How did ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab accept Islam?
One day , Omar left his house, sword in hand, with the intention of killing the Prophet [pbuh] . He was in a fit of anger and was fretting and fuming. Nu‘aim bin ‘Abdullah, a friend of ‘Umar’s, met him accidentally half way. What had caused so much excitement in him and on whom was the fury to burst, he inquired casually. ‘Umar said furiously: “To destroy the man Muhammad ([pbuh]) this apostate, who has shattered the unity of Quraish, picked holes in their religion, found folly with their wise men and blasphemed their gods.” “‘Umar, I am sure, your soul has deceived you, do you think that Banu ‘Abd Munaf would let you walk on earth if you slain Muhammad [pbuh]? Why don’t you take care of your own family first and set them right?”
“Which of the folk of my house?” asked ‘Umar angrily. “Your brother-in-law and your sister have apostatized (meaning to say: They have become followers of Muhammad [pbuh]) and abandoned your religion.”
‘Umar directed his footsteps to his sister’s house. As he drew near, he heard the voice of Khabbab bin Aratt, who was reading the Qur’anic Chapter TA HA to both of them. Khabbab, perceiving the noise of his footsteps retired to a closet. Fatimah, ‘Umar’s sister, took hold of the leaf and hid it. But ‘Umar had already heard the voice. “What sound was that I have heard just now?” shouted the son of Khattab, entering angrily. Both his sister and her husband replied, “You heard nothing.” “Nay,” said he swearing fiercely, “I have heard that you have apostatized.” He plunged forward towards his brother-in-law and beat him severely, but Fatimah rushed to the rescue of her husband. Thereupon, ‘Umar fell upon his sister and struck upon her head. The husband and wife could not contain themselves and cried aloud: “Yes, we are Muslims, we believe in Allah and His Messenger Muhammad [pbuh] so do what you will.” When ‘Umar saw the face of his dear sister besmeared with blood, he was softened and said: “Let me see what you were reading, so that I may see what Muhammad [pbuh] has brought.” Fatimah was satisfied with the assurance, but said: “O brother, you are unclean on account of your idolatry, none but the pure may touch it. So go and wash first.” He did so, and took the page and read the opening verses of the Chapter Ta Ha until he reached:
“Verily! I am Allah! La ilaha illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me and offer prayers perfectly, for My Remembrance.” [Al- Qur’an 20:14].
‘Umar read the verses with great interest and was much entranced with them. “How excellent it is, and how graceful! Please guide me to Muhammad [pbuh] .” said he. And when he heard that, Khabbab came out of concealment and said, “O ‘Umar, I hope that Allah has answered the prayer of the Prophet [pbuh] , for I heard him say: ‘O Allah! Strengthen Islam through either ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab or Abu Jahl bin Hisham.’”
‘Umar then left for the house Al-Arqam in Safa where Muhammad [pbuh] had been holding secret meetings along with his Companions. ‘Umar reached that place with the sword swinging by his arm. He knocked at the door. The Companions of the Prophet [pbuh] turned to see who the intruder was. One of them peeped through a chink in the door and reeled back exclaiming: “It is ‘Umar with his sword.” Hamzah, dispelling the fears of his friends, said: “Let him in. As a friend he is welcome. As a foe, he will have his head cut off with his own sword.” The Prophet [pbuh] asked his Companions to open the door. In came the son of Khattab. The Prophet [pbuh] advanced to receive the dreadful visitor, caught him by his garment and scabbard, and asked him the reason of his visit. At that ‘Umar replied: “O Messenger of Allah [pbuh] , I come to you in order to believe in Allah and his Messenger and that which he has brought from his Lord.” Filled with delight, Muhammad [pbuh] together with his Companions, cried aloud: Allahu Akbar!.
May Allah be pleased with Al-Farooq
