Infomanya-English

Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), the second Caliph of Islam, is remembered for his justice, courage, and devotion to Allah. His leadership strengthened the foundations of the early Islamic state, and his decisions became benchmarks of fairness and governance. The incident of his martyrdom profoundly impacted the Muslim community and altered the course of Islamic history, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership and piety.

Era of Caliphate

Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), after the passing of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), assumed the position of Caliphate in 634 CE (13 AH) and continued leading the Muslim Ummah until 644 CE (23 AH). During his rule, the Islamic state had transformed into a well-organized and powerful empire, whose borders expanded beyond the Arabian Peninsula into Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Persia.

Despite ruling such a vast state, Hazrat Umar (RA) considered authority not a privilege but a trust. He established such a strict system of justice and accountability that the Caliph himself would walk the streets of Madinah at night as an ordinary citizen, inquire about the condition of the people, and if he found hunger, oppression, or injustice anywhere, he would hold himself accountable before anyone else.

The Tragic Incident of Martyrdom

On the morning of 26th Dhul Hijjah, 23 AH, Madinah was immersed

in an unusual silence. Rows had been completed in Masjid an-Nabawi ﷺ for the Fajr prayer, and Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) was leading the prayer before Allah. At that moment, Abu Lu’lu Feroz, also known as Feroz Nahawandi, a Persian slave, suddenly entered the front rows. He held a double-edged, poison-coated dagger in his hand.

With extreme speed and brutality, he struck Hazrat Umar (RA) multiple times, delivering six consecutive blows. Despite being severely wounded, Hazrat Umar (RA) tried to prevent the prayer from being disrupted and immediately signaled Hazrat Abdul Rahman bin Awf (RA) to step forward and complete the prayer. Meanwhile, the attacker carried out indiscriminate strikes and wounded thirteen more worshippers, several of whom later embraced martyrdom due to the severity of their injuries. When Abu Lu’lu found himself surrounded from all sides, he took his own life with the same dagger to avoid capture.

Final Advice and Last Words

After the attack, when Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA) lay severely wounded on the ground, the very first question that came from his lips was: “Has the prayer been completed?” When he was told that the prayer had been offered, he said the historic words that summarized his entire life: “The one whose religion is without prayer has no religion.”

These words were a declaration that authority, power, and rule are all temporary, but prayer and the connection with Allah are the true foundation.

In those final moments, Hazrat Umar (RA) called his son Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) and gave his will with utmost simplicity and accountability: that my shroud should be simple, every debt taken from the public treasury must be repaid, and no human being should suffer even the slightest injustice because of me. This advice was the final testimony to the character of this great Caliph, who remained accountable to the people throughout his life.

Burial and Honor of the Place

After the passing of Hazrat Umar Farooq (RA), permission for his burial was sought from Hazrat Aisha (RA). He was buried in Masjid an-Nabawi ﷺ at the place where the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) were already buried.

Thus, three great personalities came to rest in one place, which is not only a unique symbol in Islamic history but continues to remind the Muslim Ummah of justice, sacrifice, and guidance. This place later gained immense importance for every Muslim as a supreme example of justice and piety and kept the life and martyrdom of Hazrat Umar (RA) alive forever.