Umar ibn khattab biographical

Why did Umar ibn khattab converted to Islam

He was literate. So were his sister and her husband.

Initially, he was a drinker who worshipped idols; he spoke once of being drunk and having a need, so he built an idol out of a heap of dates and prayed to it. When he awoke from his drinking, he ate some of those dates. He realized how ridiculous that was and he sought the truth.

Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) was one of the nobles of the Quraysh, broad-shouldered, tall and brave. He was feared and respected by all. How the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) wished that he should accept Islam, as he often prayed to God for showing him the right path.

Fatima bint al-Khattab (adhiallahu ‘anha), the sister of ‘Umar, accepted Islam and shortly thereafter, her husband Sa’id Ibn Zayd (radhiallahu ‘anhu), too, followed suit. But both kept it a closely guarded secret since they feared the violent inclination of ‘Umar’s nature. They knew that ‘Umar was a zealous adherent of his forefathers’ religion and carried a bitter aversion to the new faith in his bosom. Khabbab Ibn Aratt secretly taught the Qur’an to Fatima bint al-Khattab after her conversion.

‘Umar planned to murder the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). One day he sallied forth, with a sword hanging from his neck to find out the house near as-Safa where the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his companions were reported to have assembled. Nu’aym Ibn ‘Abdullah, who belonged to ‘Umar’s tribe of Bani ‘Adiy and who had already acknowledged faith in the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), happened to see ‘Umar along the way armed and fiercely agitated. He asked, “Umar, where are you going?”

“I seek for Muhammad,” was ‘Umar’s reply, “And I will slay him; he has forsaken our religion, shattered the unity of the Quraysh; ridiculed them and vilified their gods. Today I will settle the matter once and for all.”

“Anger has blinded you,” retorted Nu’aym, “Would it not be better to set your own family in order?”

‘Umar was taken aback. He asked, “And who are they in my family?”

Nu’aym replied, “Your brother-in-law and cousin Sa-id Ibn Zayd and your sister Fatima. They have given faith to Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and accepted his religion. Better deal with them first.”

‘Umar immediately hurried on to the house of his sister. Khabbab was at that time reading the Surah Ta Ha (20th Chapter of the Qur’an) to the couple from a manuscript he had with him. When they caught the footsteps of ‘Umar, Khabbab hid himself inside a small room whereas Fatima instantly concealed the manuscript beneath her thigh. But as ‘Umar had already heard Khabbab reciting the scripture, he demanded on entering the house, “What was this nonsense murmur that I heard?’

“Nothing,” both answered, but “What have you heard?”

“Yes, I accidentally discovered,” continued ‘Umar angrily. “I know that both of you have joined the sect of Muhammad.” With these words, ‘Umar threw himself upon his brother-in-law. Fatima rushed in to save her husband, but ‘Umar struck her hard and wounded her.

All this happened abruptly, but now, both husband and wife boldly and openly asserted: “Yes, we are Muslims; we believed in Allah and His Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam); do whatever you will.”

‘Umar saw the blood flowing from the wound he had inflicted on his sister; his anger gave in to shame coupled with admiration for his sisters courage. Cooled down, he asked for the manuscript that he had heard Khabbab reading. He said “Show me the manuscript. I want to know what Muhammad has brought.” In reality, ‘Umar knew the art of reading and writing.

Fatima, however, replied, “I fear what you might do with it.”

“Umar promised, with solemn assurance, not to destroy it. Fatima, too, thought that he might change his views after reading the scripture. She said to him politely but firmly, “My brother, you are unclean because of your polytheism, and only the pure can touch it.” ‘Umar rose and took a bath. His sister then gave him the pages on which Surah Ta Ha was written. He had read only a few lines when he exclaimed in amazement,

“How noble and sublime is this speech!”

Thereupon Khabbab came out of his concealment and said, “O ‘Umar, by God, I hope that Allah would bless you with His Prophet’s (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) call; for I heard him just last night imploring earnestly; “O Allah, strengthen Islam by Abul Hakam (Abu Jahl) or ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab. Now, ‘Umar have some fear of God.”

‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) asked Khabbab to lead him to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) so that he might accept Islam. On being told by Khabbab that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was in a house at as-Safa with his companions, ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) immediately took his sword and headed for him. When ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) knocked at the door indicated by Khabbab(radhiallahu ‘anhu), one of the companions got up through a chink in the door to be sure of the person. Seeing ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) with his sword on, he hurried back appalled to report, “Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) of Allah, ‘Umar Ibn al-Khattab is here armed with his sword.”

Hamza (radhiallahu ‘anhu) intervened to say, “Let him in. If he comes with a peaceful intent, then it is alright, but if not, therewith we will kill him with his own sword.” The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered the companion to open the door for ‘Umar to enter and thus join them.

As ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) entered the door, the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) went forth to meet him in the room. He seized his cloak and pulling it rather firmly, said to him, “What for have you come, O son of Khattab? By God, I see that some calamity is to befall you before you have the final summons.”

But ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu) replied submissively, “O Messenger of Allah, I have come to attest my faith in Allah and His Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and what he has brought from God.”

The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) raised the cry of Allah-O-Akbar so loudly that all the companions present in the house came to know that ‘Umar (radhiallahu ‘anhu), had just accepted Islam (Ibn Hisham, Vol. I, pp. 342-46).