Omar
(c. 582 - 644)
Omar was the second Caliph of the four patriarchal Caliphs of Islam.
A caliph was a successor to the Prophet and the head of the Muslim community. He was the most notable
figure of Islam. Omar’s strong will, direct attitude, and
unambiguous style helped him to expand the Islamic
Empire with great speed. He was especially known for his
energy of will, piety, wisdom and great ability of organization that
helped to make him the second only to the Prophet
Muhammad in authority and prestige. Muhammad himself even
said “If God had willed that there be another prophet after me,
Umar would have been he” (Bowker, 1002). As a note, Umar and
Omar are the same person, but different authors use different forms
of his name. While Omar was administrator of the Empire he was
able to organize great conquests and was able to convert his empire
to Islam four years before Hijrah.
During Omar’s Caliphate, he was the ideal model
for attempting the restoration of a “pure Islamic
state." This era was known as the Golden age of Islamic
religion. Many Muslim religious and political institutions
arose to be models for future generations. An example of an
institution that arose is the Diwan. The Diwan was a form of
Welfare state by which annual stipends were paid to all Muslims from
the public treasury. The office of judge was formed, also known
as the qadi. In addition to the aforementioned advances, military
gausions were formed which later transformed into great cities of
Islam, for example Kufa and Fustat. Some of the religious
advances that took place during Omar’s reign is the standardization
of the text of the Qur’an, a
religious ordinance of nightly prayers in the month of Ramadan, and
the Hijra calendar.
A lot of organization was introduced into the
Arabian society. Some ordinances such as the prohibition of
Arabs to own land were also introduced. Arabs were primarily
prohibited to own land in order to be a permanent fighting force,
carrying Islam to the ends of the earth (Glasse 408). Tribal
classification was implemented for several reasons such as individual
pay, military organization, tax regulation, and home
settlements. Loyalty of Tribal leaders was deeply encouraged
for persuasion on religious grounds as well as the restoration to a
policy of “Conciliation of Hearts,” services in return for
promises of extra booty (Bowker 1002).
Omar was assassinated in 23/644 in the city of
Medina by Abu Lu’la’ah Firoz, a Persian slave of the governor of
Basra, Mughirah ibn Shu’bah. When the slave complained to
Omar about his duties, Omar did not pay much attention to him.
As revenge, the slave stabbed Omar in the Mosque before the day
breaking prayer. While on his deathbed he appointed a council, Abd
ar-Rahman ibn’Awf, the Shura, Zubayr, and elected a new Caliph, Sa’d
ibn Abi Waqqas. On his deathbed he also said, “ It would have gone
badly with me if I had not been a Muslim” (Glasse 407).
Sources: WebChronology
Project
Edited by: Danielle Nemeth
Researched by: Zijada Ljaskic
Written by: Christy Rojas
September 21, 1999 |