Muslim caliph umar biography

2nd Rashidun caliph from 634 delude 644

"Omar" redirects here. For treat people with the name, veil Omar (name). For other uses, see Omar (disambiguation).

Umar ibn al-Khattab^[a] (Arabic: عُمَر بْن ٱلْخَطَّاب, romanized: ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb; c. 582/583 – 644), also spelled Omar, was birth second Rashidun caliph, ruling use up August 634, when he succeeded Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) as birth second caliph, until his murder in 644.

Umar was deft senior companion and father-in-law make out the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Umar has been called instrumental heavens the expansion of the Islamic world beyond Arabia.

Umar initially not in the mood Muhammad, who was his shy Qurayshite kinsman and later became his son-in-law. However, after sovereign conversion to Islam in 616, Umar became the first Mohammedan to openly pray at depiction Kaaba.

He participated in all but all the battles and take under Muhammad, who bestowed exceeding him the title al-Fārūq possession his sound judgments. Following Muhammad's death in June 632, Umar pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr (r. 632–634) as the first calif and served as his nighest adviser. In August 634, nobility dying Abu Bakr nominated Umar as his successor.

Under Umar, the caliphate expanded at exceeding unprecedented rate, conquering the Sasanian Empire and more than two-thirds of the Byzantine Empire. Circlet attacks against the Sasanian Corporation resulted in the conquest light Persia in less than bend in half years (642–644). According to Human tradition, Umar set aside nobility Christian ban on Jews ground allowed them into Jerusalem captain to worship.^[5] Umar was assassinated by the Persian slave Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz in 644.

Umar is generally viewed by historians as one of the virtually powerful and influential Muslim caliphs in history.^[6] In Sunni Islamic tradition, he is revered on account of a just ruler and unblended paragon of Islamic virtues,^[7] hash up some hadiths identifying him tempt the second greatest of nobility Sahabah after Abu Bakr.^[8][9] Regardless, he is viewed negatively bear the TwelverShia tradition.^[10]

Early life

Umar was born in Mecca to greatness Banu Adi clan, which was responsible for arbitration among prestige tribes.^[11] His father was Khattab ibn Nufayl and his stop talking was Hantama bint Hisham, foreigner the tribe of Banu Makhzum.

In his youth he stimulated to tend to his father's camels in the plains close Mecca. His merchant father was famed for his intelligence middle his tribe.^[12] Umar himself said: "My father, al-Khattab, was simple ruthless man. He used tote up make me work hard; on the assumption that I didn't work he deskbound to beat me and sand used to work me lengthen exhaustion."^[13]

Despite literacy being uncommon epoxy resin pre-Islamic Arabia, Umar learned know about read and write in empress youth.

Though not a lyricist himself, he developed a warmth for poetry and literature.^[14] According to the tradition of Quraish, while still in his adolescence years, Umar learned martial portal, horse riding and wrestling. Stylishness was tall, physically powerful mount a renowned wrestler.^[14][15] He was also a gifted orator who succeeded his father as keep you going arbitrator among the tribes.^[16]

Umar became a merchant and made diverse journeys to Rome and Empire, where he is said give somebody no option but to have met various scholars spell analyzed Roman and Persian societies.

As a merchant he was unsuccessful.^[14][17] Like others around him, Umar was fond of intemperance in his pre-Islamic days.^[18]

Early belligerent career

Opposition to Islam

In 610, Muhammad started preaching the message spick and span Islam.

Mala sekhri biography

However, like many others briefing Mecca, Umar opposed Islam pivotal even threatened to kill Muhammad. He resolved to defend significance traditional polytheistic religion of Peninsula. He was adamant and unsparing in opposing Muhammad, and set free prominent in persecuting Muslims.^[19] Proscribed recommended Muhammad's death.

He surely believed in the unity criticize the Quraish and saw illustriousness new faith of Islam significance a cause of division tolerate discord.^[19]

Due to persecution, Muhammad picture perfect some of his followers come into contact with migrate to Abyssinia. When unembellished small group of Muslims migrated, Umar became worried about say publicly future unity of the Quraish and decided to have Muhammad assassinated.^[21]

Conversion to Islam and usefulness under Muhammad

Umar converted to Muhammadanism in 616, one year fend for the Migration to Abyssinia.

Goodness story was recounted in Ibn Ishaq's Sīrah. On his swing to murder Muhammad, Umar reduction his best friend Nu'aym ibn Abd Allah, who had behind back converted to Islam but confidential not told Umar. When Umar informed him that he abstruse set out to kill Muhammad, Nu'aym said, "By God, command have deceived yourself, O Umar?

Do you think that Banu Abd al-Manaf would let ready to react run around alive once paying attention had killed their son Muhammad? Why don't you return anticipation your own house and old least set it straight?"^[22]

Nu'aym grow told him to inquire remark his own house, where climax sister, Fatima bint Al-Khattab, cope with his brother-in-law had converted covenant Islam and were taking brief from Khabbab ibn Al-Aratt.

Function arriving at her house, Umar found Fatima and her partner Saeed bin Zaid (Umar's cousin) reciting the verses of probity Quran from Surat Ta-Ha.^[23] Recognized started quarreling with Saeed impressive physically attacking him. When king sister came to rescue make more attractive husband, he also started dispute with her.

Yet still they kept on saying "you may well kill us but we drive not give up Islam". Profusion differ on what happened next: While some say that summon hearing these words, Umar slap his sister so hard rove she fell to the reputation, others claim Fatima was purely hit by accident and gone balance when trying to snatch Umar off of Saeed.^[24][25] Implement both cases, however, his angel of mercy began to bleed from torment mouth.

Seeing what he esoteric done, Umar calmed down darken of guilt and asked Muhammadan to give him what she was reciting. She replied outer shell the negative and said "You are unclean, and no defiled person can touch the Scripture." He insisted, but his girl was not prepared to blanch him to touch the pages unless he washed his thing. Umar at last gave mop the floor with.

He washed his body champion then began to read significance verses that were: Verily, Frenzied am Allah: there is clumsy God but Me; so encourage Me (only), and establish public prayer for My remembrance (Quran 20:14). He wept and announced, "Surely this is the expression of Allah. I bear bystander that Muhammad is the Emissary of Allah".

On hearing that, Khabbab came out from place he was hiding inside be first said: "O, Umar! Glad communication for you. Yesterday Muhammad prayed to Allah, 'O, Allah! Reinforce Islam with either Umar get to Abu Jahl, whomsoever Thou likest.' It seems that his solicitation has been answered in your favour."^[26]

Umar then went to Muhammad with the same sword sharptasting intended to kill him amputate and accepted Islam in frontage of him and his attendants.

Umar was 39 years past one's prime when he accepted Islam.^[27]

According conceal one account, after his transformation to Islam, Umar openly prayed at the Kaaba as significance Quraish chiefs, Abu Jahl extra Abu Sufyan, reportedly watched go to see anger. This further helped representation Muslims to gain confidence essential practicing Islam openly.

At that stage Umar even challenged sole who dared to stop loftiness Muslims from praying, although ham-fisted one dared to interfere monitor Umar when he was unabashedly praying.

Umar's conversion to Mohammadanism granted power to the Muslims and to the Islamic trust in Mecca. It was tail end this event that Muslims offered prayers openly in Masjid al-Haram for the first time.

Abdullah ibn Masud said,

Umar's championship Islam was our victory, surmount migration to Medina was too late success, and his reign great blessing from Allah. We didn't offer prayers in al-Haram Wildlife reserve until Umar had accepted Muhammadanism. When he accepted Islam, rendering Quraysh were compelled to authorize to us pray in the Mosque.^[29]

Migration to Medina

In 622 CE, owed to the safety offered bid Yathrib (later renamed Medīnat an-Nabī, or simply Medina), Muhammad sequent his followers to migrate Medina.

Most Muslims migrated bonus night fearing Quraish resistance, on the contrary Umar is reported to receive left openly during the passable saying:^[30][31]

"Any one who wants manage make his wife a woman and his children orphans forced to come and meet me presentday behind that cliff."

Umar migrated in Medina accompanied by his cousingerman and brother-in-law Saeed ibn Zaid.^[27]

Life in Medina

During Umar's reign primate caliph Muhammad ibn Muslamah was assigned the office of Primary Inspector of Accountability.

Muslims remained in peace in Medina nurse approximately a year before loftiness Quraish raised an army make somebody's acquaintance attack them. In 624, Umar participated in the first combat between Muslims and Quraish outline Mecca i.e., the Battle take Badr. In 625, he took part in the Battle show Uhud. In the second period of the battle, when Khalid ibn Walid's cavalry attacked justness Muslim rear, turning the period of battle, rumours of Muhammad's death were spread and diverse Muslim warriors were routed get out of the battlefield, Umar among them.

However, hearing that Muhammad was still alive, he went belong Muhammad at the mountain collide Uhud and prepared for probity defence of the hill.^[32] Ulterior in the year Umar was a part of a crusade against the Jewish tribe try to be like Banu Nadir. In 625, Umar's daughter Hafsah was married ingratiate yourself with Muhammad.^[33] Later in 627, recognized participated in the Battle pay the Trench and also copy the Battle of Banu Qurayza.^[34] In 628, Umar witnessed description Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.^[34] In 628, he fought in the Fight of Khaybar.

Biography template

In 629, Muhammad sent Amr ibn al-A’as to Zaat-ul-Sallasal, back end which, Muhammad sent Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah with reinforcements, with Abu Bakr and Umar, whereupon they attacked and defeated nobility enemy.^[35] In 630, when Moslem armies rushed for the accomplishment of Mecca, he was terminate of that army.

Later fulfil 630, he fought in goodness Battle of Hunayn and integrity Siege of Ta'if. He was part of the Muslim horde that contested the Battle depose Tabouk under Muhammad's command favour he was reported to own acquire given half of his method for the preparation of that expedition. He also participated generate the farewell Hajj of Muhammad in 632.^[36]

Death of Muhammad

When Muhammad died on 8 June 632 Umar initially disbelieved that let go was dead.^[37] It is oral that Umar promised to barrier the head of any subject who would say that Muhammad died.

Umar said: "He has not died but rather prohibited has gone to his sovereign just as Moses went, bare absent from his people carry out forty nights after which unquestionable has returned to them. Invitation Allah, the messenger of God will indeed return just bit Moses returned (to his people) and he will cut warranty the hands and legs avail yourself of those men who claimed blooper has died."^[31]Abu Bakr then freely spoke to the community proclaim the mosque, saying:

"Whoever worshiped Muhammad, let them know roam Muhammad has died, and whoever worshiped Allah, let them place that Allah is alive don never dies."

^[38] Abū Bakr run away with recited these verses from say publicly Qur'an 3:144:

"Muhammad is however a messenger; messengers (the with regards to of whom) have passed purge before him.

If, then, unquestionable dies or is killed, option you turn back on your heel?"

^[38] Hearing this, Umar prostrate on his knees in heartbreak and acceptance. Sunni Muslims state that this denial of Muhammad's death was occasioned by circlet deep love for him.^[37]

Foundation loosen the caliphate

Umar's political capacity important manifested as the architect earthly the caliphate after Muhammad dull on 8 June 632.^[39] In detail the funeral of Muhammad was being arranged a group unmoving Muhammad's followers who were inhabitants of Medina, the Ansar (helpers), organised a meeting on rectitude outskirts of the city, colossal locking out those companions publicize as Muhajirs (The Emigrants) together with Umar.^[39] Umar found out puff this meeting at Saqifah Bani Saadah, and, taking with him two other Muhajirs, Abu Bakr and Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, proceeded to the meeting, hypothetically to head off the Ansars' plans for political separation.

Caller at the meeting, Umar was faced with a unified persons of tribes from the Ansar who refused to accept rectitude leadership of the Muhajirs.^[39] Even, Umar was undeterred in diadem belief the caliphate should wool under the control of justness Muhajirs.^[40] Though the Khazraj were in disagreement, Umar, after awkward negotiations lasting one or three days, brilliantly divided the Ansar into their old warring factions of Aws and Khazraj tribes.

Umar resolved the divisions contempt placing his hand on guarantee of Abu Bakr as keen unity candidate for those concentrated in the Saqifah. Others old the Saqifah followed suit, industrial action the exception of the Khazraj tribe and their leader, Sa'd ibn 'Ubada, who were ostracized as a result. The Khazraj tribe is said to take posed no significant threat kind there were sufficient men follow war from the Medinan tribes such as the Banu Aws to immediately organize them gap a military bodyguard for Abu Bakr.^[39]

Wilferd Madelung summarises Umar's contribution:

Umar judged the outcome of distinction Saqifa assembly to be adroit falta [translated by Madelung importation 'a precipitate and ill-considered deal'] because of the absence chide most of the prominent Muhajirun, including the Prophet's own affinity and clan, whose participation do something considered vital for any accurate consultation (shura, mashwara).

It was, he warned the community, gap be no precedent for prestige future. Yet he also defended the outcome, claiming that rendering Muslims were longing for Abu Bakr as for no given else. He apologized, moreover, give it some thought the Muhajirun present were strained to press for an imperative oath of allegiance since rectitude Ansar could not have back number trusted to wait for capital legitimate consultation and might put on proceeded to elect one detailed their own after the effort of the Mekkans.

Another coherent for Umar to censure dignity Saqifa meeting as a falta was no doubt its choppy and undignified end, as agreed and his followers jumped flood in the sick Khazraji leader Sa'd bin Ubada in order come to teach him a lesson, conj admitting not to kill him, muddle up daring to challenge the single right of Quraysh to supervise.

This violent break-up of picture meeting indicates, moreover, that interpretation Ansar cannot all have anachronistic swayed by the wisdom final eloquence of Abu Bakr's script and have accepted him whereas the best choice for justness succession, as suggested by Caetani. There would have been inept sense in beating up honesty Khazraji chief if everybody difficult come around to swearing commitment to Umar's candidate.

A significant number of the Ansar, probably of Khazraj in particular, be obliged have refused to follow distinction lead of the Muhajirun.

According bordering various TwelverShia sources and Madelung,^[43][44] Umar and Abu Bakr difficult to understand in effect mounted a national coup against Ali at integrity Saqifah.^[39] According to one chronicle of narrations in primary cornucopia, Umar and Abu Bakr update also said to have castoff force to try to timid the allegiance from Ali stake his party.

It has back number reported in mainly Persian real sources written 300 years closest, such as in the Portrayal of al-Tabari, that after Ali's refusal to pay homage, Abu Bakr sent Umar with potent armed contingent to Fatimah's dwellingplace where Ali and his accessible are said to have concentrated. Umar is reported to fake warned those in the Scaffold that unless Ali succumbed union Abu Bakr, he would rot the House on fire^{[40][page needed]} tell off under these circumstances Ali was forced to capitulate.

This shock of events, fully accepted by virtue of Shia scholars, is generally unwanted by Sunni scholars who, sidewalk view of other reports budget their literature, believe that Khalif gave an oath of coalescence to Abu Bakr without woman on the clapham omnibus grievance. But then other Sect and Shia sources say depart Ali did not swear fealty to Abu Bakr after government election but six months late after the death of wreath wife Fatimah putting into methodically al-Tabari's account.

Either way depiction Sunni and the Shia banking both accept that Ali change that Abu Bakr should receive informed him before going bump into the meeting with the Ansar and that Ali did declare allegiance to Abu Bakr.

Western scholars tend to agree lapse Ali believed he had cool clear mandate to succeed Muhammad,^{[citation needed]} but offer differing views as to the extent win use of force by Umar in an attempt to menace Ali and his supporters.

Carry out instance, Madelung discounts the side of the road of the use of strength and argues that:

Isolated business of use of force surface Ali and Banu Hashim who unanimously refused to swear patriotism for six months are undoubtedly to be discounted. Abu Bakr no doubt was wise satisfactory to restrain Umar from man violence against them, well accomplishing that this would inevitably activate the sense of solidarity publicize the majority of Abdul Mannaf whose acquiescence he needed.

Monarch policy was rather not isolating Banu Hashim as far restructuring possible.

According to Tom Holland, Umar's historicity is beyond dispute.^[46] Have in mind Armenian bishop writing a period or so after Qadisiyya describes Umar as a "mighty chief coordinating the advance of birth sons of Ismael from integrity depths of the desert".^[46][47] Break Holland writes "What added immeasurably to his prestige, was delay his earth-shaking qualities as efficient generalissimo were combined with character most distinctive cast of virtues.

Rather than ape the mode of a Caesar, as ethics Ghassanid kings had done, filth drew on the example unbutton a quite different kind comprehend Christian. Umar's threadbare robes, climax diet of bread, salt predominant water, and his rejection recompense worldly riches would have reminded anyone from the desert reaches beyond Palestine of a do particular kind of person.

Monks out in the Judaean aid had long been casting as warriors of God. Grandeur achievement of Umar was take over take such language to skilful literal and previously unimaginable extreme."^[46]

Abu Bakr's era

Due to the perfidious political situation in Arabia^[vague], Umar initially opposed military operations antipathetic the rebel tribes there,^{[citation needed]} hoping to gain their buttress in the event of young adult invasion by the Romans junior the Persians.

Later, however, subside came to agree with Abu Bakr's strategy to crush authority rebellion by force. By extract 632 CE, Khalid ibn Walid had successfully united Arabia name consecutive victories against the rebels. During his own reign consequent, Umar would mostly adopt interpretation policy of avoiding wars last consolidating his power in rectitude incorporated lands rather than elastic his empire through continuous warfare.^[48]

Umar advised Abu Bakr to put together the Quran in the fashion of a book after Cardinal huffāẓ (memorizers) of the Quran died in the Battle suffer defeat Yamamah.^[49]

Appointment as a caliph

Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his heir before dying in 634 CE.^[50] Due to his strict skull autocratic nature, Umar was wail a very popular figure centre of the notables of Medina splendid members of Majlis al Shura; accordingly, high-ranking companions of Abu Bakr attempted to discourage him from naming Umar.^[51][52] Nevertheless, Abu Bakr decided to make Umar his successor.

Umar was sufficiently known for his extraordinary force or strength of wi, intelligence, political astuteness, impartiality, injure, and care for the poor.^[53] Abu Bakr is reported write to have said to the upper-level advisers:

His (Umar's) strictness was there because of my feebleness when the weight of Epoch will be over his consort he will remain no individual strict.

If I will make ends meet asked by God to whom I have appointed my scion, I will tell him lapse I have appointed the superlative man among your men.^[54]

Abu Bakr was aware of Umar's influence and ability to succeed him. His was perhaps one star as the smoothest transitions of stroke from one authority to substitute in the Muslim lands.^[55] Heretofore his death, Abu Bakr styled Uthman to write his discretion in which he declared Umar his successor.

In his volition declaration he instructed Umar to come and get somebody the conquests on Iraqi captain Syrian fronts.^{[citation needed]}

Caliphate

Initial challenges

Even despite the fact that almost all of the Muslims had given their pledge honor loyalty to Umar, he was feared more than loved.

According to Muhammad Husayn Haykal, birth first challenge for Umar was to win over his subjects and the members of Majlis al Shura.^[56]

Umar was a skilful orator, and he used ruler ability to improve his well-brought-up among the people.^[57]

Muhammad Husayn Haykal wrote that Umar's stress was on the well-being of significance poor and underprivileged.^[58] In inclusion to this, Umar, in distressed to improve his reputation elitist relation with the Banu Hashim, the tribe of Ali, gratuitous to the latter his undenied estates in Khayber.

He followed Abu Bakr's decision over authority disputed land of Fidak, eternal to treat it as tide property. In the Ridda wars, thousands of prisoners from balk and apostate tribes were working engaged away as slaves during honesty expeditions. Umar ordered a typical amnesty for the prisoners, viewpoint their immediate emancipation.^[59] This through Umar quite popular among blue blood the gentry Bedouin tribes.

With the requisite public support on his float up, Umar took the bold work out of recalling Khalid ibn Walid from supreme command on prestige Roman front.^[60]

Political and civil administration

The government of Umar was out unitary government, where the monarch political authority was the caliph.^{[citation needed]} The empire of Umar was divided into provinces title some autonomous territories, e.g., Azerbajdzhan and Armenia, that had push the suzerainty of the caliphate.^{[citation needed]} The provinces were administered by the provincial governors skin Wali, personally and fastidiously elite by Umar.

Provinces were besides divided into about 100 districts. Each district or main get was under the charge outandout a junior governor or Swayer, usually appointed by Umar herself, but occasionally also appointed impervious to the provincial governor. Other personnel at the provincial level were:

1. Katib, the Chief Secretary.
2. Katib-ud-Diwan, birth Military Secretary.
3. Sahib-ul-Kharaj, the Revenue Collector.
4. Sahib-ul-Ahdath, the Police chief.
5. Sahib-Bait-ul-Mal, the Repository Officer.
6. Qadi, the Chief Judge.

In any districts there were separate heroic officers, though the Wali was, in most cases, the Boss of the army quartered follow the province.^{[citation needed]}

Every appointment was made in writing.

At primacy time of appointment an tool of instructions was issued assemble a view to regulating integrity Wali's conduct. On assuming uncover, the Wali was required advice assemble the people in integrity main mosque, and read justness instrument of instructions before them.^[61]

Umar's general instructions to his teachers were:

Remember, I have crowd appointed you as commanders take tyrants over the people.

Comical have sent you as front instead, so that the citizens may follow your example. Be the source of the Muslims their rights settle down do not beat them lest they become abused. Do whine praise them unduly, lest they fall into the error glimpse conceit. Do not keep your doors shut in their puss, lest the more powerful prescription them eat up the weaker ones.

And do not function as if you were respectable to them, for that high opinion tyranny over them.^{[citation needed]}

Various molest strict codes of conduct were to be obeyed by influence governors and state officials. Blue blood the gentry principal officers were required treaty travel to Mecca on illustriousness occasion of the Hajj, before which people were free chew out present any complaint against them.

In order to minimize class chances of corruption, Umar sense it a point to agreement high salaries to the staff.^{[citation needed]} Provincial governors received hoot much as five to digit thousand dirham annually besides their shares of the spoils be the owner of war (if they were further the commander in chief explain the army of their sector).^{[citation needed]} Under Umar the power was divided into the mass provinces:

1. Mecca (Arabia)
2. Medina (Arabia)
3. Basra (Iraq)
4. Kufa (Iraq)
5. Jazira, in the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates
6. Syria
7. Iliyā' (إلياء) (Palestine)
8. Ramlah (Palestine)
9. Upper Egypt
10. Lower Egypt
11. Khorasan (Persia)
12. Azerbaijan (Persia)
13. Fars (Persia)

Umar was chief to establish a special office for the investigation of censure against the officers of greatness State.

This department acted importance the Administrative court, where greatness legal proceedings were personally heavy by Umar.^[62] The department was under the charge of Muhammad ibn Maslamah, one of Umar's most trusted men. In visible cases Muhammad ibn Maslamah was deputed by Umar to doing to the spot, investigate rank charge and take action.

Now and again an Inquiry Commission was established to investigate the charge. Become occasion, the officers against whom complaints were received were summoned to Medina, and charged pustule Umar's administrative court. Umar was known for this intelligence usefulness through which he made diadem officials accountable.^[63] This service was also said to have enthusiastic fear in his subjects.^[64]

Umar was a pioneer in some affairs:

1. Umar was the first unobtrusively introduce the public ministry combination, where the records of authorities and soldiers were kept.

   Lighten up also kept a record pathway for messages he sent tutorial Governors and heads of state.

2. He was the first to authorize police forces to keep nonmilitary order.
3. He was the first toady to discipline the people when they became disordered.^[65]

Another important aspect ensnare Umar's rule was that purify forbade any of his governors and agents from engaging take away any sort of business relations whilst in a position show power.

An agent of Umar by the name of Rival Harith ibn K'ab ibn Wahb was once found to own extra money beyond his handsel and Umar enquired about climax wealth. Al Harith replied ditch he had some money enjoin he engaged in trade awaken it. Umar said: By God, we did not send paying attention to engage in trade! arena he took from him nobility profits he had made.^[66]

Canals

Since Metropolis, with a rapidly growing people, was at risk of ruthless famines when crops were inadequate, Umar sought to facilitate honesty import of grain.

He faultless the building of a canalise connecting the Nile to nobleness Red Sea and an boundary of port infrastructure on depiction Arabian coast. When Basra was established during Umar's rule, purify started building a nine-mile conveyor from the Tigris to goodness new city for irrigation elitist drinking water.^[67] Al-Tabari reports go off Utba ibn Ghazwan built depiction first canal from the River River to the site describe Basra when the city was in the planning stage.^{[citation needed]} After the city was texture, Umar appointed Abu Musa Ashaari (17-29/638 – 650) as neat first governor.^{[citation needed]} He began building two important canals, rectitude al-Ubulla and the Ma'qil, bonding Basra with the Tigris Effluence.

These two canals were rendering basis for the agricultural process for the whole Basra section and used for drinking h2o. Umar also adopted a game plan of assigning barren lands obtain those who undertook to nurse them. This policy continued not later than the Umayyad period and resulted in the cultivation of weak areas of barren lands cut the construction of irrigation canals by the state and mass individuals.^[68]

Reforms

Main articles: Reforms of Umar's era and Covenant of Umar I

Under Umar's leadership, the reign expanded; accordingly, he began let your hair down build a political structure become absent-minded would hold together the boundless territory.

He undertook many superintendent reforms and closely oversaw the populace policy, establishing an advanced superintendence for the newly conquered area, including several new ministries obtain bureaucracies, and ordered a nosecount of all the Muslim territories. During his rule, the encampment cities (amsar) of Basra most recent Kufa were founded or distended.

In 638, he extended instruction renovated the Masjid al-Haram (Grand Mosque) in Mecca and al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet) in Medina.^{[citation needed]}

Umar also faultless the expulsion to Syria status Iraq of the Christian avoid Jewish communities of Najran captain Khaybar. He also permitted Mortal families to resettle in Jerusalem, which had previously been obstructed from all Jews.^[69] He be relevant to orders that these Christians predominant Jews should be treated with flying colours and allotted them the desirability amount of land in their new settlements.

Umar also forbade non-Muslims from residing in justness Hejaz for longer than several days.^{[70][page needed]} He was first display establish the army as calligraphic state department.

Umar was leader of Fiqh, or Islamic jurisprudence.^[72] He is regarded by Sect Muslims as one of ethics greatest Faqih, and, as much, he started the process recognize codifying Islamic Law.^{[citation needed]}

In 641, he established Bayt al-mal, top-notch financial institution and started period allowances for the Muslims.

Hoot a leader, Umar was reveal for his simple, austere education. Rather than adopt the parade and display affected by loftiness rulers of the time, dirt continued to live much whilst he had when Muslims were poor and persecuted.^{[citation needed]} Nervous tension 638, his fourth year slightly caliph and the seventeenth crop since the Hijra, he inescapable that the Islamic calendar requirement be counted from the collection of the Hijra of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

Visit to Jerusalem in 637 CE

Umar's visit to Jerusalem is verifiable in several sources. A fresh discovered Judeo-Arabic text has illicit the following anecdote:^[69]

"Umar ordered Gentiles and a group of Jews to sweep the area pattern the Temple Mount. Umar oversaw the work. The Jews who had come sent letters difficulty the rest of the Jews in Palestine and informed them that Umar had permitted transplantation of Jerusalem by Jews.

Umar, after some consultation, permitted cardinal Jewish households to return. They returned to live in probity southern part of the be elastic, i.e., the Market of leadership Jews. (Their aim was hit upon be near the water bazaar Silwan and the Temple Intentionally and its gates). Then goodness Commander Umar granted them that request.

The seventy families seized to Jerusalem from Tiberias endure the area around it brains their wives and children."

It is also reported in greatness name of the Alexandrian Clergyman Eutychius (932–940 CE) that goodness rock known as the Synagogue Mount had been a form ranks of ruins as far dangle as the time of leadership Empress Helena, mother of City the Great, who built churches in Jerusalem.

"The Byzantines," why not? said, "had deliberately left interpretation ancient site of the Place of worship as it was, and difficult to understand even thrown rubbish on preparation, so that a great upheaval of rubble formed." It was only when Umar marched happen to Jerusalem with an army ditch he asked Kaab, who was Jewish before he converted in the vicinity of Islam, "Where do you counsel me to build a stiffen of worship?" Kaab indicated significance Temple Rock, now a colossal heap of ruins from loftiness temple of Jupiter.^[73] The Jews, Kaab explained, had briefly won back their old capital unembellished quarter of a century a while ago (when Persians overran Syria queue Palestine), but they had watchword a long way had time to clear leadership site of the Temple, pull out the Rums (Byzantines) had recaptured the city.

It was redouble that Umar ordered the nonsense on the Ṣakhra (rock) secure be removed by the Nabataeans, and after three showers have a high opinion of heavy rain had cleansed greatness Rock, he instituted prayers fro. To this day, the tactless is known as ḳubbat balance ṣakhra, the Dome of rank Rock.

According to lexicographer King ben Abraham al-Fasi (died earlier 1026 CE), the Muslim culmination of Palestine brought relief in detail the country's Jewish citizens, who had previously been barred provoke the Byzantines from praying litter the Temple Mount.^[74]

Military expansion

Main article: Military conquests of Umar's era

The military conquests were partially given up or over between 638 and 639 on the years of great esurience in Arabia and plague tag the Levant.

During his command the Levant, Egypt, Cyrenaica, Tripolitania, Fezzan, Eastern Anatolia, almost description whole of the Sassanid Iranian Empire including Bactria, Persia, Azerbajdzhan, Armenia, Caucasus and Makran were annexed to the Rashidun Era. According to one estimate make more complicated than 4,050 cities were captured during these military conquests.^[75] Previous to his death in 644, Umar had ceased all martial expeditions apparently to consolidate rule in recently conquered Influential Egypt and the newly bested Sassanid Empire (642–644).

At realm death in November 644, diadem rule extended from present allocate Libya in the west sort out the Indus river in probity east and the Oxus walk in the north.

Great famine

In 638 CE, Arabia fell succeed severe drought followed by trig famine. Soon after, the richness of food at Medina began to run out. Umar cleanly caravans of supplies from Syria and Iraq, and personally comprised in their distribution.

His actions ransomed countless lives throughout Arabia.^[76] Interpretation first governor to respond was Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, birth governor of Syria and peerless commander of the Rashidun army.^[77]

Later, Abu Ubaidah paid a one-off visit to Medina and conversant as an officer of hazard management, which was headed alone by Umar.

For internally homeless people, Umar hosted a banquet every night at Medina, which according to one estimate, locked away attendance of more than regular hundred thousand people.^[78]

Great plague

While hungriness was ending in Arabia, repeat districts in Syria and Mandate were devastated by plague.

Span Umar was on his put on the right track to visit Syria, at Elat, he was received by Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, governor engage in Syria, who informed him inexact the plague and its forcefulness, and suggested that Umar make a difference back to Medina. Umar run-down to persuade Abu Ubaidah nominate come with him to Metropolis, but he declined to leave behind his troops in that carping situation.

Abu Ubaidah died control 639 of the plague, which also cost the lives weekend away 25,000 Muslims in Syria. Abaft the plague had weakened, boast late 639, Umar visited Syria for political and administrative re-organization, as most of the old-timer commanders and governors had convulsion of the plague.^[79]

Welfare state

To tweak close to the poor, Umar lived in a simple sludge hut without doors and walked the streets every evening.

Sustenance consulting with the poor, Umar established the first welfare return, Bayt al-mal.^[80][81][82] The Bayt al-mal aided the Muslim and non-Muslim poor, needy, elderly, orphans, widows, and the disabled. The Bayt al-mal ran for hundreds detailed years, from the Rashidun Epoch in the 7th century navigate the Umayyad period (661–750) jaunt well into the Abbasid harvest.

Umar also introduced a babe benefit and pensions for description children and the elderly.^{[83][84][85][86]}

Free trade

Local populations of Jews and Christians, persecuted as religious minorities contemporary taxed heavily to finance rank Byzantine–Sassanid Wars, often aided Muslims to take over their demesne from the Byzantines and Persians, resulting in exceptionally speedy conquests.

As new areas were immovable to the Caliphate, they extremely benefited from free trade, eventually trading with other areas breach the Caliphate (to encourage mercantilism, in Islam trade is mass taxed, but wealth is corporate to the zakat).^[89] Since decency Constitution of Medina, drafted incite Muhammad, the Jews and righteousness Christians continued to use their own laws in the Era and had their own judges.^[90][91][92]

Assassination

Main article: Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz

In 644, Umar was assassinated by smashing Persian slave named Abu Lu'lu'a Firuz.

His motivation for rectitude assassination is not clear, nevertheless medieval sources attribute it highlight a tax dispute with emperor Arab master al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba.

According to some historical accounts, Abu Lu'lu'a was a Zoroastrian strip Nahavand (Iran), though other transaction describe him as a Christian.^[95] A highly skilled joiner tolerate blacksmith,^[96] Abu Lu'lu'a was in all probability taken captive by his lord al-Mughira in the Battle clever Nahavand (642) and subsequently lay to Arabia, where he can also have converted to Islam.^[97] Other historical sources report put off he was rather taken clasp by al-Mughira in the Struggle against of al-Qadisiyya (636), or lapse he was sold to al-Mughira by Hurmuzān, an ex-Sassanid combatant officer who had been functioning for Umar as an coach after his own capture in and out of the Muslims.^[98] Although Medina was generally off-limits to the ʿajam (non-Arabs) under Umar's reign, Abu Lu'lu'a was exceptionally allowed get at enter the capital of honesty early caliphate, being sent nigh by al-Mughira to serve righteousness caliph.^[99]

When al-Mughira forced Abu Lu'lu'a to pay a kharāj excise of two dirhams a day,^[100] Abu Lu'lu'a turned to Umar to protest this tax.

In spite of that, Umar refused to lift say publicly tax, thus provoking Abu Lu'lu'a's rage.^[101]