Men of Excellence : Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Umar(ra).
His Holiness(aba) said that once the tribe of Banu Bakr, an affiliate tribe of the Quraish attacked Banu Khuza‘ah, an affiliate tribe of the Muslims, which was in contradiction of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. Later, Abu Sufyan went to Madinah to renegotiate the terms of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, but the Holy Prophet(sa) refused. Then he went to Hazrat Umar(ra) and asked him to intercede on his behalf. In response, Hazrat Umar(ra) said that even if he only had a piece of straw, he would use it to fight against the Quraish.
His Holiness(aba) said regarding the Conquest of Makkah that as the Holy Prophet(sa) was nearing Makkah, Abu Sufyan was getting worried. Hazrat Abbas(ra) went to Abu Sufyan and told him that he would take him to the Holy Prophet(sa) so he could seek protection. When they reached the Holy Prophet(sa), Hazrat Umar(ra) asked the Holy Prophet(sa) for permission to kill Abu Sufyan, but the Holy Prophet(sa) eventually told Hazrat Abbas(ra) to take Abu Sufyan away and granted him protection.
Hazrat Umar(ra) Granted the Flag During the Battle of Khaibar
His Holiness(aba) said on the occasion of the Battle of Khaibar, the Holy Prophet(sa) gave the flag of Islam to Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) and then later gave the same flag to Hazrat Umar(ra). Then, on the second day, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that he would give the flag to the one at whose hands victory would be achieved and gave the flag to Hazrat Ali(ra).
His Holiness(aba) said that once Hazrat Hatib(ra) had given a letter to a woman addressed to the Quraish informing them of some of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) plans, which was later intercepted by Hazrat Ali(ra). The Holy Prophet(sa) asked Hazrat Hatib(ra) about this, and later forgave him. Hazrat Umar(ra) asked the Holy Prophet(sa) to kill him. The Holy Prophet(sa) responded to him and said that Hazrat Hatib(ra) had participated in the Battle of Badr, and God has already forgiven those who participated in this battle.
His Holiness(aba) said that on the way back from the Battle of Hunain, Hazrat Umar(ra) asked the Holy Prophet(sa) about an oath which he had made during the Era of Ignorance before his acceptance of Islam. The Holy Prophet(sa) advised that he should honour it, whilst remaining within the boundaries of Islam.
Generosity of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) and Hazrat Umar(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk, the Holy Prophet(sa) made an appeal for financial contributions. Upon this, Hazrat Umar(ra) hoped to use this opportunity and outdo Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra). Hence he took half of his wealth and presented it to the Holy Prophet(sa). The Holy Prophet(sa) asked him what he had left behind for his family, and he replied that he had left half for his family. However later, Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and presented all of his wealth to him. The Promised Messiah(as) has stated with reference to this incident, that this was a time when people were ready and willing to give all that they had for the sake of Islam.
Hazrat Umar(ra) Impassioned at the Demise of the Holy Prophet(sa)
His Holiness(aba) said that as the demise of the Holy Prophet(sa) was drawing near, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that he would like to write down something by following which no one would go astray. Hazrat Umar(ra) was of the opinion that since the Holy Prophet(sa) was weak and ill, they should not cause him any hardship as they already had the Holy Qur’an. Others were of the opinion that pen and paper should be brought to the Holy Prophet(sa). The two sides argued amongst each other, upon which the Holy Prophet(sa) asked them to leave.
His Holiness(aba) explained that Hazrat Umar(ra) understood that God Himself has stated that the Holy Qur’an is complete and nothing has been left out of it. Hence, upon hearing Hazrat Umar(ra) say that they had the Holy Qur’an, the Holy Prophet(sa) saw no need to write anything else down and so asked everyone to leave.
His Holiness(aba) said that when the Holy Prophet(sa) passed away, Hazrat Umar(ra) said that the Holy Prophet(sa) had not passed away, and he would surely be brought back, as he was not ready to accept this fact. Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) explained to Hazrat Umar(ra) that the Holy Prophet(sa) had passed away, and quoted the Holy Qur’an to help him understand that demise is inevitable, and this was also the case for the Holy Prophet(sa). For example, he cited the verse:
‘And Muhammad is only a Messenger. Verily, all Messengers have passed away before him. If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allah at all. And Allah will certainly reward the grateful.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 3:145)
Upon hearing this verse, everyone began crying profusely, as if they were hearing this verse for the first time. Hearing this helped everyone understand the fact that the Holy Prophet(sa) had passed away.
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who said that although Hazrat Umar(ra) said that he would kill anyone who said that the Holy Prophet(sa) was dead owing to the shock it had caused him, he did a great service by understanding the true meaning of the verse which was presented and knowing that it meant no prophet can remain alive and go to heaven, rather all must pass away. Thus, by understanding this and changing his stance, he avoided the rise of a misunderstanding and disorder. Similarly, all the Companions(ra) who knew and understood the Holy Qur’an, all understood that the Qur’an states that all prophets have passed away, and none can remain alive.
Companions(ra) Pledge Allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that when it came time to elect a successor, there were some who suggested that Hazrat Umar(ra) should be the Caliph. However, Hazrat Umar(ra) refuted this and said that he would pledge allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) as the Caliph. He then took Hazrat Abu Bakr’s(ra) hand to pledge allegiance to him and all else followed.
His Holiness(aba) said that after the demise of the Holy Prophet(sa), some disorders arose. After requesting Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), Hazrat Umar(ra) would set out to fight against those who raised disorders.
Compilation of the Holy Qur’an Begins
His Holiness(aba) said that during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), there were many huffaz [those who have memorised the Holy Qur’an] were martyred. Hazrat Umar(ra) suggested to Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) that the Holy Qur’an be compiled into a physical book in order to safeguard it. Hence, Hazrat Umar(ra) began the task of compiling the text of the Holy Qur’an which had been written in various places when it would be revealed. Hence, various verses would be found written on leaves, branches, bones and leather. For example the following verse was found to be written on a piece of leather:
‘Surely, a Messenger has come unto you from among yourselves; grievous to him is that you should fall into trouble; he is ardently desirous of your welfare; and to the believers he is compassionate, merciful.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 9:128)
His Holiness(aba) said that the original inscriptions of the Holy Qur’an remained with Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra). After his demise, they remained in the possession of Hazrat Hafsah(ra) and then were later given to Hazrat Uthman(ra).
His Holiness(aba) said that he would continue highlighting the life of Hazrat Umar(ra) in future sermons.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.