Umar Ibn Al-Khattab: Biography, Family, Achievements & Death

His name is Abu Hafs Omar ibn al-Khattab, also known as Al-Farooq. He was the second caliph after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is one of the greatest companions of the Prophet.

Omar is remembered as one of the most powerful and influential leaders in Islamic history. He was also a senior scholar among the companions and was promised paradise by the Prophet.

The Early Life of Omar Ibn al-Khattab

Omar ibn al-Khattab was born about thirteen years after the Year of the Elephant. He lived in an area now known as Mount Omar, in the Aqir region.

Growing up in the Quraysh tribe, Omar stood out by learning how to read. As a young man, he worked as a camel herder and later developed skills in wrestling, horseback riding, and poetry. He also became a successful merchant.

Omar’s Conversion to Islam

Before accepting Islam, Omar was known for his toughness and strength. One day, he set out with the intent to kill the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). On his way, he met a companion of the Prophet who asked where he was going.

When Omar shared his plan, the companion told him that his sister, Fatimah, and her husband, Sa’id ibn Zayd, had already embraced Islam.

Omar went to see his sister, where a page of the Quran fell from her hands. Eager to read it, Fatimah insisted he first perform ablution (wudu).

After doing so, Omar read the verses from Surah Ta-Ha (20:1-6). The words deeply moved him, and his heart trembled. As a result, Omar embraced Islam.

Omar’s Migration to Medina

In 622 CE, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told the Muslims to move to Yathrib (later called Medina).

He had promised them safety and invited them to live there because most of the people in Yathrib had accepted his message. Many Muslims moved to Yathrib quietly to avoid trouble from the Quraysh people.

Omar ibn al-Khattab, however, openly prepared for his move. He put on his sword, carried his bow and arrows, and took a sturdy staff.

He walked around the Kaaba seven times, prayed at the spot where the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) had prayed, and then addressed a group of opponents, warning them that anyone who wanted to challenge him would have to meet him behind the valley.

Omar’s Wives, Sons, and Daughters

Omar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) had seven wives over his lifetime, both before and after embracing Islam. His wives included:

1. Zainab bint Maz’un, who had three children with him: Abdullah, Abdul Rahman the Elder, and Hafsah.
2. Mulaykah bint Jarwal, who bore him Ubaidullah, but whom he later divorced.
3. Quraybah bint Abu Umayyah al-Makhzumi, whom he also divorced.
4. Um Hakim bint al-Harith ibn Hisham, who had a daughter, Fatimah, with him. Some sources say he didn’t divorce her.
5. Jameelah bint Asim.
6. Atikah bint Zaid.

He proposed to Um Kulthum bint Abu Bakr, but she declined because of his rough lifestyle. Instead, he married Um Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib, and they had two children, Zaid and Ruqayyah.

Omar did not have all his wives at the same time, as Islam allows a man to have a maximum of four wives at once. If one wife died or was divorced, he could marry another.

Details About Some of Omar’s Wives

• Zainab bint Maz’un: She was the sister of Uthman ibn Maz’un. She had three children with Omar: Abdullah, Hafsah, and Abdul Rahman the Elder. Some sources say she migrated, while others say she died in Mecca before the migration.
• Jameelah bint Thabit: Known as Aasiyah before Islam, the Prophet Muhammad renamed her Jameelah. She had a daughter named Aasim with Omar.
• Atikah bint Zaid: She was previously married to Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr, who died. After his death, she married Omar. Abdullah ibn Omar described her as someone whose husbands died as martyrs.
• Um Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib: Born before the Prophet Muhammad’s death, she was the daughter of Fatimah and the Prophet Muhammad. Omar married her when she was young and gave her a dowry of forty thousand dirhams. She had two children, Zaid and Ruqayyah, and died with Zaid.

Omar’s Sons

1. Abdullah ibn Omar: His mother was Zainab bint Maz’un. He was a young Muslim during the Battle of Badr and later fought in various battles. He was known for his piety and knowledge.
2. Ubaidullah: Born during the Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime, he was strong and died in the Battle of Siffin.
3. Aasim: His mother was Jameelah bint Thabit. He spent the last two years of the Prophet’s life with him and was strong. He died before his brother Abdullah.
4. Zaid the Elder: His mother was Umm Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib. He died with his mother, and their funeral was attended by many companions.
5. Zaid the Younger: His mother was Umm Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib. He was born during the Prophet Muhammad’s time.
6. Abdul Rahman the Elder: His mother was Zainab bint Maz’un.
7. Ayyad: His mother was Atikah bint Zaid.
8. Abu Shahmah Abdul Rahman the Middle.
9. Abdul Rahman the Younger: His mother was Lahiya, nicknamed Abu al-Mujabbir. He was the brother of Abu Shahmah Abdul Rahman the Middle.

Omar’s Daughters

1. Hafsah bint Omar ibn al-Khattab: Her mother was Zainab bint Maz’un. She was born around the time the Kaaba was being rebuilt. She was married to Khunays ibn Hudhafa and migrated to Medina with him. She died during the caliphate of Muawiyah ibn Abi Sufyan.
2. Ruqayyah: Her mother was Umm Kulthum bint Ali ibn Abi Talib.
3. Fatima bint Omar: Her mother was Umm Hakim bint Al-Harith.
4. Aisha bint Omar: Her mother was Lahiya.
5. Safiyyah bint Omar ibn al-Khattab: She witnessed the Battle of Khaybar with the Prophet Muhammad.
6. Jameelah bint Omar: Her name before Islam was Aasiyah, and the Prophet Muhammad renamed her Jameelah.
7. Zainab bint Omar: Her mother was Atikah bint Zaid. She married Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Suhail and later Abdullah ibn Abdullah ibn Suraaqah al-Adawi.

Military Expeditions of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab

Here are some military campaigns Omar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) took part in to support Islam:

• Battle of Badr (2 AH): Omar was one of the first to support the decision to fight the Quraysh. His uncle, Al-Aas ibn Hisham, was killed in this battle.
• Battle of Uhud (3 AH): Omar defended the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims when they were attacked by the disbelievers.
• Expedition against Banu Nadir (4 AH): Omar took part in this expedition after Banu Nadir broke their treaty with the Prophet Muhammad and tried to kill him.
• Battle of the Trench (5 AH): Omar was involved in this battle, also known as the Battle of Khandaq.
• Battle of Banu Qurayza (5 AH): Omar participated in this battle, which occurred in the same year as the Battle of the Trench.
• Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (6 AH): Omar witnessed the signing of this treaty.
• Expedition against Khaybar (7 AH): Omar participated in this campaign.
• Conquest of Mecca (8 AH): Omar returned to Mecca as a conqueror after eight years. He also took part in the Battle of Hunayn and the Siege of Ta’if in the same year.
• Expedition to Tabuk (9 AH): Omar joined this expedition and performed Hajj with the Prophet Muhammad during the Farewell Pilgrimage in the same year.

Omar’s Leadership as Caliph

Omar ibn al-Khattab became the caliph after the death of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq on the 22nd of Jumada al-Thani in the 13th year of Hijra. He was well-known for his justice and fairness in resolving issues.

He was an expert judge, administering justice to both Muslims and non-Muslims. He earned the title “Al-Farooq” for his ability to clearly distinguish between right and wrong.

Notable Achievements of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab

During his caliphate, Omar ibn al-Khattab achieved many significant milestones:

• Establishment of the Hijri Calendar: He introduced the Islamic lunar calendar, which marks the beginning of the Islamic era and is still used today.
• Expansion of the Islamic State: Under his leadership, the Islamic State grew to include areas like Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Khurasan, Persia, the Levant, eastern Anatolia, southern Armenia, and Sistan.
• Conquest of Jerusalem: Omar led the first Islamic conquest of Jerusalem, making it a holy city in Islam. This had important religious and historical effects.
• Rapid Conquests: The Islamic empire expanded quickly under Omar’s rule, with many territories conquered in a short time.
• Strengthening the Islamic State: Despite the growth in population and diversity, Omar kept the state strong and unified through his fair and just governance.

Omar ibn al-Khattab’s leadership as the second caliph greatly influenced Islamic history and the spread of Islam.

The Death of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab

Many Persian converts, who secretly hated Omar ibn al-Khattab because of his defeat of their armies and the fall of their empires, still held grudges.

Some accounts suggest that they followed him during his pilgrimage in 644 CE and even said that Omar would never stand on that mountain again.

Omar was fatally stabbed by Abu Lu’lu’a, a Persian, while leading the Fajr (dawn) prayer on the 26th of Dhul-Hijjah in 644 CE.

The Muslims tried to capture Abu Lu’lu’a, but he escaped. Eventually, Abdul Rahman ibn Auf threw his cloak over him, causing him to fall and accidentally stab himself, resulting in his death by suicide.

Omar ibn al-Khattab was buried next to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, honoring his place as a highly respected figure in Islamic history.