#SundayGathering with Shaykh Omar Khan
Sayyiduna ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab (Allah be pleased with him)
Al Imam An Nawawi described Sayyiduna ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab (Allah be pleased with him) as “one of the early Muslims, one of the ten Companions guaranteed Jannah (Paradise), one of the father-in-laws of the Noble Prophet and one of the greatest and most pious scholars amongst the Companions.”
Sayyiduna Anas Ibn Maalik (Allah be pleased with him) narrated that ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab came out hanging his sword prior to entering into the folds of Islam. A man from Banu Zuhrah said, “Where do you intend to go O ‘Omar?” ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab said, “I intend to kill Muhammad.” The man asked, “How will you then be protected from Banu Haashim and Banu Zuhrah when you kill Muhammad?” ‘Omar said, “I think you have left your former religion.” The man replied, “Should I not inform you of something even more amazing? Indeed your brother-in-law and sister have forsaken their former religion.” So ‘Omar (Allah be pleased with him) set off and came to his brother-in-law and sister. Sayyiduna Khabbaab (Allah be pleased with him) was with them both. When he heard the voice of ‘Omar, Sayyiduna Khabbaab (Allah be pleased with him) hid in the house. ‘Omar entered and said, “What was this silent voice of supplication?” (They were reciting Surah Ta-Ha). The sister of ‘Omar and the brother-in-law (Sayyiduna Sa’eed Ibn Zaid) said, “Only a discussion that was between us.” ‘Omar said, “It seems as though you have both left your former religion.” ‘Omar’s brother-in-law said, “O ‘Omar, the truth is not in your religion.” ‘Omar jumped upon his brother-in-law and struck him severely. ‘Omar’s sister came to push him away from her husband. ‘Omar hit her with a blow causing her face to bleed. The sister of ‘Omar said whilst angry, “Indeed the truth is not in your religion. Indeed I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger.” ‘Omar said, “Give me the book which is with you so I can read it.” ‘Omar was able to read. His sister said, “Indeed you are impure and only the pure can touch it so stand and bathe or do Wudhu.” So ‘Omar stood and performed Wudhu. Then he took the book and read the first few Verses of Surah Ta-Ha. Then Sayyiduna ‘Omar (Allah be pleased with him) said, “Guide me to Muhammad.” When Sayyiduna Khabbaab heard Sayyiduna ‘Omar saying this, he said, “Glad tidings to you O ‘Omar, for indeed I hope that the supplication for you by the Messenger of Allah on Thursday has benefitted you when he (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “O Allah, grant honour to Islam through
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/AlMuhammadiyya | www.Al-Muhammadiyya.com ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab or ‘Amr Ibn Hishaam.” The Master of all creation (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was in the area of As Safaa in a house when Sayyiduna ‘Omar came to accept Islam. Sayyiduna Hamzah and Sayyiduna Talhah and a group of Companions were at the door of the house. Sayyiduna Hamzah said, “This is ‘Omar. If Allah destines goodness for him, he will enter into the folds of Islam. However, if He wills other than that for him then killing him is easy for us.” At the time the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was receiving revelation in the house. When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came out, he said, “O ‘Omar will you continue (upon your disbelief and transgression) until Allah disgraces you and punishes you like the disgrace and punishment that descended upon Waleed Ibn Al Mugheerah?” Sayyiduna ‘Omar said, “I testify that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that you are His chosen servant and Messenger.”
Sayyiduna Hamzah Ibn ‘Abdil Muttalib entered into the folds of Islam a few days before Sayyiduna ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab (Allah be pleased with them both).1 Ibn Majah and Al Haakim narrate from Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas that Sayyiduna Jibril descended when Sayyiduna 'Omar accepted Islam and said, "O Muhammad! The dwellers of the Heavens are rejoicing upon the Islam of 'Omar.”
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas that Sayyiduna ‘Omar (Allah be pleased with him) was the first person to openly carry out worship and fearlessly announce his acceptance of Islam. As narrated by Sayyiduna Suhayb, it was after the acceptance of Islam by Sayyiduna ‘Omar that the propagation of Islam was carried out openly and it was after his acceptance of Islam that Muslims prayed near the Holy Ka’bah and would go around the Holy Ka’bah without fear.
Ibn ‘Asaakir narrates that Sayyiduna ‘Ali stated, “I do not know of anyone who migrated without hiding except for ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab. When he intended to migrate, he hung his sword around his neck and carried his bow upon his shoulder and he had arrows ready in his hands. He went to the Holy Ka’bah whilst the leaders of Quraish were around it. He went around it in Tawaaf seven times and then prayed in front of the Maqaam (station) of Ibrahim. He then went to each of the circles of the leaders of Quraish and he said to each of them, “May your faces be disfigured. Whoever wishes that his mother lose him, his children become orphans and his wives become widows then he should meet me behind this valley.” Not one of them followed him.”2
1 Dalaail un Nubuwwah of Abu Nu’aym 2 Taareekh ud Dimashq
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/AlMuhammadiyya | www.Al-Muhammadiyya.com Many Verses of the Holy Qur'an were revealed confirming that the views expressed before their revelation by Sayyiduna 'Omar were correct. Ibn Mardawayh narrates from Mujaahid who said, "Omar used to express a view and then the Qur'an would be revealed confirming his view." 3 Sayyiduna Ibn 'Omar narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), "Whenever the people expressed an opinion and 'Omar expressed an opinion, the Noble Qur'an was revealed confirming what 'Omar had expressed." 4
Sayyiduna ‘Omar Ibn Al Khattaab (Allah be pleased with him) was attacked by a fire worshipping slave called Abu Lu-Lu as he was preparing to lead Salaat-ul-Fajr on 26 Dhul Hijjah 23 AH. His soul departed from this temporary world a few days later. His Khilafah was spread out across 10 years, 6 months and 4 days and is a great example of the justice, fairness and steadfastness that is required of a true Islamic leader. Islam spread across the world during the era of Sayyiduna 'Omar and it was during his Khilafah that centres of the Islamic world were conquered such as Damascus, Jerusalem and Basrah as well as many other places.
3 At Tafseer Durr ul Manthoor 4 Taareekh ud Dimashq
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