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_001.jpg) Omar Ibn Al Khattab was the second Caliph of the Muslim
Ummah (Nation), and the first Muslim leader to be called the Commander of the Faithful.
After Prophet Muhammad’s death, his closest friend Abu Bakr became his successor
and led the Muslims for around two years. When Abu Bakr felt his own death
approaching, he gathered his closest friends and advisors around him and
informed them that their allegiance to him was over. Abu Bakr hoped that these
men would choose his successor from among themselves. However, after much
discussion Abu Bakr’s companions returned to him and asked him to choose for
them for they trusted his choice beyond question. Abu Bakr chose Omar.
Some of the men around Abu Bakr voiced their concern
that Omar, known to be a very harsh and tough man would be too hard on the
people. Abu Bakr responded by saying that he considered Omar to be the best
among them. Despite these initial reservations among some men of Medina, Omar was appointed as the second Caliph of the Muslims. He began his reign by addressing
the people and immediately explaining his expectations for himself. Omar knew
the people were wary of his reputation for toughness and he addressed this
issue.
He said, “Oh people, know that I have been appointed to
govern your affairs, so recognise that my roughness is now weakened, but I will
continue to be rough and harsh on the people of oppression and transgression
and will put their cheeks into the dirt.
Know also that I will put my own cheek into the dirt to defend the people of
piety.”
Omar went on to explain to the people that he would take
nothing from what their land produced or from the spoils of war except what God
ordained and that he would only spend that money in a way that was pleasing to God.
Omar was acutely aware of the importance of financial justice, and that he
would be held accountable for every penny or dirham that belonged to the Muslim
Ummah. Omar also informed the people that he would increase their salaries and
provisions and guard their borders.
The young Muslim nation that Prophet Muhammad, may God
praise him, and his companions had worked so hard to establish was an Ummah
unlike no other. Benefits were paid to every member of the Ummah from the
Muslim treasury; it was not necessary to be a government employee, the wealth
of the ever-expanding nation was shared equally. Omar did not institute this,
he was merely following the already established way of his predecessors, but he
did promise to increase the payments.
Omar also promised not to send the Muslim armies “into
destruction”, meaning that he would not send the armies out unless the risks
were evaluated and deemed acceptable. He promised not to keep the soldiers away
from their families for an extended period and reassured the men that while
they were away fighting for the Muslim Ummah, and if they did not return, he,
the Caliph would be the father of their children and the caretaker of their
wives. Omar believed the role of the leader was to protect the people.
This concept seems very unusual now days when we see Presidents
and Prime Ministers surrounded by bodyguards and willing to trample over anyone
to protect themselves and their power. Omar Ibn al Khattab, although he was
the leader of an Empire, never felt it necessary to have a bodyguard. He
walked the streets of Medina like any ordinary citizen, even at night. In fact,
it was during the nights that he roamed the streets checking up on those under
his protection and anonymously distributing charity.
One of the years of Omar’s reign came to be known as the
Year of Ashes. This year was a great test for the Muslim Ummah. It was a time
of drought and famine, when the wind was so hot it burnt the skin as if with
hot ashes. Meat, butter, and milk became unavailable, and the people existed on
little more then dry bread sometimes dipped in oil. Omar took an oath that he
would not eat or drink anything that was not available to the people. Even when
foodstuffs became available in the markets again, Omar refused to buy them for
inflated prices. He was heard to say, “How can I be concerned about and
understand my own subjects if I am not going through the same trials that they go
through?”
More then fourteen hundred years after his reign Omar,
is still remembered as a man of justice. Drawing on the principles of justice,
mercy and compassion inherent in Islam, Omar treated all those under his care
equally, whether they were rich or poor, black or white, powerful or weak. He
constantly feared that God would question him about his actions. He worried
that there may be sick or poor people among the believers that he had not cared
for correctly. Omar ibn Al Khattab never appointed judges or governors who
expressed a desire for such a job but chose wisely from the most pious members
of the Ummah.
Omar considered himself an ordinary Muslim but
history has recorded that he was anything but ordinary. Omar was strong,
physically and spiritually, he was generous, noble and lived a life of humility.
Omar followed in the footsteps of his beloved Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy
and blessings of God be upon him, he followed his example and upheld his
traditions. Omar’s whole being was focused on pleasing God; he feared God’s
punishment but hoped for Paradise. Omar was able to distinguish between the
truth and falsehood, he felt pain when the Ummah or any member of it was
hurting, and he felt joy when those under his care were content and happy
worshipping their Lord. Omar was one of four rightly guided Caliphs. Even today,
he continues to be a role model for strength, justice, love, and mercy.
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