Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anu)

ELECTION

Before he passed away, Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) consulted the senior Sahaba and elected Sayyiduna

Umar (radi Allahu anhu) as the second Caliph of the Muslims.

EARLY LIFE

He was the son of Khattab and is famous in Islamic history as "Al Farooq" or "One who Distinguishes between

Right and Wrong." His acceptance of Islam is also very famous.

AS A CALIPH

Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) was a very brave and straight-forward person. He was tough and uncompromising

in Islamic principles. He was a great and talented ruler. During his Khilaafat, vast areas of the Roman and Persian.

The Holy Quran was given to him by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) for safe-keeping.

APPOINTS NEW COMMANDER

Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anu) was a strong disciplinarian.

Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu) happily accepted the orders of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and

then served as an ordinary soldier.

ASSASSINATION

A Persian non-Muslim, named Firoz and nicknamed "Abu Lulu," complained to Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu)

about his master, Sayyiduna Mughirah bin Shuba (radi Allahu anhu), who imposed tax on him. Sayyiduna Umar (radi

Allahu anhu) told Firoz that the tax was reasonable. This made Firoz angry.

The next day, during the Fajr Salaah, he stabbed Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) 6 times in the back, severely

wounding the Caliph. Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) passed away 3 days later in 23 A.H. He was 63 years old. He

ruled the Islamic State for 10 years, 6 months and 4 days.

REFORMS

In a short space of 10 years, Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) had been well-known for his outstanding

achievements and reforms in Islam. Some of these reforms were:-

1. He established the "Baitul Maal" (People's treasury for the state and public).

2. Judicial courts of Justice were set in the country. Judges and Magistrates handled all cases.

3. Establishment of an army headquarters for the defence of the country.

4. Construction of roads and canals.

5. Schools were established. Salaries for Imams, Mu'azzins and Ustaads were organized.

6. Masjids were improved and built in Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinatul Munawwarah. This included facilities

for the Haajis.

7. Police Stations and prisons were built.

8. Establishment of the first Islamic Lunar calendar beginning from the Hijrah.

9. Proper weights and measures introduced.

10. Population census established.

11. Built orphanages and welfare homes.

12. Established proper punishment system and banned slavery.

PERSONAL LIFE

Simplicity and devotion were the main characters of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu). He used to wear clothes that

had many patches and yet received Governors, convoys and diplomats. He took just enough allowance from the State

to have a simple meal and wear simple clothes. At times he was very poor. He used to visit the old people and sick

and even do their house work. He used to visit the houses of the soldiers and inquire about their families. He stayed

awake at night in Salaah and often kept Fast. He always supported and upheld the cause of Islam, with his wisdom,

energy, dynamism, bravery and little wealth.