Thread by @Thread_Writer, The Virtues and Merits of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).[THREAD] 1. Name, lineage [...]

The Virtues and Merits of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).

[THREAD]

1. Name, lineage and kunya.
It is unanimously accepted that his name was Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).

His lineage is ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb ibn Nufayl ibn ʿAbd al-ʿUzzā ibn Riyāḥ ibn ʿAbd Allāh ibn Qurṭ ibn Razāḥ ibn ʿAdī ibn Kaʿb ibn Lu’ayy ibn Ghalāb Al-Qurashi Al-‘Adawi. His lineage meets with that of the Prophet (SAW) at Kaʿb ibn Lu’ayy.

He was known as Abū Ḥafṣ, which means father of the lion cub, but it can also refer to Ḥafṣah (RA), his daughter. And Allah knows best.

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/41, The Prophet and His Ten Companions page 164-165, The Ten Promised Jannah page 128.

2. His Household.

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) married more than one wife and he had a lot of children.

The Ten Promised Jannah page 119, The Prophet and His Ten Companions page 165-166.

3. Titles and Honorifics.

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was given the following titles and honorifics:

• Al-Fārūq (The Criterion, The one who distinguishes between right and wrong).
He was named Al-Fārūq by Rasūlullāh (SAW) because after he converted to Islam,

he openly showed his Islam with the rest of the Muslims in Mecca and thus a separation was made between truth and falsehood.

Tarikh al-Khulafa’ ar-Rashidun page 114, this is an extract from a bigger narration from Ibn Abbas (RA).

• Khalīfah ar-Rāshidūn (The Righteous Caliph).
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was the second caliph after the death of Abu Bakr as-Siddeeq (RA). He ruled for 10 years Umar (RA) from 634-644 AD/12-22 AH.

• Amīr al-Mu’minīn (Commander of the Believers).
He was the first to be named Amīr al-Mu’minīn.

Tarikh al-Khulafa’ ar-Rashidun page 143-144.

4. His virtues and merits during the Jahiliyya:

• He was literate. Very few people in Arabia (in fact only 17 people from Quraish were literate) at that time knew how to read and write.

Al-Farooq page 38, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/44.

• He was a hard worker even at an early age. He used to gather firewood and he used to tend the livestock of his father and maternal aunts. Which in turn helped him to develop good traits such as patience, toughness, sturdiness and so on.

Al-Farooq page 35-36, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/44-46.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was skilled in a lot of things including: genealogy, horsemanship, wrestling, public speaking, trading etc. He also used to be an ambassador and he used to judge in disputes between the Arabs.

Al-Farooq 36-37, Tarikh al-Islam 1/318, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/46-48.

5. His virtues and merits after embracing Islam:

• Allah (SWT) answered Muhammad’s (SAW) Dua and thus Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) became a Muslim.

Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3681.

• When he became a Muslim, Islam was made open and the Muslims felt safe to pray and circumambulate at the Kaaba.

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/59.

• The Muslims became powerful since Umar (RA) accepted Islam.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3684.

• If there was to be a prophet after Muhammad (SAW), then Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) would have been a prophet.

Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3686.

• Umar in Al-Khattab (RA) was an inspired person.

Biographies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs page 152.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) is one of the 10 Promised Jannah.

Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3747.

• He received glad tidings of Paradise.

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1554.

• A palace was built for him in Paradise.

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1550.

• Allah (SWT) has put the truth in his heart and tongue.

Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3682.

• In general because of his deep understanding of Islam and its aims, verses on the Qur’an were revealed which coincided with his opinion in some occasions such as:

a) According to Musnad Ahmad 250, verses were revealed that coincided with the opinion of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) on the matters of the place of worship (2:125), hijab and the Wives of the Prophet (66:5).

b) According to Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1767, a verse (9:84) was revealed that coincided with Umar’s opinion regarding not offering prayer to the hypocrites.

c) According to Musnad Ahmad 221, verses (8:67-68) were revealed that coincided with Umar’s opinion regarding the prisoners of Badr.

d) Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) and the verses related to the prohibition of alcohol.

Musnad Ahmad 378.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was praised by Rasūlullāh (SAW).

Jami’ a-Tirmidhi 3795

• He was the second most beloved male companion to Rasūlullāh (SAW).

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1542, Sunan Ibn Majah 102.

• According to Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) is the second among the best people after Rasūlullāh (SAW).

Sunan Abi Dawud 4629.

• He was the one who adhered the most sternly to the religion of Allah (SWT).

Sunan Ibn Majah 154-155.

• He prayed a lot during the night.

Biography of the Righly Guided Caliphs page 169.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was generous and he used to give charity for the Sake of Allah (SWT).

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1056, Sunan Abi Dawud 1678, Musnad Ahmad 316 and Al-Adab al-Mufrad 201.

• Besides generosity, he possessed qualities such as seriousness and he was a hard working individual.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3687.

• The Shaytan would avoid Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).

Tarikh al-Khulafa ar-Rashidun page 117.

• It was shown in the dreams of Rasūlullāh (SAW) that Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was really pious and that he was blessed with knowledge (regarding religion and leadership).

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1546-1547, Biographies of the Rightly Guided Caliphs page 164.

• He lived an ascetic life, even when he was a Caliph.

‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) His Life and Times 1/237-238.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) greatly extended the borders of the Islamic Caliphate. All the territories in pink were conquered during the time of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA).

• Rasūlullāh (SAW) stated that Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) will be a martyr and he died as a martyr (as he was killed by Abu Lu’lu’ah LA).

Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 3697.

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was praised by Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA) even after he passed away.

Al-Lu’lu wal Marjan 1545.

In conclusion, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) was a man with an abundant amount of virtues and merits and he was known for his piety, generosity and justice.

Sources:
1. The Holy Qur'an.