The Martyrdom of Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu (Zul Hijjah/Muharram ) – Ameerul Mu’mineen passed away on the 1st Muharram 24 AH
Ameerul Mu’mineen Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu was stabbed during the end of Zul Hijjah 23AH and passed away on the 1st Muharram 24 AH
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that when Abu Lu’lu’ah attacked Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu he stabbed him twice with his spear. Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then thought that he had perhaps wronged the people in a manner that he was unaware of. He therefore sent for Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu whom he was very fond of. Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu always kept Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu in close confidence and would listen to what he had to say.
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu said to Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu, “I wish to know whether this attack was a conspiracy of the general public.” When Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu went out to investigate, he found that every group of people that he passed was weeping bitterly. He therefore returned to Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu and reported, “0 Ameerul’ Mu’mineen! I saw every group of people that I passed weeping as if they had lost their first child.” “Who was responsible for the attack?” asked Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu replied, “It was the fire-worshipper Abu Lu’lu’ah who was the slave of Mughiera bin Shu’ba Radiallahu Anhu.” The signs of happiness were then visible on the face of Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu as he said, “All praises are due to Allaah Who has not made my assassin a reciter of ‘Laa Ilaaha Ulallaah’ who could debate with me. Remember that I had prevented you people from bringing any foreign non-Muslim slaves here but you did not obey my instruction. Call my brothers here.”
When he was asked who his brothers were, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu named Hadhrat Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu , Hadhrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu, Hadhrat Talha Radiallahu Anhu, Hadhrat Zubayr Radiallahu Anhu, Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Auf Radiallahu Anhu and Hadhrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqaas Radiallahu Anhu. When these Sahabah Radiallahu Anhum were sent for, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu rested his head in the lap of his son Hadhrat Abdullaah Radiallahu Anhu, who informed him when the men had arrived. Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then said to them, “When I pondered deeply about the affairs of the Muslims, I found that you six men are the leaders of the people and the most influential. Leadership can only be amongst you and the affairs of the people will always be properly managed as long as you men remain straight. Should there arise any disputes, it would be amongst you first.”
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu related further, “When I heard my father mention disputes and division, I knew that this would soon take place even though he used the words ‘Should there arise’. This is because he seldom mentioned something that I did not see happen. He then started bleeding profusely and I noticed the six men enter into such urgent discussions that I feared they would already pledge their allegiance to one of them. I then said, ‘The Ameerul Mu’mineen is still alive! There can never be two Khalifahs staring at the faces of each other'” Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then asked them to help him up, which they did. He then said, “You men should discuss for three days, during which period Suhayb Radiallahu Anhu should lead people in salaah. ‘With whom should we consult?” the men asked. Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu replied, ”You should consult with the Muhaajireen, the Ansaar and the commander of every army present here.”
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then asked for some milk to drink but when he drank it, the milk emerged from his two wounds. When this happened, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu realised that his death was imminent. He then said, “If I possessed the entire world, I would offer it as ransom to be saved from the terror of what is to come after death. However, with the grace of Allaah, I envisage only good.”
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu commented, “May Allaah reward you with the best of rewards. Did Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam not pray that Allaah should strengthen the Deen and the Muslims through you when they were living in fear in Makkah? It was a tremendous reinforcement when you accepted Islaam, because of which Islaam, Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam and his Sahabah Radiallahu Anhu m could come out in the open. When you migrated to Madinah, your migration was a great victory and since those very early days you did not miss a single military expedition that Rasulullaah Radiallahu Anhu fought against the Mushrikeen. RasululIaah Radiallahu Anhu was pleased with you when he left’ the world, after which you advised his successor according to the pattern shown by Rasulullaah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam Using those who accepted, you struck those who were averse until people entered into Islaam willingly and unwillingly. The Khalifah of Rasulullaah Radiallahu Anhu was also happy with you when he left this world. You then assumed the role of Khalifah in the best manner that any person could do. Using you, Allaah has populated many cities, brought plenty of wealth (to the Muslims) and destroyed many enemies. In addition to this, Allaah has also used you to bring abundance into every home in terms of Deen and in terms of their sustenance. Allaah has now brought your life to an end with the great status of martyrdom. How fortunate are you not?”
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then said, “By Allaah, the one whom you manage to deceive is truly deceived. 0 Abdullaah! Will you testily on my behalf in front of Allaah on the Day of Qiyaamah?” “I certainly would,” Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas Radiallahu Anhu assured him.
Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu then praised Allaah (for having the cousin of Rasulullaah Radiallahu Anhu as a witness in his favour) and asked his son Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu to place his cheek on the ground. When Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu placed his father’s cheek on his lap instead, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu insisted that his cheek be placed directly on the ground. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu then left his father’s beard and cheek, allowing it to touch the ground. Addressing himself, Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu said, “0 Umar, our mother and you would be destroyed if Allaah does not forgive you.” He then passed away. May Allaah shower His mercy on him. After Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu had passed away, the six appointed Sahabah Radiallahu Anhum summoned Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu. However, he responded by saying that he would not come to them until they carried out the instruction of Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu to consult with the Muhaajireen, the Ansaar and the commanders of the armies present in Madinah.
When someone mentioned to Hadhrat Hasan Basri Rahmatullahi Alayhi the actions of Hadhrat Umar Radiallahu Anhu before his demise and his fear of Allaah, Hadhrat Hasan Rahmatullahi Alayhi commented, “Such is a true Mu’min. He carries out good deeds in the proper manner together with having fear for Allaah. On the other hand, the Munaafiq combines evil deeds with the false hope of being forgiven. I swear by Allaah that in times past and present I have never seen a servant of Allaah who excels in doing good deeds without excelling in his fear of Allaah. In times past and present I have also not seen any person excel in evil deeds without excelling in the false hope of being forgiven.” – Tabraani, narrating from reliable sources as conformed by Haythal’ (Vol.9 Pg.76).
