Companion of the Prophet ﷺ
عمر بن الخطاب
Umar ibn al-Khattab
Umar ibn al-Khattab ibn Nufayl al-Adawi al-Qurashi
Umar ibn al-Khattab, al-Faruq and second caliph: his night prayer, justice, generosity and respect for the Book of Allah, with hadith citations.
- al-Faruq (the Distinguisher)
- Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Believers)
- Kunya
- Abu Hafs
- Tribe
- Quraysh (Banu Adi)
- Born
- c. 584 CE (approx.)
- Died
- 644 CE / 23 AH
- Resting place
- Beside the Prophet and Abu Bakr in the chamber of Aisha, Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina
- Known as
- Ten promised Paradise, Muhajirun, Badr, Rightly Guided Caliphs, Narrators, Scholars
Introduction
Umar ibn al-Khattab was born into the Banu Adi clan of Quraysh. Before Islam he was known for his strength and his hostility to the new message, but around 616 CE he accepted Islam, and the Muslims found in him a firm, fearless protector of the community.
He migrated to Medina, stood beside the Prophet in the major campaigns, and after the Prophet's death was Abu Bakr's closest adviser. He became the second caliph in 634 CE and led the community for about ten years, a period remembered for justice, careful administration and personal austerity.
The hadith literature shows a man of two sides: formidable in defence of what was right, yet quick to stop and obey when he was reminded of the Qur'an, generous with his best property, and eager to follow the Prophet's example even in small acts. He was stabbed while leading the dawn prayer in late 23 AH and died as a martyr, as he had asked Allah in his supplication.
A day in their footsteps
Small, repeatable practices from Umar ibn al-Khattab's life, each with the sources it rests on.
Praying witr at the end of the night
Umar made a habit of praying witr in the last part of the night. When the Prophet asked him and Abu Bakr when they prayed it, Umar said at the end of the night, and the Prophet described his way as the strong one, while Abu Bakr's early witr was the careful one.
If you trust yourself to wake, move your witr to the last part of the night; if not, pray it before sleeping.
Show the wording
“At the end of the night”
Sunan Abi Dawud 1434
Stopping at the Book of Allah
When a man insulted him to his face and Umar was furious enough to want to punish him, a companion recited a verse commanding forgiveness. Umar stopped at once, because he was known for observing the Book of Allah strictly.
When you are angry, let a single verse or reminder be enough to make you stop.
Show the wording
“he observed (the orders of) Allah's Book strictly”
Sahih al-Bukhari 4642
Giving away what you love most as lasting charity
Umar acquired a piece of land at Khaybar that he valued above all his property and asked the Prophet what to do with it. On the Prophet's advice he made it an endowment: it could not be sold or inherited, and its yield went to the poor, relatives, freeing slaves, travellers and guests.
Set up one ongoing charity, however small, so the reward keeps running after you.
Show the wording
“its yield would be given in charity to the poor people”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2737
Racing others in generosity
When the Prophet called for charity, Umar brought half of his wealth hoping to outdo Abu Bakr, who brought everything. Umar then accepted that he could not compete with him, and the Prophet approved of both.
Compete in good deeds, and be glad when someone else beats you to them.
Show the wording
“I, therefore, brought half my property”
Sunan Abi Dawud 1678
Following the Prophet even when the reason is not obvious
Standing before the Black Stone during Hajj, Umar kissed it and said openly that it is only a stone that cannot help or harm, and that he kissed it only because he had seen the Prophet do so. His practice was to follow the sunnah first, whatever his own reasoning.
Do the act because the Prophet did it; the understanding often follows.
Show the wording
“Had I not seen Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) kissing you I would not have kissed you”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1597
Fulfilling vows made in the past
Umar told the Prophet that before Islam he had vowed to spend a night in i'tikaf in the Sacred Mosque. The Prophet told him to fulfil it, and Umar treated an old promise as a binding duty.
If you promised something good, even long ago, keep your word.
Show the wording
“Fulfill your vow”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2032
Organising the community for night prayer in Ramadan
Seeing people praying the Ramadan night prayer scattered in small groups, Umar gathered them behind one reciter, Ubayy ibn Ka'b, and said that the prayer people sleep through, the last part of the night, is better than the one they were offering.
Pray taraweeh with your congregation, and if you can, keep some of the late night for yourself.
Show the wording
“the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2010
Asking Allah for a good ending
Umar made a standing supplication to be granted martyrdom in the cause of Allah and to die in the city of His Messenger, and Allah answered both parts.
Ask for a good ending in your regular duas.
Show the wording
“Grant me martyrdom in Your cause”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1890
Virtues
The Prophet said that among earlier nations there were people inspired with guidance even though they were not prophets, and that if there were one in his community it would be Umar.
The Prophet said that Allah placed the truth on Umar's tongue and that he speaks with it.
The Prophet gave Umar the glad tidings of Paradise when he asked permission to enter a garden.
The Prophet saw in a dream that Umar drew the bucket from Abu Bakr's hand and it became very large, an image of the strength of his service.
Sayings and moments
At the Black Stone, Umar said he knew it was only a stone, and he kissed it only because the Prophet had kissed it.
Of the Ramadan night prayer he said that the prayer people sleep through at the end of the night is better than the one they were offering.
Timeline
- c. 616 CEAccepted Islam after a period of fierce opposition; his conversion strengthened the Muslims in Mecca.
- 622 CEMigrated from Mecca to Medina with the early Muhajirun.
- c. 632 CEPledged allegiance to Abu Bakr after the Prophet's death and served as his chief adviser.
- 634 CEBecame the second caliph on Abu Bakr's nomination.
- Late 644 CE / Dhu al-Hijjah 23 AHStabbed while leading the dawn prayer, and died a few days later; Ali spoke of him at his funeral.
Related companions
Sources
- Umar - Wikipedia (dates, caliphate)
- hadith-api, English hadith editions mirroring sunnah.com numbering and grades
Hadith links go to sunnah.com and Quran links to quran.com. Grades are those shown there.
About this page. This material is compiled from public sources and is pending scholar review. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us on the support page.