Stories
From enemy to second caliph
The best-known story: he set out to kill the Prophet. He became Muslim.
4 min, Intro, Draft written with AI help: awaiting scholar review
Part 1 of 3
According to Ibn Ishaq, 'Umar set out with his sword to kill the Prophet. On the way he learned his own sister had become Muslim. He struck her, then read the opening of surah Ta-Ha in her house, and went to accept Islam.
Qur'an 20:1-2
طه ١ مَآ أَنزَلۡنَا عَلَيۡكَ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ لِتَشۡقَىٰٓ ٢
1 Tā Ha
2 We have not sent down the Qur’an to you [O Prophet] to cause you distress,
Lesson
A few lines of the Qur'an turned 'Umar, a fierce enemy.
Part 2 of 3
'Umar was caliph from 634 to 644. He oversaw vast conquests, set up salaries, courts and the Hijri calendar, and lived simply. Stories tell of him patrolling Madinah at night to find the hungry.
Lesson
'Umar held great power, and wore patched clothes.
Part 3 of 3
When Jerusalem surrendered, 'Umar came in person to receive it, and guaranteed the safety of its Christians and their churches. He was killed in 644 while leading the dawn prayer.
Lesson
'Umar guaranteed the safety of Jerusalem's churches.
Reflect, just for you
Seen by lamplight. It gives more each time.
The best-known story: he set out to kill the Prophet. He became Muslim.