OMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB – The second Caliph in this nation
The life of humans and jinn always ends with death and there is no exception. No one escapes death even if he is the best of God’s creation.
Omar Ibn Al-Khattab held a high status amongst the tribe of Quraysh before being Muslim. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him recognised this and asked Allah to strengthen Islam by guiding Omar Ibn Al-Khattab or Abi Jahl “Amr Ibn Hisham” to embrace Islam.
The supplication of Prophet Mohammad was answered and Omar Ibn Al-Khattab became Muslim. After the death of Prophet Muhammad and after the death of the first Caliph Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, the Muslims appointed Omar Ibn Al-Khattab as the second Caliph.
The Caliph Omar served the Muslims greatly with his praised innovations and his benefiting projects such as the following:
Initiating the Hijjri Calendar.
Gathering people to perform the Tarawih prayer jama^ah.
Building an extension to the Masjid Al-Haram.
Furthermore, many other great historical events which Muslims of today are proud to claim as part of their heritage took place during his caliphate.
Omar Ibn Al-Khattab was man of noble attributes; he was a man of truth and dignity.
Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him praised him in many of his ahadith. In one of them the Prophet said to Omar what means:
“Whenever Satan approaches near to your path he turns onto another direction”.
This illustrates the strength of Omar’s faith in Allah. In another hadith the prophet said what means:
“Your tongue and your heart always serve in justice”.
Master ^Umar was known for his many words of wisdom and morals. Among them was his saying: “Judge your deeds before they are judged and weigh your deeds before they are weighed. It is easier upon you to judge yourself today for The Day of Judgment and to weigh your deeds today in preparation for that day.” In these words is an urge for us to monitor our deeds closely and to deny our self the indulging of desire in order to protect our self from the harm of this life and in the hereafter.
The great companion and Caliph Omar ruled for ten years serving the Muslims, at the same time he spent his nights praying and his days fasting may Allah bless him and help us to follow his path Ameen.