Hazrat Umar Farooq — Page 9
With Umar’s acceptance of Islam their courage was boosted and they felt that they could worship God openly. The Holy Prophet gave Hadhrat Umar the title ‘Farooq’, so he was known by the name ‘Umar Farooq’. Farooq means, “the one who distinguishes between right and wrong. ” HADHRAT UMAR WAS PERSECUTED IN THE NAME OF ISLAM As the number of Muslims grew larger, the Makkans stepped up the persecution, thinking that they could prevent the further spread of Islam through the use of force. The Holy Prophet told the Muslims to be patient and pray to God Almighty. He told them that to remain steadfast in the wake of persecution is a good quality by which a person can win the pleasure of God Almighty. The slaves who had accepted Islam were treated most cruelly. Makkans spared Hadhrat Umar, being an influential person in Makkah, from the ill treatment by the Makkans. Hadhrat Umar did not like this. He wanted everybody to know that he had become a Muslim and was ready to lay down his life for Islam like any other Muslim. Once he knocked at the door of a very bitter enemy of Islam, Abu Jahl, and recited the Kalima, the Declaration of Faith, in his presence. Abu Jahl judged Umar’s mood, listened to him and then shut the door of his house in order to avoid a fight. Hadhrat Umar then went to the house of another Quraish chief but he too avoided him. Someone suggested that he should go to the Ka ‘ bah and announce his acceptance of Islam face to face to a person called Jameel. Hadhrat Umar went to the Ka ‘ bah and saw Jameel sitting along with his friends. Hadhrat Umar stepped forward and announced his acceptance of Islam. Jameel shouted, “O people, listen to what Umar is saying. He says that he had relinquished the religion of his forefathers. ” At this they started beating Umar. By chance Hadhrat Umar’s uncle passed that way. He rescued Umar by announcing that Umar was under his protection. On hearing this people left him alone. It was an Arab custom that whenever an influential person declared that someone was under his protection they would not harm that person. Hadhrat Umar was not at all pleased at this. He did not want the Makkans to persecute his fellow Muslims and leave him alone. He requested his uncle not to take him under his protection. Reluctantly his uncle agreed. Not long after Hadhrat Umar was again subjected to persecution. Hadhrat Umar used to say afterwards that he did not mind being beaten in the cause of Allah. HADHRAT UMAR MIGRATES TO MADINAH When God commanded Muslims to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, Hadhrat Umar was the only one who didn’t leave Makkah secretly. He hung his sword by his side, took his bow and arrows and went on horseback to the Ka ‘ bah. He performed seven circuits of the Ka ‘ bah, went to Maqam-i-Ibrahim, the Place of Abraham and offered Prayer. Then he addressed the Arab chiefs who were present there and said, “I am leaving Makkah for Madinah. Does anyone dare stop me?” No one had the courage to stop him. 9