Umar’s Islam (Part 1)

The following story is one of the most famous and well-loved narrations in the history of this Ummah. I personally find it both moving and exhilarating at how the likes of Umar Ibn Al Khattab (RadiAllahu Anhu) who was such a staunch enemy of Islam, turned from being an enemy to being one of it’s greatest figures and brightest stars. It demonstrates clearly that Hidayah (guidance) is only from Allah ‘azza wa jal. And we surely ask Allah ‘azza wa jal to guide us to His path.

The story of Umar’s Islam continues. Despite the numerous events that took place that began to soften his heart towards Islam, he was still very much an enemy to Islam and the Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam).

One day, while the Mushrikeen of Makkah were in discussion on how to deal with the ‘problem’ of Muhammed (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam), they asked each other who would volunteer to kill him. Umar said he would do it and they all agreed. This demonstrates how bold and decisive Umar was, even in his days of misguidance.

It was a hot day in Makkah. Umar took out his sword, and stalked down the streets of Makkah, resolved on his deadly mission: to kill, the Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam). There were few Muslims left in Makkah other than those close to the Prophet himself. Most had been ordered to migrate (make Hijrah) to Abyssinia. Umar was heading for the house of al-Arkham where it was known that the Prophet and his companions held their gatherings.

One of the companions of the Prophet (who was a Muslim in secret due to the persecution in Makkah) saw the stalking Umar striding with purpose down the street with a look of evil in his eyes. So he stopped Umar and asked him where he was going. Umar replied:

“To this man… who has disunited our people, and who has made fools out of us, and who has cursed our gods. I am going to kill him.”

So the companion replied:
“It seems that you are too confident of yourself. Do you think that the tribe of the Prophet are going to let you walk on the face of this earth after you have killed their man?”

Umar was upset so they started an arguement. Judging by the protective tone of voice of this man, Umar judged that he must be a Muslim so he told him the he would start by killing him first! The whole point of this companion’s attempt to divert Umar from his deadly mission was to save the life of the Prophet. So when he saw that there was no convincing Umar, the companion replied:

“Well perhaps you should start by sorting your household out first.”

Umar demanded what he meant by this, and the companion told him, that Umar’s own sister and her husband had become Muslim. It must be undstood that this companion only resorted to this when he saw that nothing else would stop Umar. The sister of Umar (Fatima) was Muslim in secret and so was her husband (Saeed Ibn Zayd). By telling Umar of their Islam he knew he was jepordising their lives by exposing their secret. But for the sake of saving the Prophet (SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam), anything and everything is to be sacrificed for him.

Umar, at this point, changed his course and headed straight for the house of his sister, Fatima (RadiAllahu Anha).