Hazrat Umar’s (ra) Acceptance of Islam

Narration 1

The Holy Prophet (sa) had also prayed for Hazrat Umar (ra) to accept the message of Islam. In relation to this, there is a narration. Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الْاِسْلَامَ بِأَحَبِّ هٰذَيْنِ الرَّجُلَيْنِ إِلَيْكَ بِأَبِيْ جَهْلٍ أَوْ بِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ

“O Allah! Whoever is dearer to you between Abu Jahl and Umar bin Al-Khattab, grant honour to Islam through him.”

Ibn Umar (ra) relates further, “Among these two, Hazrat Umar (ra) was dearer to Allah.”

(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Manaqib, Bab fi Manaqib Abi Hafs Umar bin al-Khattab (ra), Hadith 3681)

Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَيِّدِ الدِّيْنَ بِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ

“O Allah! Grant support to the faith through Umar bin Al-Khattab.”

Hazrat Aisha (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الْإِسْلَامَ بِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ خَاصَّةً

“O Allah! Grant honour to Islam especially through Umar bin Al-Khattab.”

(Mustadrak lil Hakim ala al-Sahihain, Vol. 3, p. 89, Kitab Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, bab min Manaqib Amir al-Mu‘minin Umar bin al-Khattab (ra), Hadith 4483-4485, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2002)

One day prior to Hazrat Umar (ra) accepting Islam, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَيِّدِ الْإِسْلَامَ بِأَحَبِّ الرَّجُلَيْنِ إِلَيْكَ، عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ أَوْ عَمْرِو بْنِ هِشَامٍ

“O Allah! Whoever is dearer to you between these two men, that is, Umar bin Al-Khattab and Amr bin Al-Hisham, grant honour to Islam through him.”

When Hazrat Umar (ra) accepted Islam, Angel Gabriel (as) descended [from the heavens] and said, “O Muhammad (sa)! Even the heavens are pleased with Umar’s acceptance of Islam.” This is a narration from Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Bab Islam Islam Umar (ra) [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1996], p. 123)

Narration 2 : Further Details

Further details in relation to Hazrat Umar (ra)’s acceptance of Islam are as follows: Hazrat Umar bin Al-Khattab (ra) accepted Islam in Dhul-Hijjah, 6 Nabawi.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1990], p. 204)

There are various accounts and narrations mentioned in the books of hadith and history in relation to the factors that led to his acceptance of Islam.

One of the narrations regarding his acceptance of Islam has been recorded in Al-Sirah Al-Halabiya in which it states that on one occasion, Abu Jahl said to the people:

“O people of Quraish! Muhammad (sa) speaks against your idols and considers you bereft of wisdom. Moreover, he states that your idols are the fuel for the hell-fire. Thus, I announce that whosoever among you kills Muhammad (sa), he will receive a reward of a hundred red camels and a 1,000 auqiyah of silver.”

One auqiyah was equal to 40 dirhams at the time, which is approximately 126 grams; however, according to others, it was even more than this. In any case, it was a very large amount which was fixed as a reward. One auqiyah is equivalent to 126 grams, which is a very large amount that had been fixed as a reward. According to another narration, he stated that whoever would kill the Holy Prophet (sa) would receive “X” auqiyah of gold and silver and also such and such amount of musk, precious clothes as well as many other items. Upon this, Hazrat Umar (ra) stated that he would be the one who would attain this reward. The people present at the time all agreed that he would indeed be the one to attain this reward. Thereafter, Hazrat Umar (ra) settled a formal agreement with him. Hazrat Umar (ra) states that after this, he set out in search of the Holy Prophet (sa) with an unsheathed sword hanging from his shoulder. Along the way, he passed by a certain place where a calf was being slaughtered. From the stomach of the calf, he heard a voice, “O progeny of Dhareeh!” Dhareeh was the name of the calf that was being slaughtered. And the one who was saying this then stated in a clear voice, inviting him to the bear witness that “there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad (sa) is His Messenger”. Hazrat Umar (ra) states that he felt as if this indication for him.

(Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 1, Bab al-Hijrah al-Ula ila Ard al-Habshah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2002], p. 470) (Lughat al-Hadith, Vo. 4, p. 527)

That is, if this tradition from Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah is correct, it is possible that this was a vision which Hazrat Umar (ra) experienced at the time whereby he also heard this voice.

Third Narration

The third narration in regard to Hazrat Umar’s (ra) acceptance of Islam is as follows:

Hazrat Umar (ra) relates, “One day I arrived at the Haram with the intention to perform tawaf [i.e. perform circuits of the Ka‘bah]. At the time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was standing there offering his prayers. Whenever he would offer his prayers, he would face in the direction of Syria, i.e. towards the rock in Baitul Maqdas. And he would stand in such a way that the qiblah would come between him and the direction of Syria. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) would be stood between the Hajr al-Aswad [Black Stone] and Rukn al-Yamani [The Yemeni Corner]. (The Rukn al-Yamani is the south-eastern corner of the Ka‘bah and is in the direction of Yemen) and without [standing there] one cannot not face Baitul Maqdas.

Hazrat Umar (ra) further states:

“When I saw the Holy Prophet (sa), I decided that I would listen to what he recited. Then I thought that if I went close to him in order to listen, he may become alerted [of my presence], therefore I came from the side of the Hajr al-Aswad and stood behind the drapes of the Ka‘bah and began to slowly walk across. The Holy Prophet (sa) remained occupied in his prayer and was reciting Surah al-Rahman. I eventually stood right before the Holy Prophet (sa) in the direction he was facing and there was nothing between me and him apart from the drapes of the Ka‘bah. When I heard the recitation of the Holy Quran, my heart began to melt and I began to cry and the message of Islam had penetrated inside me. I remained standing where I was until the Holy Prophet (sa) had completed his prayer and returned from there. I began to walk behind the Holy Prophet (sa). When the Holy Prophet (sa) heard the sound of my footsteps, he recognised me. The Holy Prophet (sa) thought that perhaps I was walking behind him in order to cause him harm. And so, the Holy Prophet (sa) admonished me, saying, ‘O Ibn Khattab! With what intention have you come here so late into the night?’ I submitted, ‘I have come to profess my belief in Allah, His Messenger (sa) and that which has been revealed to him by Allah.’”

Fourth Narration:

The fourth narration that is found is as follows:

Hazrat Umar (ra) relates:

“One night, my sister began to feel labour pains and so I left my house and went to the Ka‘bah. Whilst holding onto the drapes of the Ka‘bah, I began to pray. At the same time, the Holy Prophet (sa) also arrived and offered his prayer near the Hajr al-Aswad as much as Allah had willed for him. At that moment, I had heard such words, which I had never heard before. And so, when the Holy Prophet (sa) left from there, I began to walk behind him.

“The Holy Prophet (sa) enquired, ‘Who is it?’ to which I replied, ‘Umar’. The Holy Prophet (sa) then stated, ‘O Umar, you do not leave me alone in the day nor in the night.’ Upon this, I became fearful lest the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed against me and immediately proclaimed:

اَشْهَدُ‭ ‬اَنْ‭ ‬لَّا‭ ‬اِلٰهَ‭ ‬اِلَّا‭ ‬اللّٰهُ‭ ‬وَاَنَّكَ‭ ‬رَسُوْلُ‭ ‬اللّٰهِ‮ ‬‭ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“‘I bear witness that there is none of worthy of worship except Allah and indeed you are the Messenger (sa) of Allah.’

“Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘O Umar! Do you wish to keep your Islam hidden [from others]?’ I submitted, ‘No, I swear by Him Who has sent you with the true religion that I will declare my acceptance of Islam just as I would previously declare my belief in shirk.’ Upon this the Holy Prophet (sa) praised Allah the Almighty and said, ‘O Umar! May Allah keep you steadfast upon the truth.’ Thereafter, the Holy Prophet (sa) rubbed his hand over my chest and prayed for me to remain steadfast. After this, I left from there and the Holy Prophet (sa) returned to his home.”

(Ali bin Burhan al-Din al-Halabi, Al-Sirah al-Halabiyyah, Vol. 1, Bab al-Hijrah al-Ula ila Ard al-Habshah [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2002] p. 469) (Farhang-e-Sirat, p. 135)

Fifth Narration

The fifth narration in regard to Hazrat Umar’s (ra) acceptance of Islam, which is a very famous one, and some of its details have been briefly mentioned previously as well is as follows:

Hazrat Anas (ra) bin Malik relates that one day, Hazrat Umar (ra) left his house with his sword drawn. Along the way he met someone from among the Banu Zuhra and asked, “O Umar! What are your intentions?” Hazrat Umar (ra) responded, “I am going to kill Muhammad (sa)” (God-forbid). To this, he replied, “By killing Muhammad (sa) will you remain safe from the Banu Hashim and Banu Zuhra?” Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, “I believe you have forsaken your religion.” This individual then said, “O Umar! Shall I not inform you of something even more astonishing than this? You say that I have abandoned my faith, but let me tell you a news even bigger than this and that is that your sister and brother-in-law have both left the religion which you follow.”

Upon hearing this, Hazrat Umar (ra) went to their house whilst cursing them. At the time, a companion from among the Muhajireen, Hazrat Khabbab (ra) was with them. (I related this account previously in relation to Hazrat Khabbab (ra).) When he heard Hazrat Umar’s (ra) voice, he hid inside the house. Hazrat Umar (ra) entered the house and asked, “What were you reading? What was this that I just heard coming from here?” At the time, they were reciting Surah Ta Ha. They replied that apart from one thing there was nothing else they were talking about. Hazrat Umar (ra) then asked, “I have heard that you both have abandoned your religion.” Hazrat Umar’s (ra) brother-in-law asked, “O Umar! Have you ever pondered that the truth may be found in a faith other than yours?” (If you are searching for the truth, have you considered that the truth may be found in another religion?) Upon this, Hazrat Umar (ra) took hold of his brother-in-law and began to hit him. Hazrat Umar’s (ra) sister tried to come in the way to save her husband and Hazrat Umar (ra) raised his hand against her as well as a result of which blood began to pour from her face. She became extremely angry and said, “O Umar! If the truth is to be found in a faith other than yours, then proclaim that ‘there is none worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad (sa) is His Messenger.’” When Hazrat Umar (ra) failed to come up with a response, he stated, “Give me the book which you have with you, so that I may read it.” (Hazrat Umar (ra) knew how to read.) Hazrat Umar’s (ra) sister stated, “You are not clean and no one can touch this in a state of impurity. Therefore, either take a bath or perform ablution first.”

And so, Hazrat Umar (ra) performed ablution and then took hold of the book and began to read Surah Ta Ha. When he reached the verse:

اِنَّنِيْ اَنَا اللّٰهُ لَا اِلٰهَ اِلَّا اَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِيْ وَ اَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِذِكْرِيْ

“Verily, I am Allah; there is no God beside Me. So serve Me, and observe Prayer for My remembrance” [Ch.20: V.15]

After reading this verse, Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “Tell me where Muhammad (sa) is.” Upon hearing this, Hazrat Khabbab (ra) came out of the house and said, “O Umar! Let there be glad-tidings for you. I wish that the prayer of the Holy Prophet (sa) which he offered on Thursday night may be accepted in your favour. The Holy Prophet (sa) had prayed:

اَللّٰهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الْاِسْلَامَ بِعُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ اَوْ بِعَمْرِو بْنِ هِشَامٍ

“‘O Allah! Grant honour to Islam through Umar bin Al-Khattab or Amr bin Hisham.’”

At the time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was in a house that was situated in the valley of Safa. And so, Hazrat Umar (ra) left from there and reached the house. At the time, Hazrat Hamzah (ra), Hazrat Talhara and various other companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) were at the door. Hazrat Hamzah (ra) noticed that they were scared of Hazrat Umar (ra) and he said, “Alright, so this is Umar. If Allah has bought him for his own good, then he shall accept Islam and follow the Holy Prophet (sa). However, if he has come with any other intention then it will be easy for us to kill him.”

At the time, the Holy Prophet (sa) was inside the house and was receiving divine revelation. The Holy Prophet (sa) came outside and went to Hazrat Umar (ra) and took hold of him from the chest and said, “O Umar! Will you not refrain from your actions until Allah causes your ruin and sends down a terrible punishment just as he did for Walid bin Mughira?” Thereafter, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed to Allah the Almighty, “O Allah! This is Umar bin Al-Khattab. O Allah! Grant honour to the faith through Umar bin Al-Khattab.” After this, Hazrat Umar (ra) stated, “I testify that you are the Messenger (sa) of Allah.” Hazrat Umar (ra) then accepted Islam and stated, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Come out for the propagation of Islam.”

It is narrated from Ma‘mar and Zuhri that Hazrat Umar (ra) accepted Islam after the Holy Prophet (sa) was in Dar al-Arqam and he was the fortieth person to accept Islam, or he accepted Islam slightly after 40 men and women had entered Islam. Dar al-Arqam was the house or centre which belonged to a new convert Arqam bin Abi al-Arqam and was situated just outside of Mecca. The Muslims would gather here and this became a centre for Muslims to learn about their faith and worship etc. For this reason, it also became known as Dar al-Islam and this remained the centre for the Muslims in Mecca for three years; here, they would worship away from others and also the Holy Prophet (sa) would hold gatherings. Then when Hazrat Umar (ra) accepted Islam, the Muslims came out from there. In a narration it is stated that Hazrat Umar (ra) was the last person to accept Islam in this centre and after he accepted Islam, it gave courage to the Muslims and they came out from Dar al-Arqam and began preaching openly.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 1996], pp. 142-143) (Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), p. 129)

There is another narration with regard to Hazrat Umar (ra) accepting Islam with a slight variation. In the aforementioned incident, it was stated that [Hazrat Umar (ra) heard] the opening verses of Surah Ta Ha being recited in his sister’s house, whereas in another narration it is mentioned that it was the opening verses of Surah al-Hadid.

(Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003], p. 140)

Sixth Narration

There is a sixth narration as well regarding Hazrat Umar’s (ra) acceptance of Islam. Hazrat Umar (ra) states:

“One day, prior to accepting Islam, I set out in search for the Holy Prophet (sa), but noticed that he had reached the mosque [Al-Haram] before him. I stood behind him. He began to recite Surah al-Haqqah. Upon hearing the order and composition of the Holy Qur‘an I was left amazed and I said, ‘By God! He is a poet, just as the Quraish say he is.’”

Hazrat Umar (ra) further says, “When I thought of this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said:

اِنَّهٗ لَقَوْلُ رَسُوْلٍ كَرِيْمٍ۔ وَّ مَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَاعِرٍ۔ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تُؤْمِنُوْنَ

Meaning, “That it is surely the word brought by a noble Messenger; And it is not the word of a poet; little is it that you believe!”

Hazrat Umar (ra) then said, “He is a fortune-teller” i.e. a sorcerer. “Subsequently, the Holy Prophet (sa) recited the following:

وَلَا بِقَوْلِ كَاهِنٍ۔ قَلِيْلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُوْنَ۔ تَنْزِيْلٌ مِّنْ رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِيْنَ۔ وَلَوْ تَقَوَّلَ عَلَيْنَا بَعْضَ الْأَقَاوِيْلِ۔ لَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُ بِالْيَمِيْنِ۔ ثُمَّ لَقَطَعْنَا مِنْهُ الْوَتِيْنَ۔ فَمَا مِنْكُمْ مِّنْ أَحَدٍ عَنْهُ حَاجِزِيْنَ

And then he recited to the end of the chapter. The translation is as follows: “Nor is it the word of a soothsayer; little is it that you heed! It is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds. And if he had forged and attributed any sayings to Us; We would surely, have seized him by the right hand, and then surely, We would have severed his life-artery, And not one of you could have held Our punishment off from him.”

Hazrat Umar (ra) then says, “From that moment, Islam was etched on my heart.”

(Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, Musnad Umar (ra) bin al-Khattab, Hadith 23966 [Beirut, Lebanon: Alam al-Kutub, 1998], pp. 108-109)

Seventh Narration

There is a seventh narration [regarding Hazrat Umar (ra) accepting Islam], which is a narration of Bukhari. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Umar narrates:

“Whenever I heard Hazrat Umar (ra) say, ‘I think that such and such will happen’, it would come true just as he had stated. Once, while Hazrat Umar (ra) was sitting, a handsome man passed by him. Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘If I am not mistaken, this person still follows the religion of the Jahiliyyah [era of ignorance before the advent of Islam] or he was their fortune-teller. Bring this man to me.’

“The man was brought to Hazrat Umar (ra) and informed of what was said [about him]. The man said, ‘I have never seen such a day on which a Muslim was faced with such an accusation.’” This man later accepted Islam.

“Hazrat Umar (ra) then said, ‘I am adamant that you should tell me the truth.’ He said, ‘I was a fortune-teller in the pre-Islamic period of ignorance.’ Then Hazrat Umar said, ‘Tell me the most astonishing thing your female jinn has told you of.’” They were fortune-tellers and magicians and so he asked what peculiar thing the Jinn had told him about. “He replied, ‘One day while I was in the market, she came to me and was petrified. She said, “Have you not seen the jinn and their state of despair and anxiousness they have been left in? [For now, all they do is] follow the camels and their saddles.”’

“Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘He is right,’ and added, ‘One day, while I was sleeping near their idols, a man came with a calf and slaughtered it [as an offering to the idols]. Someone let out a shriek, the likes of which I had never heard before. He was exclaiming, “O transgressing enemy! A matter of success [approaches]! An eloquent man proclaims: ‘No one has the right to be worshipped except Allah.’” Upon hearing this the people fled, but I [i.e. Hazrat Umar (ra)] said, “I shall not flee till I know who is behind this.” Then the cry came again: “O transgressing enemy! A matter of success [approaches]! An eloquent man proclaims: ‘None has the right to be worshipped except Allah.’” I then went away and a few days later it was said, “A prophet has appeared.”’”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar, Bab Islam Umar bin al-Khattab (ra), Hadith 3866)

In some versions of Bukhari, instead of “there is none worthy of worship except Allah”, the wording is “there is none worthy of worship except Thee”. This is a narration of Bukhari.

With regard to Hazrat Umar’s (ra) acceptance of Islam, there are various accounts mentioned in the books of history and biographies. Among them the most well-known, i.e. the one that is commonly cited is the one in which Hazrat Umar (ra) went with his sword in order to kill the Holy Prophet (sa), God-forbid, but someone along the way, informed him to first see to his sister and brother-in-law and then he went to their house. This is the narration that is widely accepted and is mentioned in most of these places. Although there are various other narrations as have been mentioned earlier; however, historians and biographers have greatly debated the authenticity of these narrations according to their own understanding. Nonetheless, we accept the narration in which there is mention of the events that took place in Hazrat Umar’s (ra) sister and brother-in-law’s house and that Hazrat Umar (ra) went to Dar al-Arqam from there.

It can be said that there is a possibility that all the aforementioned narrations about Hazrat Umar’s (ra) acceptance of Islam are correct in their own right which would indicate that at different times, Hazrat Umar’s (ra) viewpoint began to slowly change. At times, one undergoes changes at various stages but is unable to take the final step. Perhaps the final step was when Hazrat Umar (ra) heard the Quran in the house of his sister and brother-in-law and then he presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) in order to accept Islam. In any case, Allah the Almighty knows best.

At the time of his acceptance of Islam, he was 33 years old and he was the chief of the Banu Adi tribe. [Prior to] pledging allegiance, he had the responsibility of being an envoy for the Quraish. Furthermore, he was extremely influential, brave and courageous. After he accepted Islam, it strengthened the Muslims and they came out from Dar al-Arqam and offered prayers openly in Masjid al-Haram. Hazrat Umar (ra) was the last companion who accepted Islam in Dar al-Arqam and this took place in the last month of the sixth year after the advent of the Holy Prophet. At the time, the total number of Muslim men in Mecca was 40.

(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), p. 159)