Shaytaan (the Devil) fears Umar

The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated about Umar Ibn Al Khataab (may Allah be pleased with him) that when As-Shaytaan (the Devil) sees you walking down one path, he (As-Shaytaan) takes another.

The allusion here is yet another amazing accolade for Umar Ibn Al Khataab (may Allah be pleased with him). The Shaytaan actually feared to be in his presence, so he would go out of his miserable way, to avoid interacting with Umar Ibn Al Khataab (may Allah be pleased with him). It is testimony to the strength and resolve of this great individual that he would not be duped by the tricks of As-Shaytaan in trying to fool him with the transient desires and distractions of this wordly life.

Umar before Islam

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) had a very tough upbringing.

His father Al Khataab bin Nufail, was a very tough and harsh man who would be strict and stern with his children. Umar (when he became Khalifah of the Muslims) came across a place that brought back memories of his childhood so he related to The Companions who were with him the following:

“There is no God except Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, who gives whatever He wishes to whomever He wishes. I used to be a sheperd of the camels of my father in this place, and I would wear harsh clothing. And my father was harsh with me and he would make me exhausted when I worked and he would beat me if I didn’t work… and today, there is no one between me and Allah.”

This is one the many amazing contrasts in the journey of the life of Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu). How he was transformed by his Islam from being an obscure, wayward figure to one of the most powerful and just leaders in the history of humanity.

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) was before Islam a successful trader and business man, and he earned a lot of wealth from this. He was also a wrestler who would take part and compete in competitions at the sooqs (market places) and he was unbeatable.

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) was not a person who would do something half-hearted. He was not indecisive. The committment and discipline from him (once he was convinced on a course of action) was 100%, full speed ahead! He would put his heart and soul towards a cause before and after his acceptance of Islam. He would not sit on the sidelines, rather he would get involved. Therefore during his days before Islam (Jahiliyah – Ignorance), he would be one of the most enthusiastic, active and effective persucuters of the Muslims in Makkah. That was consistent with his strong resolve.

An example of this was his torture of a slave girl who was Muslim. He would lash her with a whip, during one point he sat down and looking at her said:

“I did not stop because I feel sorry for you, I stopped because I am tired.”

She replied “It is Allah who made you stop.”

It was therefore, unthinkable in the minds of the Muslims and the non-Muslims that the likes of Umar would EVER accept Islam. Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu), once witnessed some of the Muslims leaving Makkah to travel to Abbissinya. He asked on of the Muslim women:

“Are you leaving Makkah?”

She replied “Yes. Because you have oppressed us and persecuted us. We will travel in the land of Allah, so that we may practice our religion freely.”

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) replied: “May Allah, be with you.”

This statement was contrary to his behaviour towards Muslims. In fact it was amazing and showed a clear sign that Allah (The Almighty) was turning the heart of Umar towards Islam. When the same Muslim woman related his reply Nu’aim Ibn Abdillah upon his return from a journey. He replied:

“It appears you are hoping for Umar to become a Muslim…”

She replied yes. So Nu’aim said:

“Let me tell you something, the DONKEY of Umar’s father will become Muslim before he does!”

This humerous statement demonstrates how strongly the people felt that he would never come to Islam. However, not only did he accept Islam, but became one of the strongest and most devoted Muslims and followers of Rasulullah Sal Allahu Alayhi WaSalaam ever!

This clearly demontrates that guidance to Islam (Hidayah) is in the hands of Allah. And He can turn the heart of whomever He chooses from amongst His creation.

Umar’s deep sense of humility

One of the most amazing and moving narrations in relation to Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu), is one where we see a beautiful example of his deep sense of humlity. It is an example that often brings tears to my eyes at the sublime character of one who was blessed with so much, yet had the sublime character to attribute all his blessings to Allah (the Almighty).

The story is narrated by his friend and close advisor at the time, Abdur Rahman Ibn Auf (RadiAllahu Anhu).

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) called all the people to the masjid once, during the time of his khilafah, at a time when he was the most powerful and influential leader of the superpower of the time. He stood upon the pulpit and said:

“I used to work as a shepard for some of my Aunts and I would come back at the end of the day, and they would give me a handful of dates or raisins… and I would have a miserable day (i.e. that was how poor he was, to work the entire day with such little reward).”

That was his entire khutbah. He came down from the pulpit. Abdur Rahman Ibn Auf (RadiAllahu Anhu) told him that he has done nothing more that belittle himself infront of the people by saying such a thing. What was the point of this khutbah?!

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) replied:

“Woe be to you son of Auf. My ‘self’ was telling me ‘you are the khalifah of the Muslims, who is better than you?’. So I wanted to teach my ‘self’ a lesson by reminding it who it really is…”

Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) cannot be fooled by anyone even his own self! It is a testimony to how Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) closed all the doors to the influence of the Shaytaan. Shaytaan cannot influence you unless you open the doors of yourself to him. The example of Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) is of one who closed those doors. Umar Ibn Al Khataab (RadiAllahu Anhu) would say “I am not a deceiver, nor will I allow myself to be deceived.”

A Portrait of the Man

It is helpful for readers to form in their minds a mental image or portrait of The Companions so that it can help us to understand the impact of their presence.

In light of this, the following is a physical description as narrated by Imam Anwar Al Awlaki from his excellent series of talks on the life of Umar Ibn Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):

“He was a towering figure. Whenever he would be among any group he would be the tallest among them. When you would see him from a distance, you would think that he is riding his mount (on a camel), while everyone else is standing. He was very well built, not overweight, and he was described as having a ‘lot of flesh on his bones’, but it was all muscle. He was a wrestler (before Islam) and he had the physique of a wreselter.

His limbs were large and he had a large frame to his body and his hands and feet were also large. He was bald headed. He was described as being fair-skinned (relative to the people who live in the Arabian peninsula). There was some redness to his colour. He would use Henna to dye his hair in old age. His moustache was long and he would twist his moustache when he was upset.

When he would walk he would walk fast. When he would speak you could hear him from a distance and when he strikes, he strikes with strength. He hurts! His presence was intimidating to his enemies, and it would strike fear into the hearts of both friend and foe alike.”

So the personality and physical presence of Umar Ibn Al Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was one of strength.

The amazing irony of this description is that despite the strength and intimidating presence, his eyes would flow with tears easily and he had a soft and merciful heart. In addition he was a very humble individual.

This paints the picture of a very unique person, for someone having such bold characteristics such as a strong physique, intimidating presence, would be inclined to misuse these characteristics by becoming harsh, aggressive and tyrannical. Also, people with soft and compassionate hearts tend to be weak, yet Umar embodied both the strength and the compassion and this is one of the many things that made him special.

If there was to be a Prophet after me, it would be Umar.

The Prophet SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam said:

“If there was to be a Prophet after me, it would be Umar.” [Tirmidhi]

Few statements can match the impact and profound gravity of this statement, as it captures in very few words, the immense position and regard of Umar Ibn Al Khattaab (may Allah be pleased with him).

So many of the attributes of the Prophets of Allah were instilled within him, that if there were to be a Prophet after the Prophet Muhammed SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam, it would have been Umar.

Also, were Allah to have chosen him, he would have been most similar to Nuh and Musa (peace be upon them both). As Umar’s strength, resolve, determination and physique resembled them most from amongst the Prophets of Allah (peace be upon them all).