Basics of Religious Education — Page 237
237 237 237 237 237 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION His personal name was `Umar, Farooq was his title, and Ibn-Khattaab was his family name. He was born in 581 A. D. in Mecca, and belonged to a noble family of the Quraish. He was a renowned businessman and used to lead trade delegations to Syria and Iraq. When the Holy Prophet sa announced his claim to prophethood, Hadrat Umar Farooq ra became a fierce opponent of Islam. So much so, that one day he took up a sword and left his house with the intention to kill the Holy Prophet sa. On his way, someone told him to first deal with his own sister and brother- in-law who had accepted Islam. He went straight to them and when he knocked at their door, he could hear the Holy Qur’an being recited inside the house. He became furious and started beating his brother-in-law, and wounded his sister who tried to protect her husband. His wounded sister said in a resolute voice, "Umar! You may beat us as much as you like, but we are not going to change our faith. ” This made him calm down, and he asked them to recite a portion of the Holy Qur’an for him. He was so moved by the Qur'anic verses that his eyes filled with tears. He went straight to the Holy Prophet sa and accepted Islam at his hand. As he was a strong, fearless and influential man of Mecca, he proved to be a source of strength for the Muslims. This miraculous change in Hadrat `Umar ra was in fact the result of the Holy Prophet’s prayers for him. Hadrat `Umar ra devoted his wealth and dedicated his life for the cause of Islam. He was an intelligent and God-fearing person. He participated in almost all the battles along with the Holy Prophet sa , who used to consult him in many important matters. Hadrat `Umar bin Khattaab was the second successor of the Holy Prophet sa. During the ten years of his Khilafat, the Islamic state expanded and progressed extensively. Peace and prosperity prevailed everywhere in the state. A brief account of his Khilafat is given as follows: Hadr Hadr Hadr Hadr Hadra a a a at `Umar F t `Umar F t `Umar F t `Umar F t `Umar Far ar ar ar arooq ooq ooq ooq ooq r r r r ra a a a a The Second Khalifa Period of Khilafat: 634 A. D. to 644 A. D. 6. 4 6. 4 6. 4 6. 4 6. 4 H H H H H O L O L O L O L O LY Y Y Y Y P P P P P R O P H E T R O P H E T R O P H E T R O P H E T R O P H E T SA SA SA SA SA A N D A N D A N D A N D A N D S S S S S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S U C C E S S O R S — H — H — H — H — H A D R A A D R A A D R A A D R A A D R AT T T T T `U `U `U `U `U M A R M A R M A R M A R M A R F F F F F A R O O Q A R O O Q A R O O Q A R O O Q A R O O Q R A R A R A R A R A His Life His Khilafat