Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab was elected as the second caliph of the Islamic community after the death of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique on 23 August 634 CE.
One of the first challenges Umar faced as caliph was the ongoing military campaigns in Iraq and Syria against the Sassanid Empire and the Byzantine Empire respectively.
In 634 CE, the Battle of Bridge was fought between the Muslims and the Sassanid Empire near the Euphrates River. The Muslim army was led by Abu Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah, and they were victorious in the battle.
In 635 CE, the Battle of Buwaib was fought between the Muslims and the Sassanid Empire in the desert between Iraq and Syria. The Muslim army was led by Khalid bin Walid, and they were victorious in the battle.
In 636 CE, the Battle of Yarmouk was fought between the Muslims and the Byzantine Empire near the Yarmouk River in Syria. The Muslim army was led by Khalid bin Walid, and they were victorious in the battle.
In 637 CE, the Muslim army under the command of Amr ibn al-As captured the city of Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire, ending their 500-year rule over the city.
During his Khilafat, Umar established several departments to govern different aspects of the Islamic state, including the Diwan al-Jund (department of military affairs), the Diwan al-Kharaj (department of finance), and the Diwan al-Barid (department of communication).
Umar also established the system of public administration, which included the appointment of governors and judges in different provinces of the Islamic state.
Umar was known for his strict adherence to justice and equality, and he famously said, “Even if a dog dies hungry on the banks of the Euphrates, I am responsible for it.”
Umar implemented several social welfare programs, including the establishment of a stipend for the poor and disabled, and the creation of a public kitchen to provide free meals to the needy.
Umar also introduced several reforms in the Islamic legal system, including the codification of Islamic law and the establishment of a formal judiciary.
In 638 CE, Umar undertook the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and established several regulations to govern the conduct of the Hajj.
In 639 CE, Umar appointed Amr ibn al-As as the governor of Egypt, which became a major center of trade and commerce under Islamic rule.
In 642 CE, the Battle of Nihawand was fought between the Muslims and the Sassanid Empire in Iran. The Muslim army was led by Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, and they were victorious in the battle, which marked the end of Sassanid rule in Iran.
Umar also laid the foundation for the Islamic calendar, which began with the Hijra (migration) of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE.
In 644 CE, Umar was assassinated by a Persian slave named Abu Lulu while leading the Fajr (morning) prayer in the mosque of Medina.
Umar’s Khilafat saw the expansion of the Islamic empire and the consolidation of Islamic rule over a large part of the Middle East.
His establishment of various departments helped to create an efficient system of governance and administration.
He also laid the foundation for the Islamic legal system and judiciary, which has had a lasting impact on Islamic law.
Umar’s social welfare programs and reforms in the legal system helped to improve the lives of the people living in the Islamic state.
During his Khilafat, Umar also emphasized the importance of education and encouraged the development of Islamic scholarship.
He established the first Islamic university in Medina, which became a center of learning and scholarship.
Umar’s Khilafat was also marked by his efforts to spread Islam beyond the Arabian Peninsula.
He sent several military expeditions to Persia, Egypt, and other regions, which helped to spread Islamic influence and establish the Islamic state.
Umar’s emphasis on justice and equality also helped to promote the values of Islam, which attracted many people to the religion.
Umar was succeeded by his close companion, Hazrat Uthman, who continued his policies and expanded the Islamic empire even further.
Umar’s legacy has had a lasting impact on Islamic history and his teachings and policies continue to inspire Muslims around the world.
His Khilafat is remembered as a period of great expansion and consolidation of Islamic rule, as well as a time of social and political reform.
Overall, Hazrat Umar’s Khilafat was a period of significant achievement and progress for the Islamic community, and his legacy continues to shape Islamic history and culture to this day.
