Umar ibn Al-Khatab The story and life of Al Farooq Umar Ibn Al-Khattab is a beautiful story to know and share with others. It is a great part of the history of our religion, Islam. Known as Abu Hafs, his full name was Umar ibn Al-Khattab ibn Nufayl ibn Abdul Uzza. His nickname Al Farooq (the Criterion) was given to him because of the way he showed his strength in Makkah and became distinguished for his faith in Allah. His grandfather, Nufayl, was the one whom Quraysh referred to for judgment and his parents were Al-Khattab ibn Nufayl and Hantamah bint Hashim bin Al Mugheeraj. His forefathers had an outstanding history and Umar inherited their status and a great knowledge from them. Born in 583 AC, Umar grew to be tall, muscular and strong with a light, reddish complexion. It has been written that he walked quickly, spoke clearly and that a strike from him caused pain. His early life Growing up in Quraysh, his formative years were in the pre-Islamic years. Unlike most people in Quraysh, he had learned to read but had a harsh upbringing with no luxuries. Something that left a mark on him his entire life was the harsh way that he was treated by his father who forced him to tend the camels and livestock. Besides working with the family livestock, something which taught him restraint, patience and toughness, Umar also excelled in sports during his youth. He was especially good at wrestling, riding and horsemanship. His talents and interests did not stop there since he took pleasure in listening and narrating poetry, history and had a great interest in the concerns of the people around him. Over the years, Umar traveled to fairs in the region, including Syria and Yemen, where he took the opportunity to learn more about the history of the Arab nation, while he also traded, making him one of the richest men in Makkah. Umar’s intelligence coupled with his status, which came through his family, was the reason why many people sought him out to help resolve disputes. Eloquent, well spoken, persuasive and respectable, Umar was the chosen ambassador of Quraysh. His duty was to speak for them before other tribes or to act as an ambassador in the event of a conflict. Having lived through the pre-Islamic era, Umar respected his religions true nature, customs and traditions and he defended them with all his strength. Therefore, upon entering Islam, he immediately recognized its beauty and true nature. His conversion to Islam When Umar was 27 the Holy Prophet (PBUH) began his mission but Umar did not care for the message of Islam. He became angrier as the years passed and realized that Islam was gaining ground. It was in the sixth year of the Mission, when a number of Muslim converts left for Abyssinia for fear of persecution, that Umar boiled with rage. He considered the Holy Prophet (PBUH), who was calling for the people to believe in one God alone and to reject all that they previously knew, to be the one responsible for splitting up the people who had been living well enough until a few years before. His own cousin, Umm Abdullah bin Hantamh was included in the group that was 6 Stories of the Sahabah
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