The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 220
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 220 heart of ‘Umar ra. After a short silence, he said to his sister, “Show me the word that you were reading. ” “I shall not,” responded Fāṭimah ra , “for you will destroy the leaflets. ” ‘Umar ra replied, “Nay, Nay! Please show me, I shall indeed return them to you. ” “But you are unclean,” said Fāṭimah ra , “and the Qur’ān should be touched in a state of purity. First bathe, then read. ” Perhaps her desire was also that by taking a bath, ‘ Umar’s ra rage would fully subside, after which he would be able to reflect with a cool heart. When ‘Umar ra had taken a bath, Fāṭimah ra placed the leaflets of the Qur’ān before him. When he took hold of them and saw, they were the opening verses of chapter Ṭā Hā. Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra began to read them with an awe-inspired heart and every single word deeply impressed the heart of this well-natured man. While reading, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra reached the following words: Meaning, “I am the one and only Creator and Master of this world. There is none worthy of worship except Me. So worship Me alone and devote your prayers to My remembrance. Lo! The promised hour cometh, but we have kept it secret, so that everyone may be recompensed for his endeavours. ” 1 When Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra recited this verse, it was as if his eye was opened, and his latent disposition was suddenly aroused. He powerlessly said, “What a strange and holy word this is!” When Khabbāb ra heard these words, he immediately came out, thanked God, and said: “This is due to the prayer of the messenger of Allāh. By God, it was only yesterday I heard the Holy Prophet sa pray that, ‘O Allāh! Do bless either ‘Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb or ‘ Amr bin Hishām (meaning Abū Jahl) with Islām. ’” Every moment was now becoming difficult for Ḥaḍrat ‘ Umar ra and he said to Khabbāb ra , “Tell me the way to Muḥammad sa at once. ” In the fervour of his excitement, he kept his sword unsheathed. During this time, the Holy Prophet sa was in the Dār-e-Arqam ; as such, Khabbāb ra gave him the location. ‘Umar ra went 1 Ṭā Hā (20:15-16)