FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Umar ibn al-Khattab—The Second Caliph (634-44) Umar ibn Khattab, the second Caliph is the founder of the Arab empire. He was born in pagan Makkah. He embraced Islam through the efforts of his sister Fatimah, four years before the migration to Madinah. He was completely opposed to the Prophet at first. He had actually set out to kill him. But while on his way, someone told him that his sister and her husband had become Muslims. On hearing the most shocking news he diverted his course, and rushed to his sister’s home in great fury. At that moment Fatimah was reading some passage from the Quran. She tried to hide that section of the Quran as she saw him coming. But Umar burst into the house without giving them any time and began beating his brother-in-law. His sister too got wounded while attempting to protect her husband. Umar saw blood oozing from their faces. On seeing these wounds, Umar calmed down. He took the text from her and read it himself. He was so greatly moved by these divine words that he asked them to take him to Muhammad immediately to proclaim his acceptance of Islam. As soon as he joined the believers, the community became very strong. He was famed for his bravery, intelligence and was endowed with a towering personality. Although he held no official position, he became the real organizer of the newly formed community of the believers. He became one of the Prophet’s chief advisors. His part was in fact more of a counsellor than of a soldier, although he did take part in the battles. Umar was so exceptionally gifted by nature that the power after Abu Bakr naturally passed on to him. Although he was nominated by Abu Bakr, the majority of the Companions accepted him as Caliph without any hesitation. He held this office from AD 634 to 644. When Umar assumed power, the great expansion by conquest had already begun. Umar himself had contributed to it especially in his capacity as advisor to Abu Bakr. It is one of his greatest achievements that he brought the fiercely independent Bedouins under control and executed his plans of expansion so successfully. All the generals were under his full control. One of his uncanny ability lay in recognizing the talents of people. Umar would unmistakably choose that person and employ him for the Islam will be destroyed by the mistakes of scholars, the arguments of the hypocrites who misinterpret the Quran to support their views and misleading rulers. — Umar ibn al-Khattab