of the
Caliphate. The provinces were administered by the provincial governors or Wali. The selection
of which was made personally by Umar, who was very fastidious in it. Provinces were further
divided into districts, there were about 100 districts in the empire. Each district or main city was
under the charge of a junior governor or Wali, usually appointed by Umar himself, but
occasionally they were also appointed by the provincial governor. Other officers at the provincial
level were:

1. Katib, the Chief Secretary.

2. Katib-ud-Diwan, the Military Secretary.
3. Sahib-ul-Kharaj, the Revenue Collector.
 4. Sahib-ul-Ahdath, the Police chief.
5. Sahib-Bait-ul-Mal, the Treasury Officer.
6. Qadi, the Chief Judge.

In some districts there were separate military officers, though the Governor (Wali) was in most
cases the Commander-in-chief of the army quartered in the province. Every appointment was
made in writing. At the time of appointment an instrument of instructions was issued with a view
to regulating the conduct of Governors. On assuming office, the Governor was required to
assemble the people in the main mosque, and read the instrument of instructions before them.[44]

Umar's general instructions to his officers were:

"Remember, I have not appointed you as commanders and tyrants over the people. I have sent you as
leaders instead, so that the people may follow your example. Give the Muslims their rights and do not
beat them lest they become abused. Do not praise them unduly, lest they fall into the error of conceit.
Do not keep your doors shut in their faces, lest the more powerful of them eat up the weaker ones. And
do not behave as if you were superior to them, for that is tyranny over them."

Various other strict code of conducts were to be obeyed by the governors and state officials. The
principal officers were required to come to Mecca on the occasion of the Hajj, during which
people were free to present any complaint against them. In order to minimize the chances of
corruption, Umar made it a point to pay high salaries to the staff. Provincial governor received as
much as five to seven thousand dirham annually besides their shares of the spoils of war (if they
were also the commander in chief of the army of their sector). Under Umar the empire was
divided into the following provinces.

1. Arabia was divided into two provinces, Mecca and Medina;

2. Iraq was divided into two provinces, Basra and Kufa;
3. In the upper reaches of the Tigris and the Euphrates, Jazira was a province;
4. Syria was a province;
5. Umar divided Palestine in two provinces Aylya and Ramallah;
6. Egypt was divided into two provinces, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt;
7. Persia was divided into three provinces, Khorasan; Azarbaijan and Fars.

Umar was first to established a special department for the investigation of complaints against the
officers of the State. This department acted as Administrative court, where the legal proceedings
were personally led by Umar.[45] The Department was under the charge of Muhammad ibn
Maslamah, one of Umar's most trusted men. In important cases Muhammad ibn Maslamah was
deputed by Umar to proceed to the spot, investigate the charge and take action. Sometimes an
Inquiry Commission was constituted to investigate the charge. On occasions the officers against
whom complaints were received were summoned to Medina, and charged in Umar's
administrative court. One of Umar's most powerful department was his intelligence department
of secret services[dubious – discuss]. Umar's iron fist rule on his empire, is often credited to this
institution . His agents were everywhere, in the army, in the bureaucracy and in the enemy land.
For the officials of Umar it was said to be the most fearsome department[dubious – discuss].
Umar was a pioneer in some affairs:

1. Umar was the first to introduce the public ministry system, where the records of officials and
soldiers were kept. He also kept a record system that had the messages he sent to Governors
and heads of states.
2. He was the first to appoint police forces to keep civil order.
3. He was the first to discipline the people when they became disordered. [46]

[edit] Reforms
Umar is regarded as one of the greatest political geniuses in history.[5] While under his
leadership, the empire was expanding at a unprecedented rate, he also began to build the political
structure that would hold together the vast empire that was being built. He undertook many
administrative reforms and closely oversaw public policy. He established an advanced
administration for the newly conquered lands, including several new ministries and
bureaucracies, and ordered a census of all the Muslim territories. During his rule, the garrison
cities (amsar) of Basra and Kufa were founded or expanded. In 638, he extended and renovated
the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca and the Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the
Prophet) in Medina.[47] Umar also ordered the expulsion of the Christian and Jewish communities
of Najran and Khaybar allowing them to reside in Syria or Iraq. He issued orders that these
Christians and Jews should be treated well and allotted them the equivalent land in their new
settlements. Umar also forbade non-Muslims to reside in the Hejaz for longer than three days.[48]
He was first to establish army as a state department. Umar was founder of Fiqh, the Islamic
jurisprudence.[49] He is regarded by Sunni Muslims to be one of the greatest Faqih. Umar as a
jurist started the process of codifying Islamic Law. In 641, he established Bayt al-mal, a financial
institution and started annual state sponsored allowance for the poor Muslims in Makkah and Al
Madinah. A year later he also started allowance for the poor, underprivileged and old non-
Muslim citizens of the empire. As a leader, 'Umar was known for his simple, austere lifestyle.
Rather than adopt the pomp and display affected by the rulers of the time, he continued to live
much as he had when Muslims were poor and persecuted. In 639, his fourth year as caliph and
the seventeenth year 17 since the Hijra, he decreed that the Islamic calendar should be counted
from the year of the Hijra of Muhammad from Mecca to Madinah.

[edit] Military expansion

It is widely believed that Umar stressed more on consolidating his power and political influence
in the conquered land, rather than pursuing conquests. Nevertheless under Umar, The Islamic
empire grew at an unprecedented rate. In 638, after the conquest of Syria, Umar dismissed
Khalid, his most successful general due to his every growing fame and influence. Later however
Umar regretted this decision. The military conquest were partially terminated between 638–639
during the years of great famine and plague in Arabia and Levant respectively. During his reign
the Levant, Egypt, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, Fezzan, Eastern Anatolia, almost the whole of the
Sassanid Persian Empire including Bactria, Persia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Caucasus and Makran
were annexed to Islamic Empire. Accordiong to one estimate more than 4050 cities were
captured during these military conquest.[50] Prior to his death in 644, Umar had ceased all military
expeditions apparently to consolidate his rule in Egypt and the newly conquered Sassanid
Empire (642–644). At his death in November 644, the domain of his rule extended from present
day Libya in west to the Indus river in east and the Oxus river in north.

[edit] The great famine

In the year 638, Arabia fell into severe drought followed by a famine. Bedouin people began to
die because of hunger and epidemic disease. Hundreds of thousands[citation needed] of people from all
over Arabia gathered at Madinah where food was rationed. Soon the reserves of food at Madinah
began to decline, and Umar wrote to the provincial governors of Syria, Palestine and Iraq for aid.
A state of emergency was declared in Madinah and Arabia. The timely aid of Umar's governors
saved the lives of thousands of people through out Arabia. The first governor to respond was
Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, the governor of Syria and supreme commander of Rashidun army.
He sent a historic letter to Umar saying

I am sending you the Caravans whose one end will be here at Syria and the other will be at Madinah.

Later, Abu Ubaidah paid a personal visit to Madinah and acted as an officer of Disaster
management cell, which was headed personally by Umar. Once an adequate supply of rations
reached Madinah, Umar dispatched his men to the routes of Iraq, Palestine and Syria to take the
supply caravans to the desert settlements deeper into Arabia, which in turn saved millions from
starvation. For internally displaced people, Umar hosted a dinner every night at Madinah, which
according to one estimate had attendance of more than hundred thousand people.[51] By early 639
conditions begun to improve. Arabia received precipitation and as soon as the famine ended,
Umar personally supervised the rehabilitation of the displaced people. They were given adequate
amounts of rations and were exempted from payment of zakat for that year and the next year.

[edit] The great plague

While famine was ending in Arabia, many districts in Syria and Palestine were devastated by
plague. While Umar was on his way to visit Syria, at Elat, he was received by Abu Ubaidah ibn
al-Jarrah, governor of Syria, who informed him about plague and its intensity and he was suggest
to go back to Madinah. Umar tried to persuade Abu Ubaidah to come with him to Madinah but
he denied to leave his troops in that critical situation. Abu Ubaidah died in 639 due to plague,
which also cost the life of 25,000 Muslims in Syria. After the plague had weakened in late 639
Umar visited Syria for political and administrative re-organization, as most of the veteran
commanders and governors had died of plague.[52]

[edit] Marriage to Ali bin Abu Talib's daughter Umm

Kulthum
It is accepted by Sunni sources that Umar bin Khattab married Ali bin Abu Talib's daughter
Umm Kulthum, Shi'ah believe that the wife of Umar was Umm Kulthum bint Abi Bakr. In sunni
sources it is mentioned that Umar asked for her hand because of a hadith he heard from
Muhammad, "Every lineage and means will be severed on the Day of Judgment except my
lineage and my means." Umar wanted to be closer to Muhammad, therefore requested Ali's
daughter, which he accepted.

Umar ibn Adheena asked the Shī‘ah Imām, Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.s.), “People claim that Ali (a.s.)
married his daughter to such a person”. The Imam, who was until then sitting down, stood up and
said angrily, "Whoever holds such a viewpoint is misled." Shi'ah believe that Umm Kulthum bint
Ali (a.s.) was married on only one occasion, and that was to ‘Aun ibn Ja'far.

[edit] Assassination
In 644, at zenith of his power, Umar was assassinated. His assassination was carried out by a
Persian, in response to the Muslim conquest of Persia.[53] The assassination was planned several
months earlier. In October 644 Umar went for Hajj in Mecca, the assassins started the hoopla of
Umar's possible death that year, and the massive crowd of the congregation was used by the
conspirators as a veil to hide themselves. It is related that when Umar stood at Mount Arafat he
heard a voice saying:

"O Caliph, never again will you stand on the Mount of Arafat".

A companion of Umar, Jabir bin Mutaam is reported to have said:

We saw a man standing at the top of the hill and crying 'Verily that is the last Hajj of Umar. He will never
come here again."

During one of rituals of Hajj, the Ramy al-Jamarat (stoning of the Devil), some one threw a stone
on Umar that wounded his head, a voice was heard that Umar will not attend the Hajj ever again.
Amongst the conspirators was:

1. Hormuzan, the alleged mastermind of the plot. He was Persian Commander in Chief and was
captured and brought to Umar at Madinah where to save his life he apparently converted to
Islam.
2. One of Umar's advisors, Ka'ab al-Ahbar, a former Jewish Rabbi, who apparently had converted
to Islam, but his conversion is generally doubted by the Shi'ite scholars. [54][55]
3. Jafinah, the Christian Arab from Iraq, who was also a foster brother of Saad ibn Abi Waqqas,
former governors of Busra.
4. Piruzan, popularly known as Abu Lulu, he was slave of Mughira ibn Shu'ba the then governor of
Busra.

It was Abu Lulu who was assigned the mission of assassinating Umar. According to the plan,
before the Fajrprayers (the morning prayers before the dawn) Abu Lulu will enter Al-Masjid al-
Nabawi, the main mosque of Madinah where Umar led the prayers and will attack Umar during
the prayers, and will flee or will mix with the congregation at mosque. There were Persian
children slaves in Madina. Seeing them, Firoz is quoted saying:

You have been enslaved at such a tender age. This Umar sees eaten my heart. I will take his heart out.
Abu Lulu brought a conjectural complaint to Umar about the high tax charged from him by his
master Mughirah. Umar wrote to Mughirah and inquired about the tax, Mughirah's reply was
satisfactory Umar held that the tax charged from Abu Lulu was reasonable, owning to his daily
income. Umar than is reported to have asked Abu Lulu:

I heard that you make windmills; make one for me as well. In a sullen mood, Firoz said, " Verily I will
make such a mill for you, that whole world would remember it ".

On 3 November 644, Umar was attacked, while leading the morning prayers, Abu Lulu stabbed
him six times in the belly and last on the navel, that proved fatal. Umar was left profusely
bleeding while Abu Lulu tried to flee but people from all sides rushed to capture him, he in his
efforts to escape is reported to have wounded twelve other people, six or nine of them later died.
At last he was captured but committed suicide from the same dagger. Umar died of the wounds
three days later on Sunday, 7 November 644.[56] Umar is reported to have left the following
testament:

Be kind and generous to the Muhajirun and the Ansar. Those out of them who are good, be good to
them; those who are bad overlook their lapses. Be good to the people of the conquered lands. They are
the outer line of our defense; they are the target of the anger and distress of our enemies. They
contribute to our revenues. They should be taxed only on their surplus wealth. Be gracious to the
Bedouins as they are the backbone of the Arab nation. I instruct you to be good to the Dhimmis for they
are your responsibility. Do not tax them beyond their capacity. Ensure that they pay the Jizya without
undue inconvenience. Fear God, and in all that you do keep His pleasure in view. In the matter of people
fear God, and in the matter of Allah do not be afraid of the people. With regard to the people, I enjoin
upon you to administer justice with an even hand. See that all the legitimate requirements of the people
are met. Be concerned for their welfare. Ensure the safety of their person and property. See that the
frontiers of our domains are not violated. Take strong steps to guard the frontiers. In the matter of
administration do not prefer the rich to the poor. Be hard against those who violate the law. Show them
no mercy. Do not rest content until you have brought the miscreants to book. Treat all the people as
equal. Be a pillar of strength for those who are weak and oppressed. Those who are strong but do
wrong, make them pay for their wrong-doings. In the distribution of booty and other matters be above
nepotism. Let no consideration of relationship or selfish interest weigh with you. The Satan is at large; it
may tempt you. Rise above all temptations and perform your duties in accordance with the injunctions of
Islam. Get guidance from the Holy Quran and Sunnah. Freely consult the wise men around you. Apply
your own mind in difficult cases, and seek light from God. Be simple in your living and your habits. Let
there be no show or ostentation about you. Lead life as a model Muslim. As you are the leader of the
Muslims, justify your leadership by being the best among them all. May God bless you.

As per Umar's will, he was buried next to Al-Masjid al-Nabawi alongside Muhammad and
Caliph Abu Bakr by the permission of Aisha.