Hazrat Umar (RA)

Hazrat Umar (RA) was one of the great Muslim Khalifa in history. H was also the best companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was born in a respectable Quraish family which was known for in depth knowledge of genealogy. Hence from childhood to manhood he became quite proficient in this branch of knowledge along with several other skills of swordsmanship, wrestling, and art of speaking. He chose to become a merchant like many other Arabs. The experience in trade gave him a keen insight into the affairs of men and ways to handle them. Umer (RA) personality was vibrant, self-assertive, frank and straight forward. He always spoke whatever was in his mind even if it displeased others. Because of these and many other eminent qualities he became the successor to Caliphate after Abu Bakr (RA).

Like many other Makkans, Umar was also against the spread of Islam. It enraged him so much one day that he swore to kill the Prophet. On his way he was informed that his own sister Fatima and her husband had accepted Islam too. He went straight to her house and beat her up. Her sister had been reading Quran before that. After the beatings subdued she said, “Umar (R.A), you can do what you like, but you cannot turn our hearts away from Islam.” These words had a strange effect on him and he demanded to hear what she had been reading. He was moved to the core by the words of the Qur’an and immediately grasped their truth. He went straight to the house where the Prophet was staying and vowed allegiance to him.

During his Khalifate Islamic state went through a vast expansion. Islam flourished and spread to Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and Iran. The greatness of Umar’s lied in his quality of leadership and expertness on Islamic jurist. He earned him the title Al-Faruq ("the one who distinguishes between right and wrong"). He was valiant and a strong disciplinary. Umar (R.A) gave his government an administrative structure. In a short period of 10 years he had many achievements and reforms done.

Hazrat Umar Farooq (R.A) breathed his last on 26th Dhul-Hajj, 23 Hijri. He is buried next to the side of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). 

Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA)

Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) was born in 573 A.D at Makkah in a very nobel and respectable family of Bani Tamim, a branch of Quraish. His real name was Abdullah and Abu Baqr was his patronymic name. Islam gave him the title of ‘As-Siddiq’ which meant ‘the truthful’. He was known for his honesty, truth and sincerity. Among the many esteemed qualities that he possessed, he was also the best friend of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). His profession was trade. Because of his noble character, he had many profit in trade. Being the best friend of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH); Hazrat Abu Bakr readily accepted Islam without hesitation. After accepting Islam he started preaching it secretly. Eight prominent figures accepted Islam at the hands of Hazrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (R.A.). He went to ‘Uthman, Talha, Zubair and Said (Ridwanullah 'alaihim 'Ajma'in). They accepted Islam on his preaching. Next day he went to 'Uthman bin Maz'un, Abu'Ubaidah, Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf and some other prominent Quraish, who also accepted Islam at his hands.

Many hardships fell on him when the Makkans came to know of his preaching’s about Islam. Even his noble character did not facilitate him in this matter. But the faithful servant of Allah kept on spreading Allah’s word despite the hardships and difficulties. He spent enormous money to set free Muslim slaves who were under non-Muslim masters. Hazrat Bilal (RA), a Negro, was among those whom the Abu Bakr had set free. When Holy Prophet (PBUH) decided to migrate to Madina, Abu Bakr (RA) was the only companion whom he trusted enough to migrate with. The Holy Qur'an describes it as follows: "When the disbelievers drove him out; he had no more than one companion. They were two in the cave. And he said to his companion: "Have no fear for Allah is with us". Then Allah sent down His peace upon him". (9:40)

Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) fought along with Prophet in almost all the important battles. He was brave man. On the occasion of Tabuk expedition Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) brought everything that he possessed. When the Holy Prophet asked him, "What did you leave for your family?" Abu Bakr (R.A.) said, "I have left for them Allah and his Prophet". Even Hazrat Umar (R.A.) admitted that he could never hope to surpass Abu Bakr (R.A.) in his sacrifice for the cause of Allah and Islam. After the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), he became the first khalifa. During his khalifate he had to face many hardships. It was a very sensitive time. Many people refused to pay zakat and the Eastern Roman and Persian were threatening the new born Islamic state. Under these circumstances Hazrat Abu Baqr did not lose hope and fought the situations with valor and courage. Abu Bakr died on 21 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13 A.H. (23 August 634 A.C.), at the age of sixty-three, and was buried by the side of the Holy Prophet. His caliphate had been of mere twenty-seven months duration. In this brief span, however, Abu Bakr had managed to strengthen and consolidate his community and the state, and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their existence.