Umar Embraces Islam
Similarly, Hazrat Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه also migrated with his wife, Hazrat Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها.
Hazrat ‘Amir bin Abi Rabi‘ah رضي الله عنه also migrated with his wife.
The names of the Companions who migrated alone are as follows:
Hazrat ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf, Hazrat ‘Uthman bin Maz‘un, Hazrat Suhayl bin Bayda, Hazrat az-Zubayr bin al-‘Awwam, and Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Mas‘ud رضي الله عنهم.
When the disbelievers learned about their migration, they rushed after them in pursuit. However, by that time these Companions had already boarded a ship.
The ships belonged to merchants. In this way, these Companions succeeded in reaching Abyssinia.
After some time, they heard some false news. The news was that all the Quraysh of Makkah had become Muslims.
After receiving this information, many of the migrants in Abyssinia set out for Makkah.
When they came close to Makkah, they discovered that the information was false.
They then decided that it was not appropriate to return to Abyssinia, so they entered Makkah by obtaining the protection of one person or another.
When these migrants who had obtained protection saw that their Muslim brothers were suffering the same persecution, and even greater persecution than before, they could not bear the thought that they should remain safe from this oppression merely because they had been granted protection.
Therefore, they returned the protection they had received and said that they would face the persecution together with their brothers.
At that time, Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was firmly determined to oppose Islam.
One day, he was passing through a street in Makkah when he met a Qurayshi man.
His name was Hazrat Nu‘aym bin ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه.
At that time, he was secretly concealing his Islam out of fear of his people.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه had a sword in his hand.
He became worried and asked him what he intended to do.
He replied:
“I am going to kill Muhammad.”
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Nu‘aym رضي الله عنه said:
“First find out about your own household. Your sister and your brother-in-law have become Muslims.”
Hearing this, Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه became furious and headed toward his sister’s house.
Hazrat ‘Umar’s sister was named Fatimah, and her husband was Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنه. He was among the Asharah Mubashsharah—the ten Companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise.
He was also Hazrat ‘Umar’s paternal cousin.
On the other hand, Hazrat Sa‘id’s sister, Hazrat ‘Atikah رضي الله عنها, was the wife of Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه.
When Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه reached his sister’s door, he knocked.
Someone asked from inside:
“Who is it?”
He gave his name.
Suddenly, complete silence fell inside.
At that time, Hazrat Khabbab bin al-Aratt رضي الله عنه was teaching them the Qur’an.
He immediately hid the pages of the Qur’an.
Hazrat Fatimah رضي الله عنها got up and opened the door.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه immediately said:
“O enemy of your own soul! I have heard that you have abandoned your religion.”
At the same time, he struck her.
Blood began to flow from her body.
Seeing the blood, she said:
“‘Umar, do whatever you can. I have become a Muslim.”
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه then asked:
“What is this book you were reading? Show it to me.”
Hazrat Fatimah رضي الله عنها said:
“This book can never be given into your hands because you are impure. First perform Ghusl, and then it can be shown to you.”
Eventually, he performed Ghusl and then looked at the pages of the Qur’an.
As soon as his eyes fell upon the words Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim, awe overcame him.
Ahead was Surah Ta-Ha.
When he read its opening verses, his condition was completely transformed.
He said:
“Take me to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”
Hazrat Khabbab bin al-Aratt and Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنهما had been hiding here and there.
When they heard his words, they came out.
According to some narrations, Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنه was also beaten by Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه. This would mean that only Hazrat Khabbab bin al-Aratt رضي الله عنه had been hiding.
In any case, they came forward at this moment and said:
“O ‘Umar, receive the glad tidings! The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had prayed:
‘O Allah, grant Islam honor through one of two men: either through ‘Amr bin Hisham (Abu Jahl) or through ‘Umar bin al-Khattab.’”
According to one narration, he had said:
“Through whichever of these two is more beloved to You, grant Islam honor.”
The Prophet ﷺ made this supplication on Wednesday.
This incident took place on Thursday.
Hazrat Khabbab bin al-Aratt and Hazrat Sa‘id bin Zayd رضي الله عنهما took him to Dar al-Arqam.
They knocked on the door.
Someone asked from inside:
“Who is it?”
They replied:
“‘Umar bin al-Khattab.”
The Prophet ﷺ was informed that ‘Umar bin al-Khattab was at the door.
He said:
“Open the door. If Allah Almighty intends good for him, he will receive guidance.”
The door was opened.
Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه permitted him to enter.
Then two Companions took hold of him from his right and left and brought him before the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Leave him.”
They released Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه.
He sat before the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ took hold of the front of his shirt, pulled him toward himself, and said:
“O Ibn al-Khattab! Choose the path of guidance for the sake of Allah.”
He immediately said:
“I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah.”
As soon as the Noble Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims heard these words, they became overwhelmed with joy and proclaimed the Takbir so loudly that their voices reached every corner of Makkah.
The Prophet ﷺ struck his chest with his hand three times and said:
“O Allah, remove the impurity from ‘Umar’s heart and fill its place with faith.”
After this, Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه went to the Quraysh and informed them that he had accepted Islam.
The Quraysh gathered around him and began saying:
“Look! Even ‘Umar has abandoned his religion.”
‘Utbah bin Rabi‘ah lunged at him, but Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه lifted him and threw him to the ground.
After that, no one dared to approach him.
Then he announced:
“By Allah, from today onward, the Muslims will not worship Allah Almighty secretly.”
Upon this, the Noble Prophet ﷺ came out of Dar al-Arqam with the Muslims.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was walking ahead, holding his sword in his hand.
He continued proclaiming:
“La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur-Rasulullah.”
They continued until everyone entered the Haram.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said to the Quraysh:
“Whoever among you moves from his place, my sword will decide his fate.”