Detailed Account of his Martyrdom

The detailed account of Hazrat Umar’s (ra) martyrdom has been narrated in Sahih Bukhari as follows:

Amr bin Maimoon relates that he saw Hazrat Umar (ra) in Medina a few days prior to him being attacked. Hazrat Umar (ra) went to Huzayfa bin Yamman and Uthman bin Hunaif and enquired what they had done with regard to the taxation of the land in Iraq as this was a responsibility entrusted to them from the Khalifa. He also asked whether they felt that they had imposed a tax on the land which was beyond the means of the people. They both stated that they had fixed a tax which was in accordance with their means. In other words, there was enough potential in the land to produce a certain amount of crop and that they did not set the tax too high.

Hazrat Umar (ra) said, “See as to whether or not you have set a tax upon it which the people cannot bear.” The narrator says that both of them replied, “No.” Hazrat Umar (ra) then said, “If Allah keeps me in good health, I would indeed go to the widows of Iraq and leave them in a state whereby they would be in no need of anyone after me.” The narrator says that four nights had not passed after this conversation when Hazrat Umar (ra) was wounded.

The narrator also says that on the day that he was wounded, he was stood there and only Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Abbas was between Hazrat Umar (ra) and himself. He had a habit when passing through two rows to tell the people to straighten the rows, and when there was no longer any gap, he would step forward and recite “Allahu Akbar” [Allah is the Greatest]. At times, he would recite Surah Yusuf or Surah al-Nahl or a similar chapter in the first rak‘ah [unit of prayer] of the Fajr prayer, so that people could gather. He had only just recited “Allahu Akbar” when I heard him say, ‘I have been killed’ or, “I have been bitten by a dog. When the non-Arab assailant had attacked him, he took his double-edged knife and fled. He continued to wound whoever he passed by to his left and right, (i.e. out of fear of being caught, he would wound all those who tried to seize him with his knife), to the extent that he injured 13 people, among whom seven died.

When one of the Muslims witnessed this, he used his coat (in Sahih Bukhari the word “burnus” has been used which refers to a cloth which has a hood that covers the head, i.e. a long cloak with a sort of hat attached. It also refers to a tall hat. Nonetheless, he threw his coat on him.) When he was certain that he had been caught, he cut his own neck. Hazrat Umar (ra) took the hand of Hazrat Abdur (ra) Rahman bin Auf and ushered him forward.”

The narrator says that those close by Hazrat Umar (ra) also witnessed what he had witnessed but those at the sides of the mosque only knew that they no longer heard the voice of Hazrat Umar (ra), so they were reciting “Subhanallah, Subhanallah!” [Holy is Allah]. Hazrat Abdur Rahman (ra) bin Auf therefore led the people in a short prayer.

When Hazrat Abdur Rahman (ra) bin Auf completed the prayer, Hazrat Umar (ra) asked Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) to go see who had attacked him. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) circled around for a while then came back and said it was the slave of Mughirah. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked, “The one who is a carpenter?” Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) replied in the affirmative, upon which Hazrat Umar (ra) stated, “May Allah destroy him, I had decided to afford him good treatment. I thank Allah that I did not die at the hands of one who professes Islam.” (It is evident here too that the man was not a Muslim.)

Hazrat Umar (ra) further stated, “O Ibn Abbas, you and your father enjoyed having as many non-Arab slaves in Medina and Hazrat Abbas (ra) had the most slaves.” Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) answered, “If you so wish, we can rid them all” that is, “If you desire, we can kill all the non-Arab slaves in Medina.” Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, “That is not right, especially as they speak your language, face in the direction of your qiblah to pray, and they make the same pilgrimage as you do” – there were many slaves who had also accepted Islam.

He narrates that they then lifted Hazrat Umar (ra) and took him back to his home and they also entered his house with him. It felt as though such an affliction had not befallen the Muslims before. Some would say nothing would happen [to Hazrat Umar (ra), whilst others would say they feared he would pass away. Eventually, he was brought some Nabidh [a drink made from raisins or dates] which he drank but it flowed out of his stomach. He was then brought some milk which he drank, but that too flowed out from his wound. The people then realised that his demise was nigh.

Amr bin Maimun states:

“We then went to him and others came too, and began praising him. A young man came and said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! Be pleased with the glad tiding of Allah which you have received on account of being a companion of the Holy Prophet (sa) and of accepting Islam at the beginning, as you know full well. Then you were elected as the Khalifa and you did justice, and then attained martyrdom.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘I hope these affairs of mine remain balanced, whereby nothing is held against me, and nothing in my favour.’ When he was about to turn away to leave, his lower garment was touching the ground. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked for the young man to be brought to him and said, ‘My nephew, keep your cloth up, that way it will last longer and not tear from dragging on the ground and this action is closer to righteousness in the sight of your Lord.’”

In that era, people would also unnecessarily show their pride by wearing long clothes and it was a sign of their wealth, so this is why Hazrat Umar (ra) said that he should not develop any pride and it was closer to righteousness by doing so.

“He then asked Abdullah (ra) bin Umar, ‘How much am I in debt?’ He calculated it and found it to be approximately 86,000 dirhams. Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘If my family property can pay it off then pay from it, but if not then you should request it from Banu Adiyy bin Kaab. If their property too does not pay it off, then you should request it from the Quraish, but do not approach anyone else. You must pay this debt off on my behalf. Go to Hazrat Aisha (ra) and tell her that Umar conveys his greetings of peace. Do not say I am the leader of the faithful, for today I am not the leader of the believers. So tell her that Umar bin al-Khattab requests permission to be buried beside his two companions [i.e. the Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)].’”

It is mentioned in Umdatul-Qari, the commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari, that Hazrat Umar (ra) said this when he was certain of his impending demise, and there was an indication in this for Hazrat Aisha (ra) that her decision should not be impacted from the title of ‘Leader of the Faithful’.

“Subsequently, Hazrat Abdullah (ra) conveyed his greetings and asked permission to enter. He then entered the house and saw that Hazrat Aisha (ra) was sat weeping. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) said, ‘Umar bin al-Khattab conveys greetings of peace to you and requests your permission for him to be buried by the side of his two companions.’ Hazrat Aisha (ra) replied, ‘I had reserved this space for myself, but today I shall give him precedence over myself.’ When Hazrat Abdullah (ra) returned, Hazrat Umar (ra) was told that Hazrat Abdullah (ra) had arrived. He therefore asked to be lifted up and one person supported him up. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked, ‘What news do you bring me?’ Hazrat Abdullah (ra) answered, ‘O Leader of the Faithful, it is that which you desired. Hazrat Aisha (ra) has granted permission.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) said, ‘All praise belongs to Allah! Nothing concerned me more than this. When I pass away, carry me there. Then convey my greetings and say that Umar bin al-Khattab requests permission. If she gives permission, you should enter the room to bury me, but if she turns me back, take me to the cemetery of the Muslims.’

“Hazrat Abduullah (ra) stated that Hazrat Hafsah, Ummul Momineen (ra) then came along with other women. They left when they saw them. They entered and wept there for some time. When some men had asked to enter the room, and came inside, the women went into another room and they could hear them crying from inside.