Motive Behind the Attack: Conspiracy or Personal Enmity?

In regard to whether the martyrdom of Hazrat Umar (ra) was the result of a conspiracy or due to the personal enmity harboured by this individual, some of the later historians have written that the martyrdom of Hazrat Umar (ra) was not merely due to an individual’s personal enmity towards him; rather, it was a conspiracy. In any case, we will read their opinions on this as well.

In relation to how a brave Khalifa such as Hazrat Umar (ra) was martyred, we usually find that historians and biographers remain silent after detailing the incidents of martyrdom and the impression is left that Abu Lu‘lu‘ Firuz assassinated him due to a momentary rage and anger. However, some contemporary historians and biographers have analysed this with great detail and they say that this could not have been an act of vengeance, resulting from the rage of a single individual; rather, it was a conspiracy and Hazrat Umar (ra) was assassinated through a pre-planned scheme. The renowned Persian commander, Hormuzan, who was living in Medina and appeared to be a Muslim, was also part of this conspiracy.

Modern-day writers have questioned early historians and biographers as to why they have not discussed this killing in detail as being a conspiracy. However, there is one important book of history called Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah in which it is only mentioned that Hormuzan and Jufainah were suspected to be involved in the killing of Hazrat Umar (ra).

(Ibn Kathir, Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, Vol. 4 [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2001] p. 144)

Hence, it is due to this uncertainty that biographers of Hazrat Umar (ra) have considered it to have been the result of a conspiracy. One of these writers is Muhammad Raza Sahib. He writes in his book, Sirat Umar Farooq:

“Hazrat Umar (ra) never permitted adult prisoners to enter Medina, until Hazrat Mughirah (ra) bin Shu‘bah, who was the governor of Kufa wrote a letter to him stating that he had a very skilled slave, and sought permission for him to come to Medina. Hazrat Mughirah (ra) bin Shu‘bah said that he was experienced in many fields of work and was therefore of benefit to the people – he was a blacksmith, craftsman and a carpenter. Hazrat Umar (ra) wrote to Hazrat Mughirah (ra), permitting him to send him to Medina. Hazrat Mughirah (ra) placed a monthly tax of 100 dirhams upon him.

“This slave went to Hazrat Umar (ra) and complained about the tax being too high. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked what work he could proficiently do. In response, he informed Hazrat Umar (ra) which tasks he was skilled in. Hazrat Umar (ra) stated that the tax placed upon him was not higher than the works he was skilled in. He, therefore, departed whilst angry at Hazrat Umar (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) waited a few days and one day the same slave passed by him, and so he called him and said, ‘I have heard that you make a really good wind-powered millstone.’ This slave turned his attention to Hazrat Umar (ra) in a state of anger and displeasure and said, ‘I shall make such a millstone for you that people will continue to talk about it.’

“When the slave turned away, Hazrat Umar (ra) turned to his companions and said that this slave had just threatened him.

“A few days passed and Abu Lu‘lu‘ hid a double-edged dagger in his cloth, the handle of which was in the middle, and attacked Hazrat Umar (ra)” as has been mentioned in the incident regarding the martyrdom of Hazrat Umar (ra).

“One strike landed below his navel. In one sense, Abu Lu‘lu‘ held malice and spite for Hazrat Umar (ra) as the Arabs had conquered their land, enslaved him and caused his king to flee the country humiliated. Whenever he would see young slaves, he would go to them, stroke their heads and emotionally say that the Arabs had destroyed their future generation.