Hazrat Umer (RA) – Biography of a second caliph of Islam

Touheed Ahmed
Hazrat Umer (RA) bin Khatab Biography

If we take a look on  Muslim history, many names come up that try to spread Islam with peace and prosperity. Among those names, the most highlighted name is of Hazrat Umer (RA) who was the second caliph of Muslims and Muslims enjoyed success and prosperity. Hazrat Umer (RA) was a great role model for every Muslim. His deeds are an ideal example for Muslims for every generation.

Hazrat Umer RA was born non-Muslim but then with the grace of Allah, he accepted Islam which was the turning point for the Muslim world as well. Hazrat Umer RA was the son of Khattab. Initially when he was no Muslim then the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) himself prayed from Allah in which he asked Allah to convert Umer in Muslim. Fortunately, Allah heard the voice of Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Hazrat Omer (RA) accepted Islam. After his becoming Muslim, he was given the title of Al Faroque which means one who can distinguish the right from the wrong. His conversion to Muslim was the most remarkable events in the history of the Islamic world. Before Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) passing away, he met with other Sahaba and decided to appoint Hazrat Omer (RA) as a second Caliph of Muslims. Thus he became second Caliph.

This was the best moments and the biggest achievement that Hazrat Omer (RA) awarded with powers and became Caliph.he was renowned for his simplicity, bravery, discipline, administration and some great conquests that took place during his tenure. Hazrat Umer (RA) brought some reforms in the governance which also became astonished the whole world later on. Few of them is given below

  1. He established Bait ul Maal (treasury for the poor)
  2. Complete judicial system was made in which different cases were resolved.
  3. He was the first person who made Army headquarters for the protection of the country.
  4. Proposed Jail system.
  5. Canals and roads were constructed in his tenure.
  6. Population census was made.
  7. welfare homes were built.

Further, he was the person who implemented the law of Hijab, he was the person who added some verses in the Azaan of Asir Namaz which said.

Namaz is better than sleep.
Namaz is better than sleep

The caliph introduced a new way to how to administer, he was very clever. Even the whole world follows his ways to administer.

As a ruler of the kingdom, his vision was to ensure that everyone in his kingdom should sleep with a full stomach. He didn’t have his only vision but transferred his vision into actions. He always walked through streets to seek for needy people or nobody sleep hungry. Often he ate stored meal and gave a fresh meal to the needy ones. He was very simple, once a man came to a Sahaba and said that he wanted to meet with their Caliph Hazrat Umer (RA). He took that man with himself and came in front of Hazrat Umer (RA), where he saw Hazrat Umer (RA) RA was sleeping down on the floor and rock was placed under his head, then that man was completely amazed and accepted Islam only for watching simplicity of great Caliph.

Holy Prophet PBUH Himself said if Allah wanted to send any Prophet behind me that will definitely be Hazrat Umer (RA).

He is the role model for every Muslim. He was the conclusion of principles, justice and humility. All his deeds and roles are not a single example can we put forward that shows that he performed his role less than perfect.

May Almighty Allah provide us with the heart to live life like Hazrat Umer (RA) lived and to become a better Muslim. Ameen

Note: The author was supervised By Mr Farhan Ali Soomro (PhD Scholar) & Teaching Assistant Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur.

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