Part of The Ten Given Glad Tidings of Paradise (series completed)
· Lesson 10 of 30
The ten promised Paradise | Episode (10) | Omar bin Al-Khattab, may God be pleased with him (Part 6)
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Transcript
Machine translation — may contain errors
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In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
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Mawaddah Association
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Presents:
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The Ten Promised Paradise:
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'Umar ibn al-Khattab,
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May Allah be pleased with him.
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Love for the Companions and the Prophet's kin is a Sunnah
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Upon which I shall meet my Lord as long as I live.
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Love for the Companions and the Prophet's kin.
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A Bedouin came to 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and said:
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"O 'Umar of goodness, may you be rewarded with Paradise!
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Clothe my daughters and their mother,
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For we all rely on you as a shield against hard times.
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I swear by Allah that you surely will!"
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'Umar replied:
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"And if I do not, what then?"
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The Bedouin said:
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"Then, O Abu Hafs, I shall surely depart!"
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'Umar asked:
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"And if you depart, what then?"
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The man said:
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"By Allah, you will surely be questioned about my plight
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On the Day when gifts will be brought before us,
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And the one questioned stands between two outcomes:
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Either to the Fire or to Paradise!"
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'Umar wept until his beard was soaked.
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Then he said, "Boy!
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Give him this shirt of mine for that Day,
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For by Allah, I own no other."
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Such was the life of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab
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(May Allah be pleased with him) during his caliphate:
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Untiring care for individuals,
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And relentless guardianship over the Islamic society.
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However, that society
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Had expanded far and wide,
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Its territory stretching vast,
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Making it difficult to be managed
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By a single person,
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No matter how energetic and knowledgeable
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In the affairs of life he might be.
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The first thing 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did
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Was to separate the judiciary from the executive governorship.
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Alongside the governor, he appointed
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A judge to oversee judicial matters.
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At times, he would combine for some judges
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Teaching or managing the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal)
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Alongside their judicial duties.
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He implemented this plan
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In the newly conquered provinces during his reign—
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In Iraq, the Levant, and Egypt.
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The reason for this was perhaps
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The unique character of those provinces,
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Namely their high population density,
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Comprising the local inhabitants
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In addition to the Muslim conquerors,
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And the resulting
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Multiplicity of legal cases and disputes,
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Which made the burden
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Of governance too heavy for the governor alone.
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'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) allocated
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A regular salary for every judge
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From the Muslim treasury,
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Assisting him in performing his duty
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And ensuring his continued service to the Ummah.
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It appears that the abundance of the state's financial resources
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Following the stabilization of the conquests
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Prompted 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
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To alter his policy,
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So he agreed to establish an administrative register (Diwan),
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In which the names of Muslims were recorded,
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And through which they received regular stipends.
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It is reported that Abu Hurairah
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Came to 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with both of them)
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Carrying wealth from Bahrain.
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'Umar asked him, "What have you brought?"
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He replied, "Five hundred thousand dirhams."
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'Umar considered this a vast sum,
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So he ascended the pulpit,
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Praised Allah and extolled Him,
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And then said, "O people!
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A great deal of wealth has come to us.
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If you wish, we can measure it out for you by volume,
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Or if you wish, we can count it out for you by number."
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A man stood up and said:
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"O Commander of the Faithful!
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I have seen the non-Arabs maintain a administrative register (Diwan);
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So establish a register for us."
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'Umar approved of the idea.
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When 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) decided to establish the register,
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'Ali and 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf (may Allah be pleased with both of them) said to him:
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"Begin with yourself."
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He said, "No,
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Rather, I shall begin with the uncle of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
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And then the next closest relative, and so on."
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So he allocated a stipend for al-'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him)
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And started with him.
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Because 'Umar was keen to know the finest details regarding his governors' conduct
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And what was transpiring in every province,
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He selected a man from the elite of his men—strong, pious,
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Trustworthy, adhering to the Sunnah, and experienced—
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Namely, Muhammad ibn Maslamah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him),
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To serve as his special inspector over the governors and their official acts,
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And to investigate complaints raised against them.
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'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to assemble his governors in Mecca during the Hajj season every year
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To question them about their conduct,
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And he would ask the public about them to assess their diligence in carrying out their duties.
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He would be delighted whenever he saw his governors devoting themselves entirely to the welfare of their subjects,
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And he would praise them immensely for that.
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'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not monopolize authority, despite being inspired by Allah (*muhaddath*);
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Rather, he adopted consultation (*shura*) as his methodology in governance and in administering the affairs of the Muslims,
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Acting upon the saying of Allah the Exalted:
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"And consult them in the matter,"
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And in adherence to the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
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For this reason, he established three consultative councils for himself:
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The first council was exclusively for the Emigrants (Muhajirun),
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The foundational block of Islam.
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In this council, 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would present the daily reports
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That reached him from the provinces and administrative centers,
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Seeking their counsel on them.
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The second council comprised the senior Companions among the Muhajirun and the Ansar,
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Possessing expertise and experience;
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They provided the Caliph with counsel
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And debated key issues with him.
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The third council
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Was for the general body of Muslims among the Muhajirun, the Ansar,
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And the tribal leaders visiting Medina.
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Whenever 'Umar wished to seek the opinion of the general public,
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He would call out, "As-Salatu Jami'ah" (Prayer is gathered),
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And the people would assemble in the mosque.
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'Umar would then enter, deliver a sermon,
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And present the matter requiring discussion and deliberation.
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Such was the biography of al-Faruq 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him):
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Knowledge paired with action,
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Responsibility paired with justice—
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Unwavering in upholding the truth, fearless of any critic's blame.
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'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) performed Hajj,
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His final Hajj, in the year 23 AH.
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When he departed from Mina,
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He halted at al-Abtah,
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And there he raised his hands to the sky and said:
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"O Allah! My age has advanced,
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My strength has weakened,
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And my flock has spread far and wide.
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So take my soul to You, neither neglected nor falling short."
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His daughter, the Mother of the Believers, Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her), heard him
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Supplicating one day, saying:
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"O Allah, grant me martyrdom in Your cause,
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And grant me death in the city of Your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)."
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She asked, "How could that be?"
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'Umar replied:
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"Allah brings about His decree whenever He wills."
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It was part of his policy (may Allah be pleased with him)
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Not to permit captives from the conquered lands to enter Medina,
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The capital of the Caliphate,
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Unless they embraced Islam and entered this religion.
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This political stance demonstrates his wisdom and farsightedness,
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For these conquered, defeated peoples
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Harbored resentment against Islam,
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Despised it,
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And were predisposed to plot and scheme against Islam and the Muslims.
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However, some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)
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Owned slaves and servants among these Christian or Zoroastrian captives,
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And some of them persistently requested 'Umar
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To allow a few of their conquered slaves to reside in Medina
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So they could assist them in their trades and daily labor.
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Among those Companions was al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him),
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Who wrote to 'Umar seeking permission for a slave of his to enter Medina,
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Named Firuz al-Nahawandi,
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Known by his kunya, Abu Lu'lu'ah the Zoroastrian.
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Al-Mughirah stated that he possessed skills beneficial to the people,
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Being a blacksmith, an engraver, and a carpenter.
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So 'Umar reluctantly granted him permission.
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And precisely what 'Umar anticipated came to pass:
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On the dawn of Wednesday,
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Four days before the end of the month of Dhu al-Hijjah,
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Abu Lu'lu'ah lay in ambush inside the mosque,
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Carrying a double-bladed poisoned dagger.
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As 'Umar stood straightening the rows for prayer,
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And just as he pronounced the *takbir* to lead the people in prayer,
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The slave stabbed him in his shoulder and in his side.
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'Umar collapsed, saying:
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“There is no reproach for the Prophet in that which Allah maketh his due. That was Allah's way with those who passed away of old - and the commandment of Allah is certain destiny -” (33:38)
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Then the slave fled,
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Passing by no one to his right or left
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Without stabbing him,
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Until he had stabbed thirteen men,
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Seven of whom died.
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When a Muslim man saw this,
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He threw his cloak over him.
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Realizing he was trapped, the barbarian
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Slit his own throat.
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'Umar took the hand of 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf
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And pushed him forward to lead the people in prayer,
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So he led them in a brief prayer.
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'Umar was then carried to his house,
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Overcome by blood loss until he fell unconscious.
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When morning broke,
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He awoke and asked:
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"Have the people prayed?"
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They replied to him, "Yes."
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He said:
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"There is no Islam for whoever abandons the prayer."
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He then performed ablution and prayed,
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Leaning on his son, Abdullah,
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While his wound was gushing with blood.
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The doctor arrived
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And gave 'Umar date wine to drink,
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But it flowed right out of his wound.
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Then he gave him milk to drink,
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And it also flowed out of his wound.
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Thus, he realized that it meant death.
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When 'Umar learned that his assassin was a Magian slave,
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He said:
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"Praise be to Allah, Who did not place my death at the hands of a man who could dispute with me before Allah
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By virtue of a single prostration he ever performed."
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People came to visit 'Umar,
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Bidding him farewell and praising him,
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Mentioning his great achievements in Islam.
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He would respond to them by saying:
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"The deluded one is he whom you delude."
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Then a young man came to him and said:
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"Rejoice, O Commander of the Faithful, with the glad tidings from Allah to you!"
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'Umar replied:
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"I wish that all of that would just balance out—
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Neither against me nor for me."
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As the young man turned to leave,
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His lower garment was dragging on the ground.
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So 'Umar said:
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"Bring the youth back to me!"
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Then he said to him:
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"O son of my brother,
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Lift up your garment,
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For it is cleaner for your garment and more God-fearing before your Lord."
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Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
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"May Allah have mercy on 'Umar!
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His dire condition did not prevent him from speaking the truth."
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Some of them said to him:
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"Make a will, O Commander of the Faithful, and designate a successor."
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He said:
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"I do not see anyone more deserving of this matter
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Than this group of people with whom the Messenger of Allah
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(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
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Was pleased when he passed away."
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So he named 'Ali, Talhah, 'Uthman,
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Al-Zubayr, 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf,
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And Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas.
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And he said:
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"'Abdullah ibn 'Umar shall be a witness,
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But he shall have no share in the governance,"
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Serving merely as a consolation to him.
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'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) sent
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His son 'Abdullah
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To 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her),
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Saying:
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"Go to 'A'ishah, Mother of the Believers,
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And say:
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''Umar conveys his greetings of peace to you.'
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Do not say 'the Commander of the Faithful,'
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For today I am no longer the commander of the believers.
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Rather, say:
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''Umar ibn al-Khattab asks permission
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To be buried alongside his two companions.'"
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He only phrased it that way
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So that 'A'ishah would not perceive it as an order.
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So 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar greeted her
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And asked permission to enter upon 'A'ishah,
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Finding her sitting and weeping.
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He said:
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"'Umar ibn al-Khattab conveys his greetings of peace to you,
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And asks permission to be buried alongside his two companions."
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She replied:
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"I had wanted that spot for myself,
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But today I shall certainly prefer him over myself."
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When 'Abdullah returned, it was said:
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"Here is 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, he has returned."
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'Umar said:
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"Lift me up!
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What news do you bring, my son?"
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He replied:
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"That which you love, O Commander of the Faithful;
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She has granted permission."
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He said:
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"Praise be to Allah!
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Nothing was more important to me than that.
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When I pass away,
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Carry me there,
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Then greet her and say:
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''Umar ibn al-Khattab asks permission.'
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If she grants me permission,
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Then take me inside;
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But if she refuses me,
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Then return me to the public graveyard of the Muslims."
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'Uthman ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
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"I was the last of you to see 'Umar.
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I entered upon him while his head was in the lap of his son, 'Abdullah.
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'Umar said to his son:
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'Place my cheek upon the ground.'
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His son replied:
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'Are my thigh and the ground not equal?'
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'Umar reiterated:
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'Place my cheek upon the ground, woe to you!'
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'Abdullah said: 'So I placed it.'
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Then 'Umar said:
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'Woe to 'Umar if Allah does not forgive you!
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Woe to 'Umar if Allah does not forgive you!'
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When he passed away,
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'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
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"There is no one on earth with whose record of deeds I would love to meet Allah
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More than this shrouded man lying before you."
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Suhayb al-Rumi led his funeral prayer in the Mosque of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
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And he was buried beside his companion
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In the room of 'A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her).
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May Allah be pleased with that noble man, 'Umar!
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For he was the first Caliph to be titled Commander of the Faithful,
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The first to institute the Islamic calendar,
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The first to gather the people for the Tarawih prayer,
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The first to make night patrols to inspect the conditions of the Muslims,
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He carried the whip and used it to discipline,
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He led the great conquests,
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Instituted the land tax (Kharaj),
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Founded the garrison cities,
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Appointed judges,
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Established the state registries (Diwan),
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Stipulated stipends,
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And performed Hajj with the Mothers of the Believers,
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The wives of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
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In the last pilgrimage he performed.
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May Allah reward him with goodness on behalf of Islam and the Muslims.
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The Chosen One
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Is the best of companions, as affirmed by texts;
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In the Paradise of Eternity, they are confirmed.
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Their honor was increased:
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They are Talhah,
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Ibn 'Awf,
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Al-Zubayr, along with
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Abu 'Ubaydah,
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The two Sa'ds, and the Caliphs.