Afternoon Reminder. Sunday. We continue with the Life of UMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB (RA). CONTRIBUTIONS TO ISLAM DURING PROPHETS (PBUH) LIFETIME Public proclamation of Islam Umar was the first person to publicly proclaim Islam - he literally went door to door to houses of the inhabitants of Mecca such as Abu Jahl to announce his conversion to Islam. Their reaction was of course of astonishment, hostility and dismay. For example Abu Jahl cursed him and slammed the door in his face! However, Umars courage was contagious, and his actions strengthened and boosted the morale of the small community of Muslims, who had until then, been forced to worship in the secrecy of their homes. Umar was renowned for his outspoken behaviour, and on more than one occasion, questioned the Prophets S.A.W decisions. An illustration of this is when the elation of Umars acceptance of Islam had subsided, he asked the Prophet S.A.W Arent we on the right path here and in the hereafter? The Prophet SAW replied affirmatively, upon which Umar asked Why then, do we have to conduct our activities secretly? I swear by Allah Who has sent you with the Truth, that we will leave our concealment and proclaim our noble cause publicly. Allahu Akbar. Hence, prompted by Umar, the Quraishi witnessed to their alarm the first group of Muslims approaching and worshipping before the Kabah in broad daylight, a practice which is still followed more than 1,400 years later. This was the incident that gave him the title Al Farooq (he who distinguishes truth from falsehood). With Umar as the physical guardian, the hostile Quraishi were hesitant to attack the Muslims, as Umar was a fearsome enemy and was swift to retaliate. Umar migrated to Medina ahead of the Prophet S.A.W. Whilst many Muslims were migrating to Medina discreetly, Umar went to the Kabah and announced his migration publicly, threatening Anyone who wants to make his wife a widow and his children orphans, should come and meet me there behind that cliff. Umars strength and ferocity was such that he was capable of killing a man in a single blow, and he was armed with his sword and his arrows. Not surprisingly, none of the Quraishi dared to stand in his way. It was not uncommon that whenever a difficult or complicated situation arose, the Prophet S.A.W would seek the counsel of Umar and Abu Bakr RA. In many instances, Umar and Abu Bakr took divergent views, Umars opinion being inclined to being harder than Abu Bakrs. On more than one occasion, however, Umars view was confirmed as the correct one, as affirmed by Allah Himself through the revelations that subsequently guided the Prophet S.A.W through an issue. This included his view on the innocence of Aisha RA when her reputation and fidelity to Muhammad S.A.W was cast under severe doubt by the hypocrites. On the authority of Abdur Rahman bin Ghanam, it was said that the Prophet S.A.W said to Abu Bakr and Umar that if you two are agreed upon a counsel, I would not oppose you. Umar participated in many of the key Muslim battles and was often the right hand man of the Prophet S.A.W on the battlefield. He fought keenly in the Battle of Badr, Uhud and the Trench, the Conquest of Mecca, Hunayn and the Siege of Taif. Father-in-law of Muhammad S.A.W Umars daughter, Hafsa, was widowed at a very young age when her husband was martyred during the Battle of Uhud. Her bereavement upset Umar greatly, but he was also aware that she had inherited his fiery temper. Hence he felt it best for her to be married to a much more mature man of a more sober temperament. He approached Abu Bakr, who evaded the subject, and Uthman RA, who politely declined not least because he was still grieving over the unexpected death of his own wife, Ruqayya, the daughter of the Prophet S.A.W. Insulted, saddened and enraged, Umar complained to the Prophet S.A.W, whereupon the Prophet S.A.W assured him with the following words: Rest assured, Hafsa will marry a man better than Uthman, and Uthman will marry a lady better than Hafsa. It transpired that Muhammad S.A.W had indicated to Abu Bakr and Uthman that he had intended to take Hafsa as his bride, hence their non-committal replies when approached by Umar. Uthman was then married to the Prophets younger daughter, Umm Kulsum. With this marriage, Umars status was brought at par with Abu Bakrs, and both of them enjoyed the honour of being the Prophets S.A.W father-in-law. Allahu Akbar. Umar had such a deep respect for Allah that he was always very humble and filled with humility. It was his fear of the question of what will you say to your Lord that motivated all his actions. Hence he spent the rest of his life trying to atone for his persecution of the Muslims prior to accepting Islam himself. Umar was only concerned about being saved from the fire of Hell and once said that all his good deeds not be recorded for him provided that he be saved from hell as neither having any extra good nor bearing any evil. Even when he was given glad tidings that he would be admitted into Paradise, he remained in awe and full of respect of Allah. He had always been a hard and severe person, but it was on himself that he was the hardest. He always saw how the Messenger S.A.W spent his nights in prayer, some days in fasting and in fighting for Allah even though he knew that Allah had forgiven all his sins. He once asked the Prophet (PBUH) why he was doing all this. The Prophet S.A.W answered Then, should I not be a thankful servant of Allah? Allahu Akbar. To be concluded in my evening reminder in shaa Allah. May Allah keep guiding our eemaan till Jannat. Aameen.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 14:18:11 +0000
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