A BEAUTIFUL SHORT STORY OF UMAR,VERY INTERESTING. ‘Umar was born into a respected Quraish family thirteen years after the birth of Muhammad (peace be on him). Umar’s family was known for its extensive knowledge of genealogy. When he grew up, ‘Umar was proficient in this branch of knowledge as well as in swordsmanship, wrestling and the art of speaking. He also learned to read and write while still a child, a very rare thing in Mecca at that time. ‘Umar earned his living as a merchant. His trade took him to many foreign lands and he met all kinds of people. This experience gave him an insight into the affairs and problems of men. ‘Umar’s personality was dynamic, self-assertive, frank and straight forward. He always spoke whatever was in his mind even if it displeased others. ‘Umar was twenty-seven when the Prophet (peace be on him) proclaimed his mission. The ideas Muhammad was preaching enraged him as much as they did the other notables of Mecca. He was just as bitter against anyone accepting Islam as others among the Quraish. When his slave-girl accepted Islam he beat her until he himself was exhausted and told her, “I have stopped because I am tired, not out of pity for you.” The story of his embracing Islam is an interesting one. It was the sixth year of Prophets mission when Quraish leaders called a meeting and asked a volunteer for the assassination of the Prophet (SAW) . Hazrat ‘Umar offered himself for this task and everybody in the meeting exclaimed that he was the right person for it. While he was on his way with a sword in his hand he met Sad bin Abi Waqqas who enquired of him about his destination. Hazrat ‘Umar told him that he was going to murder the Prophet (SAW). After some discussion Sad said, “You had better take care of your own family first. Your sister and brother-in-law both have accepted Islam.” Hearing this Hazrat ‘Umar changed his direction and went straight to his sisters house. When Hazrat ‘Umar knocked at the door, they were studying the Quran from Khabbab . His sister Fatimah was frightened on hearing Hazrat ‘Umar’s voice and tried to hide the portion of the Quran she was reciting. When Hazrat ‘Umar entered the house he enquired about their Islam and on finding that they had accepted Islam, he first fell upon his brother-in-law and beat him severely. When his sister intervened he smote her so violently on her face that it bled profusely. On this, his sister burst out: “Do whatever you like, we are determined to die as Muslims.” These words produced a strange effect upon ‘Umar. What was this faith that made even weak women so strong of heart? Hazrat ‘Umar saw his sister bleeding, he calmed down and felt ashamed. He loved Fatimah very much but could not tolerate her conversion to Islam. However, deeply moved, Hazrat ‘Umar asked her to show the pages on which the Quran was written. But she was, after all, Hazrat ‘Umar’s sister and told him, “You can not touch it unless you take a bath and make yourself clean.” He washed his body and then read the leaves. That was the beginning of Surah Ta-Ha (Chapter 20 of the Quran). When he came to the verse: Indeed it is Me, Allaah - there is no God except I - therefore worship Me and keep the prayer established for My remembrance. [Al Ta-Ha, 20:14] Hazrat ‘Umar exclaimed, “Surely this is the Word of Allah. Take me to Muhammad ”. This is why it is said that the rest of the Companions were mureed (one who seeks) of the Prophet , whereas Hazrat ‘Umar was His muraad (one who is sought). Hazrat ‘Umar’s conversion to Islam was a terrible blow to the morale of the disbelievers Umar made no secret of his acceptance of Islam. He gathered the Muslims and offered prayers at the Ka’aba. This boldness and devotion of an influential citizen of Mecca raised the morale of the small community of Muslims. Nonetheless ‘Umar was also subjected to privations, and when permission for emigration to Medina came, he also left Mecca. The soundness of ‘Umar’s judgment, his devotion to the Prophet (peace be on him), his outspokenness and uprightness won for him a trust and confidence from the Prophet which was second only to that given to Abu Bakr. The Prophet gave him the title ‘Farooq’ which means the ‘Separator of Truth from False hood.’ During the Caliphate of Abu Bakr, ‘Umar was his closest assistant and adviser. When Abu Bakr died, all the people of Medina swore allegiance to ‘Umar, and on 23 Jamadi-al-Akhir, 13 A.H., he was proclaimed Caliph. ‘Umar’s Caliphate In 23 A.H., when Umar returned to Medina from Hajj;, he raised his hands and prayed, “O God! I am advanced in years, my bones are weary, my powers are declining, and the people for whom I am responsible have spread far and wide. Summon me back to Thyself, my lord!” Some time later, when ‘Umar went to the mosque to lead a prayer, a Magian named Abu Lulu Feroze, who had a grudge against ‘Umar on a personal matter, attacked him with a dagger and stabbed him several times. Umar reeled and fell to the ground. When he learned that the assassin was a Magian, he said, “Thank God he is not a Muslim.” ‘Umar died in the first week of Muharram, 24 A.H., and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him).
Posted on: Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:47:19 +0000
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