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) and his era of Khilafat.

Participation of Hazrat Umar^(ra) in Various Expeditions

His Holiness^(aba) said that Hazrat Umar^(ra) was the Khalifa for ten and a half years. During this time, various countries and regions were conquered, such as Syria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Azerbaijan etc. During the era of his Khilafat, Hazrat Umar^(ra) accompanied the Muslim army on all expeditions, though he would not take part in the battle itself, but he would provide guidance through the commanders and would communicate with the soldiers through letters. Hazrat Umar^(ra) would say that he would pray for the victories of the Muslim army during his prayers.

Hazrat Umar’s^(ra) Powerful Influence 

His Holiness^(aba) said that during a battle with the Persians, Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) fell ill. At this time, Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) summoned Hazrat Umar^(ra) and told him that he was soon going to pass away. Thus, he instructed that as soon as he passed away, Hazrat Umar^(ra) should announce to the Muslims that they should go out for Jihad, and that his demise should not cause any delay in the carrying out of their duties. Thus, after the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakr^(ra) and subsequently becoming the Khalifa, Hazrat Umar^(ra) delivered a powerful speech encouraging the Muslims to undertake the Jihad. It is recorded that a thousand people came forward and presented their names to be part of the army going to Iraq. By the time this army reached Iraq, it is recorded that the army had grown to five thousand.

The Battle of Namariq

His Holiness^(aba) said that in 13 Hijri, the Battle of Namariq took place. During this battle, the Iranian commander Jaban was captured. However, his captor did not recognise him, and so after Jaban gave him some expiation, and was thus released. Later, he was recaptured, however, when Hazrat Abu Ubaid^(ra) who was commanding the Muslim army learned that Jaban had already been captured and released once, he said that it would be inappropriate for them to keep him captive after he had already given an expiation and been released. This exhibited the high moral conduct of the Muslim army.

His Holiness^(aba) said that after victory at Namariq, Hazrat Abu Ubaid^(ra) took his army to Kashgar where he joined an existing envoy and there too, the Muslims were victorious.

The Battle of Jisr

His Holiness^(aba) said that the Battle of Jisr also took place in 13 Hijri, in which the Muslims defeated the Persians. It is recorded that Muslim army numbered ten thousand, while the Persians had thirty thousand armies and three hundred armies. There was a river that delayed the battle. Subsequently, there was a bridge built over the river which is why this is known as the Battle of Jisr. As the Muslims were initially winning the battle, the Persian commander commanded the elephants to charge forward which caused great chaos and scattered their ranks. The Persians continued their attack, as a result of this various Muslim commanders were also martyred. Upon hearing of this, Hazrat Umar^(ra) gathered the people of Madinah and said that the city was exposed and the Iranians could reach there at any time. Hazrat Umar^(ra) suggested that he should go to battle as a commander. However, Hazart Ali^(ra) advised against this. Thus, Hazrat Umar^(ra) sent Hazrat Sa‘d^(ra) towards Jisr with an army.

His Holiness^(aba) said that he would continue highlighting the life of Hazrat Umar^(ra) in future sermons.

Funeral Prayers

His Holiness^(aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers of the following deceased members.

Fathi Abdus Salam Mubarak Sahib of Egypt, who recently passed away. His father was a follower of the Naksh Bandi sect, and devoted his son to study the faith. Fathi Sahib was sent to memorise the Holy Qur’an. His father also memorised the Holy Qur’an, and later he would go on to accept Ahmadiyyat. He graduated as an engineer from Cairo University. He later moved to Egypt, where he was introduced to Ahmadiyyat and later he would accept and join the Community. He used to have many questions, which he found were all answered through Ahmadiyyat. He would go on to serve the Community in various capacities. He translated the book Life of Muhammad into Arabic. He also took part in various MTA programmes such as al-Hiwar al-Mubashir. He also served the Community in various other capacities and later also presented himself as a life-devotee and served in this capacity as well. He loved Khialfat a great deal, and saw it to be the source and solution to all problems today. He possessed deep knowledge as he constantly studied various topics and fields of knowledge. He had a great passion for serving the faith. Even during his illness when he was in the hospital, though he had some difficulty breathing, he would be preaching the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to the nurses.

He possessed a profound love for Qadian and knew in great detail about all of the historic landmarks. He had attended the Annual Convention of Qadian in 2018 and when it came time to leave, he was extremely emotional and did not wish to leave. He was praying fervently, and later, he was informed that the organisers had been mistaken and it was not yet time for him to leave.

His Holiness^(aba) said that it had been revealed to the Promised Messiah^(as) that there would be sincere people from among the Arabs who prayed for him. His Holiness^(aba) said that this example of Fathi Sahib shows that there truly are those from among the Arabs who are sincere and pray for the Promised Messiah^(as).  His Holiness^(aba) said that he himself saw the profound love which Fathi Sahib possessed for Khilafat. His Holiness^(aba) said that Fathi Sahib was extremely kind and forbearing, and if ever he spoke sternly to someone, he would apologise to them. Despite being a great scholar, he was extremely humble. He had a very powerful voice, which all would have seen during the slogans he would raise at the end of the Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana).

His Holiness^(aba) prayed that may his children follow in his footsteps, and that may Allah elevate his station in paradise.

Razia Begum Sahiba, wife of Khalil Mubashar Sahib, former Missionary In-charge of Canada. Despite an extended period of illness, she remained by the side of her husband and supported him as a life-devotee at all times. She was very pious. She is survived by her husband, one son, and three daughters. His Holiness^(aba) prayed that may Allah treat her with forgiveness and mercy and elevate her station.

Saira Sultan Sahiba, wife of Dr Sultan Mubashar Sahib. She served the Community in various capacities under the Ahmadiyya Women’s Auxiliary Organisation in Pakistan. She took care of the poor, to the extent that at times she herself would fall into debt whilst helping them. She was at the forefront of presenting financial sacrifices. She possessed many virtuous qualities. His Holiness^(aba) prayed that may Allah treat her with forgiveness and mercy. His Holiness^(aba) prayed for her two sons and her husband, that may Allah grant them patience and fortitude.

Ghusoon al-Mahzawani Sahiba who was originally from Syria and was currently residing in Turkey. She served the Community as President of the Ahmadiyya Women’s Auxiliary Organisation. She possessed many virtuous qualities and was loved by all. His Holiness^(aba) prayed that may Allah treat her with forgiveness and mercy and elevate her station.

Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.