UMAR (Ra) (The Commander of the Faithful) 2

The rich booty from the White Palace at last reached Medina. It lay heaped in the Prophet’s Mosque. The sight of it brought tears to Umar’s eyes.
“There is nothing to weep at,” remarked one of the men standing near him.
“I weep,” said Omar, “because riches cause enmity and mutual bitterness. A nation which has these evils loses its respect.”
The booty also included the Emperor’s sword. Its handle was inlaid with jewels or rare beauty. The Caliph admired the beauty of the sword and also praised the honesty of the troops, who has kept back nothing from what had fallen into their hands.
“Commander of the Faithful,” remarked Ali, “When you yourself set a lofty example of honest, why should your people not be honest?”
It was the Prophet (PBUH) who said to Suraqah ibn Malik years before he passed “How would you be if you were wearing the choice jewels of Kisra (King of Persia)”. When the Muslims returned with the spoils of the courts of the Persian king, Umar called Suraqah to come and wear all the gold and diamonds of Kisrah reminding him of the Prophet’s words which at the time he said them seemed impossible.
Persia in Muslim Hands
After the victory of Nahawand, Omar made up his mind to put an end to the problem of Persia once and for all. The cities of Basrah and Kufa had already been founded in Iraq. They served as military bases for the Muslims. From these bases, several armies were ordered to march under different commanders to the various provinces of Iran. They completed their task of conquest in about five years. By the year 23A.H. almost the whole of Persian was part of the Islamic state.
Yezdgird continued to cause trouble for some time. He made several bids to win back power by raising armies. He even got military aid from the neighboring Turkish kingdoms. However, all his attempts failed. At last he gave up hope and fled to Transoxnia, where he was killed during the reign of Uthman.
Within ten years the Persian Empire had been completely conquered. The Persian Empire for centuries before that had extended from modern day Iran, Iraq, Northern Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and eastern Syria. Throughout their reign of hundreds of years, the Romans failed many times to conquer any part of the Persian Empire. The Muslims came backed by Almighty God and conquered them in ten years.
The Persians who did not fight were to remain on their religion, but were asked to pay a state tax. This is similar to the tax the Muslims pay, but the Muslim tax (Zakat) is a pillar of religion and since God says that
there is no compulsion in religion (Qur’an,2:256)
, the state cannot take it from non-Muslims. Instead they pay the “Jizyah” tax which protects them as members of the state. It protects their rights to life, religion, wealth, and family.
The Syrian Campaign
War with Byzantium was also going on when Umar became Caliph. In a few more days the enemy suffered a big defeat at Yarmuk. But the enemy was not going to take this defeat as a final settlement of relations with the Muslims. Byzantium was bent upon wiping out the blot of the defeat. Soon big armies were gathered at Damascus and at Fahl. The emperor of Byzantium wanted to take back what he had lost. He also wanted to teach the Muslims a lesson, which they might never forget.
The Muslim Commander, Abu Obaida wrote to the Caliph asking for instructions. Omar wrote back that he must offer a fight on both fronts. So Abu Obaida laid a siege to both the cities.
Conquest of Damascus
Damascus was the capital of Syria. Its defenses were very strong. Abu Obaida, assisted by able generals like Khalid bin Walid, Amr bin As and Yazid bin Abu Sufyan, was directing the attack. But the Byzantine forces had shut themselves up in the city, and would not come out to fight.
Khalid was constantly on the look-out for an opportunity. He hardly slept at night. One night he noticed unusual excitement inside the city. Spies brought the news that a son had been born to the Governor and people had given themselves up to drinking and merry-making.
Khalid saw his chance. He crossed the moat, in the company of a few picked men. They had strong ropes with them. With these they succeeded in climbing onto the city wall. Then they jumped down, killed the guards and threw open the gate. Up went the shout of, “God is the Greatest,” Khalid’s troops had rushed into the city!
The Byzantine commanders were taken by complete surprise. Hastily they opened the opposite gate of the city, went to Abu Obaida and begged for peace. Abu Obaida knew nothing of Khalid’s daring exploit. He readily granted them peace on easy terms.
Yazid bin Abu Sufyan was appointed governor of Damascus. He and his younger brother, Muavia, conquered the surrounding country and its towns.
Heracles Flees from Syria
The emperor of Byzantium was at Antioch when Damascus fell. Close on the heels of his defeat came the rapid fall of other important cities. Byzantine forces were being simply swept away by the advancing of Arab conquest. Constant defeats at last made the Emperor despair of Syria. He left this country for good and set off to the safety of Byzantium. “Good-bye, O fair land of Syria,” he said, with a sigh, as he stood on top of a hill. “Never again shall I set my eyes on you.”
The Strength of Islam
On reaching Byzantium, Heracles sent for a former prisoner of war. He had fallen in the hands of Muslims and had recently escaped.
“What kind of people are they?” asked the Emperor.
“O Emperor,” replied the man, “they are a wonderful people. They are fearless warriors in the daytime, but spend their nights in prayers. They do not get anything from the conquered people without paying for it. Wherever they go, they carry peace and justice with them. But if a people oppose them, they do not leave them alone until they give in.”
“If they possess such magical powers,” said the Emperor, “they are sure to conquer some day the ground under my feet.”
Conquest of Antioch and Ajnadain
The Muslims now took Alleppo. Next they marched on Antioch. This key-city was the Asiatic capital of the Emperor. It was taken without much resistance.
When Abu Obaida and Khalid were busy in Northern Syria, Yazid son of Abu Sufyan was mopping up enemy pockets in the Lebanese coastal strip. Taking Beruit, he marched up and down the entire length of the coast and occupied it.
The stronghold of Ajnadain fell next. Now it was the turn of Jerusalem. A Muslim army was already laying siege to it.
Conquest of Jerusalem
Amr bin As was laying siege to Jerusalem. After the fall of Antioch, Abu Obaida, Khalid and other Muslim generals also joined Amr. The Christians had little hope of help from Byzantium. So they decided to give in without much of a fight.
However, the Christians had some fears. They knew that other cities had given in before. In each case the victors had respected the life and property of the defeated. They had left alone their places of worship. They had allowed them to follow their own religion. But about Jerusalem the Christians were not very sure. It was as sacred to the Muslims as it was to them. Before giving in they wanted to make very sure that they would be treated well.
So the Christians put their proposal before Abu Ubaida. “We are ready to give in,” they said, “but your Caliph must come here in person and sign the treaty of peace.”
The Muslim generals met in counsel and thought over the proposal. At last they decided to accept it. “Why spill human blood” they said, “if things can be straightened out without it?”
So the Christian proposal was conveyed to the Caliph. Jerusalem could be taken without shedding a drop of blood. But for that Omar had to come all the way from Medina to Jerusalem. To this Umar readily agreed.
Umar in Jerusalem
When the citizens of Jerusalem came to know that the besieging Muslim forces has been considerably strengthened they lost heart. Finding further resistance futile, the Patriarch of Jerusalem sued for peace. He said that it was written in their holy books that the city would surrender to the man who was the best among the Muslims. He accordingly desired that the Caliph Umar (ra) should come to Jerusalem personally to receive the surrender of the city.
Abu Ubaida referred the matter to Caliph Umar at Madina. Caliph Umar called a meeting of his Consultative Council, and asked for their advice. Uthman (who later served as the third Caliph) expressed the view that it was not necessary for the Caliph to go and that the defeated Byzantines would themselves surrender. Ali (who later served as fourth Caliph) said that Jerusalem was as much sacred to the Muslims as the Jews or the Christians, and that in view of the sanctity of the place it was desirable that its surrender should be received by the Caliph personally. Caliph Umar decided to accept the advice of Ali.
Leaving Ali (ra) as his deputy in Madina, Caliph Umar proceeded to Jerusalem. No retinue accompanied the Caliph. Caliph Umar was accompanied by one servant, and between these two persons they had only one camel which they rode turn by turn. As they neared Jabia where the Muslim commanders were to meet Caliph Umar, it was the turn of the servant to ride. The servant wanted Caliph Umar to ride the animal but Caliph Umar refused. As they came to Jabia the people thought that Umar’s servant was the Caliph and were astonished to find out that it was Umar who was walking.
At Jabia the Muslim Commanders met Caliph Umar. Abu Ubaida was dressed in coarse garments, and Caliph Umar was much pleased to meet him. Yazid bin Abu Sufyan, Khalid bin Walid and some other commanders were dressed in fine clothes and Caliph Umar expressed his displeasure at their gaudy dress. Abu Ubaida explained in detail the situation in Syria. He elaborated how with the grace of God the Muslims had been able to overthrow the mighty Byzantine power in Syria. As Caliph Umar saw the green fields, orchards and lofty buildings of Syria he was greatly moved and he recited from the Holy Qur’an:
They have left many gardens, fountain, park, great cultivations, and other great worldly things which they used to enjoy. Thus it is that We put another community in possession thereof.(Qur’an 44:25-28)
A deputation from Jerusalem waited on Caliph Umar at Jabia and a treaty was drawn up. Next the Caliph signed the treaty of peace. It ran as follows:
“From the servant of God and the Commander of the Faithful, Omar: The inhabitants of Jerusalem are granted security of life and property. Their churches, crosses, and religious freedom shall be secure. This treaty applies to all people of the city. Their places of worship shall remain intact. These shall neither be taken over nor pulled down. People shall be quite free to follow their religion. They shall not be put to any trouble…”
After the treaty had been drawn up, Caliph Umar decided to travel to Jerusalem. Again he traveled in a simple way as an ordinary traveler. No guard was suffered to accompany him. He rode on a poor horse, and refused to change it for a better charger.
At the gate of Jerusalem, Caliph Umar was greeted by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the elite of the city, and the Muslim commanders. While those who had come to receive him wore costly dress, Caliph Umar was dressed in a garment of coarse cloth ordinarily worn by an average Arab. When someone advised him to wear a better dress befitting the State occasion, Caliph Umar turned down the suggestion saying that he derived his strength and status from his faith in Islam, and not from any dress. When the Patriarch of Jerusalem saw the simplicity of the Caliph of Islam, and then looked to own costly dress, he said, “Indeed Islam has excelled all other religions.”
The Patriarch of Jerusalem handed over the keys of the Jerusalem to Caliph Umar. The Muslims were now responsible for Jerusalem. That was a special divine favor of God to the Muslims. As Caliph Umar entered the city he was greeted by the citizens with great enthusiasm. The gates of the city were now opened. Umar went straight to the where the temple of Solomon was before the Christians destroyed it (Masjid-i-Aqsa). Here he said his prayer under David’s Arch.
Next he visited the biggest Christian church of the city. He was in the church when the time for the afternoon prayer came.
“You may say your prayers in the church,” said the Bishop.
“No,” replied Umar, “if I do so, the Muslims may one day make this an excuse for taking over the church from you and converting it into a mosque.”
So he said his prayers on the steps of the church. Even then, he gave the Bishop memo. It said that the steps were never to be used for congregational prayers nor was the Adhan [call to prayer] to be said there.
Caliph Umar offered special prayers of thanksgiving and Muslims joined him. As the Byzantines watched the Muslims at pray, they felt that such people so obedient to God were bound to command. The Patriarch said that he was not sorry for surrendering the city for he had surrendered it to a better people.
Caliph Umar stayed in Jerusalem for a few days. He reorganized the administration, and made the necessary arrangements to look after the needs of the citizens. He founded a Mosque at an elevated place in the city. This mosque came to be known as Umar’s Mosque. On the inaugural occasion Bilal was requested to give the call to prayer as he used to do in the time of the Holy Prophet. After the death of the Prophet (pbuh), Bilal had ceased to give the Adhan. At the request of Caliph Umar he agreed to give Adhan to mark the foundation of Umar’s mosque. As Bilal gave the call to pray in his stentorian voice, Caliph Umar and the Muslims wept recalling the days when the Prophet used to be in their midst. As the inspiring words of the Adban resounded in the hills and dales, the people stood in awe realizing that a new era had dawned in Palestine.
Umar’s Mosque
Omar wanted to build a mosque in Jerusalem. He asked the Bishop which place would be suitable for the purpose. The Bishop suggested the “Sakhra,” or the rock on which God had talked to Prophet Jacob. Here the Christians had heaped garbage to tease the Jews.
Immediately the Sakhra was cleared of the garbage. Omar himself worked like a laborer with the rest of his men. Jeruslaem, the city of Prophets, witnessed the equality of Islam. When the Sakhra had been cleared of every trace of dirt, a mosque was built on the site. The mosque stands to this day and is known as Omar’s Mosque.
The Great Plague
In the year 17-18 A.H., Iraq, Syria and Egypt found themselves in the grip of a widespread plague. The epidemic took away a great part of the population.
The Muslim army in Syria was also hit by the epidemic. So heavy was the toll taken by it that Umar himself had to go to Syria to study things. Halfway, he was received by army leaders. They implored him to keep out of the affected area. The Caliph sought the advice of leading Companions. They differed. At last Umar chose to go back. Seeing this, Abu Ubaida said “Omar, are you running away from the decree of God?” (If it is His will for you to die then you cannot hide)
“Yes,” replied Omar, “I am running away from the decree of God to the other decree of God.” (His destiny in Syria looked to be death, but by not going he will most likely live)
In the meantime Abdur Rahman bin Auf also came up. “I have heard the Messenger of God say,” he said, “‘Do not go to a place where an epidemic is raging.’”
Some days after Umar had left, Abu Ubaida died of plague. His successor, Muaaz bin Jabal met the same fat. The command now passed into the hands of Amr bin As. He at once ordered his troops to spread out on hill tops. This wise step brought the epidemic under control. But no less than twenty thousand warriors had already died. Among them were some of the topmost generals of Islam. When the epidemic was over Umar paid his last visit to Syria. The purpose of the visit was to settle on the spot many problems created by the terrible epidemic. Some miles from the city of Ela, he gave his horse to his servant and himself rode the servant’s camel.
“Where is the Commander of the Faithful” people asked the servant.
“There he goes before you!” the servant replied, pointing to the camel-rider. This amazed the people. They could hardly believe their eyes. At last they knew that Islam makes no distinction between master and servant.
During his stay in Syria, the Caliph distributed relief to families that had lost their bread-winners. New officers were appointed in place of the ones who had died.
One evening, people insisted that the Caliph should request Bilal to say the Adhan. Bilal who had never said the Adhan after the Prophet’s death, accepted Umar’s request. As he began, his melodious voice recalled to people’s minds the good old memories of the Prophet’s Mosque and all began to weep.
Umar’s Address after Jerusalm
After receiving the surrender of Jerusalem and completing the tour of Syria when Caliph Umar was returning to Madina he led the prayer at Jabiah. On this occasion he delivered an address which is preserved in history. The major part of his address was:
“O ye people I counsel you to read the Qur’an. Try to understand it and ponder over it. Imbibe the teachings of the Qur’an. Then practice what the Qur’an teaches. The Qur’an is not theoretical; it is a practical code of life. The Qur’an does not bring you the message of the Hereafter only; it is primarily intended to guide you in this life. Mold your life in accordance with the teachings of Islam for that is the way of your well being. By following any other way you will be inviting eternal ruin upon yourselves.
“Fear The One True God alone and whatever you want seek it from Him. All men are equal. Do not flatter those in authority. Do not seek favors from others. By such acts you demean yourself. And remember that you will get only that is ordained for you, and no one can give you anything against the will of God. Then why seek things from others over which they have no control? Only supplicate God for He alone is the sovereign.
“And speak the truth. Do not hesitate to say what you consider to be the truth. Say what you feel. Let your conscience be your guide. Let your intentions be good, for verily God is aware of your intentions. In your deeds your intentions count. Fear God, and fear no one else. Why fear others when you know that whatever sustenance ordained for you by God you will get under all circumstances? And again why fear when you know that death is ordained by God alone and will come only when He wills?
“God has for the time being made me your ruler. But I am one of you. No special privileges belong to ruler. I have some responsibilities to discharge, and in this I seek your cooperation. Government is a sacred trust, and it is my endeavor not to betray the trust in any way. For the fulfillment of the trust I have to be cautious and I have to be strict. I have to enforce discipline. I have to run the administration not on the basis of personal desires; I have to run it in public interest and for promoting the public good. For this we have the guidance in the Book of God. Whatever orders I issue in the course of day to day administration have to conform to the Qur’an. God has favored us with Islam. He sent to us His Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh). He has chosen us for a mission. Let us fulfill that mission. That mission is the promotion of Islam. In Islam lies our safety; if we err we are doomed.”
The Famine
In the following year there was a great famine in Hijaz. The Caliph took steps to get food supplies from Syria and Egypt. All the same, the general suffering was widespread.
Umar felt very much for his people. So much so that he swore not to touch butter or honey as long as the famine lasted.
This had a bad effect on his health. Seeing this, his servant managed to get some butter and honey with the meals on day. But Omar refused to touch them, saying, “If I do not taste suffering, how can I know the suffering of others?”
In this Famine theft of goods became widespread. In Islam God has made a stern punishment for theft so as to protect people’s wealth. The general ruling is to cut off the right hand if stealing what is worth more than about 5 Dinars or more. During the famine, Umar made a legal decision to individually judge cases to see whether the stealing was simply out starvation or if it was indeed simply theft. Those who stole, but were found to be destitute were let go and given whatever the state could give.
The Egyptian Campaign
Amr bin As was very keen to conquer Egypt from the Romans. He had been to that country and knew how green and fertile it was. In 18 A.H., when Umar visited Syria, Amr asked permission to invade Egypt. The Caliph was not very willing because the Egyptian king originally responded well to the Prophets letter, but Amr pressed his point. He convinced Umar that there were many injustices there and that it would be best for the people to have a just rule. At last Amr was allowed to march at the head of four thousand men.
Amr had not yet crossed into Egypt when he received a letter from the Caliph. It called him back. The thought that human blood would be unnecessarily spilled had made Umar change his mind. But Amr was so bent on conquering Egypt that he did not open the letter until he had crossed into that country.
The Viceroy’s Daughter Treated with Honor
Egypt was under the rule of a Viceroy of the Emperor of Byzantium. The Emperor kept a large number of troops in Egypt. The troops were under an imperial commander.
Amr bin As had his first battle with the imperial troops. The battle went on for a month. At last Amr won a victory in the end. This made further advance easy.
Continuing his march, Amr took the city of Balkis. Here lived the Viceroy’s daughter. She had been married to the Emperor’s son but had yet to leave for Byzantium. She was preparing to leave for her husband’s city. With her rich dowry she fell into Muslim hands. But Amr sent her to her father, with all her belongings. The Viceroy felt very grateful to Amr for this act of kindness.
The Viceroy Gives In
Amr now marched on to the biggest stronghold of the imperial forces. It stood on the eastern bank of the Nile. Facing it, stood the Viceroy’s palace on the western bank.
The commander of the imperial forces shut himself up in the fortress. Amr laid siege to it. The siege went on but there seemed little hope of victory. So Amr wrote to Medina and the Caliph sent a reinforcement of twelve thousand men. With it came some of the most noted veterans. One of them, Zubair, was a very strong man. He managed to climb on the wall of the fortress. After him went many more. Together they raised the shout of “Allah is Greater.” The imperial commander lost his nerve. Boats stood ready at the back of his fortress. He and his men sat in the boats and sailed off.
The shield that protected the Viceroy was now gone. So he sent men to Amr to litigate for peace. Amr kept the envoys with him for two days so that they might study the Muslim way of life. Then he sent them back with a hopeful reply.
When the envoys went back, the Viceroy asked them what kind of men the victors were.
“Our lord,” they replied, “The Muslims are a people who love death more than we love life. They love humility better than pride. Greed is unknown to them. They do not think it degrading to sit on the ground. They eat without sitting at a table. Their Commander is just one of them. There is no special mark about him. The Muslims know no distinction between the high and the low of the master and the servant. When the time for prayer comes, they all wash up and stand shoulder to shoulder, in all humility, before The Lord.”
The Viceroy was much impressed.
“Such a people,” he declared, “will overcome any power. We better make peace with them.”
So the Viceroy signed a treat of peace. By this treaty, the Muslims granted the Coptic Christians security of life and property and freedom of faith. The Coptics, on their part, joined the Muslims in their fight against imperial troops.
The treaty made the Emperor of Byzantium very angry. But the Viceroy of Egypt did not care for it. He firmly stood by the terms of the treaty and so did the Muslims. The result was that in a short time the greater part of Egypt was cleared of imperial troops.
Fall of Alexandria
Alexandria was the last stronghold of the imperial forces in Egypt. Byzantium could easily send men and supplies to Alexandria by sea. Its fall, therefore, seemed difficult.
At last Amr laid siege to the city. For six months the siege dragged on and victory seemed no nearer. This worried Omar and he wrote the following letter to Amr:
“I am afraid the Muslims have not lived up to the teachings of the Qur’an and the example of the Holy Prophet. Tell all Muslims to beware of this shortcoming. Urge them to be sincere, resilient and aggressive. Give the enemy a final blow with the help of other army leaders.”
Amr read out the Caliph’s letter to the army. These orders were at once carried out. At last Alexandria fell after a siege of a full six months.
It was midday when the messenger reached Medina with the news of victory. He did not like to disturb the Caliph at that hour of the day and sat down in the Prophet’s Mosque. But a servant told Umar of the messenger’s arrival. The Calpih ran out and said to the messenger, “Why didn’t you come straight to see me?”
“I thought,” replied the man, “you might be having a nap.”
“What a pity you thought so!” exclaimed Umar. “If I start sleeping during the day, who will look after the affairs of the State?”
The conquest of Egypt was now complete. Amr founded a city on the Nile bank and named it Fustat. In the middle of it, he built a big mosque. In the course of years, the city of Cairo grew up in the neighborhood of this city. By the year 23 A.H., Amr had pushed Muslim arms as far as west Tripoli, Libya.
Omar’s Letter to the Nile
The Coptics were Christians. But they followed a savage practice. They used to hold a big festival in the early summer each year. This was a day of general merrymaking. However, the day was also marred with human sacrifice. A beautiful maiden, dressed as a bride, was thrown into the Nile. People that that the sacrifice was necessary to please the Nile, and get a big flood of water for their parched fields. If the Nile got displeased, they thought, there would be no flood and hence no crops.
The Coptics asked Amr’s permission to sacrifice a maiden as usual. He disallowed the savage act. It so happened that the Nile had very little water that year. Crops failed. Many of the peasants decided to leave the country. Amr wrote to the Caliph for advice.
The Caliph approved Amr’s action. He also sent a letter, addressed to the Nile. It said:
“From the servant of God and Commander of the Muslims to the River of the Nile of Egypt. O Nile, if you flow of your own will, then do not flow. But if your flow is controlled by God, the Almighty, we pray to Him to keep you flowing.”
This letter was thrown into the river, as directed by the Caliph. The river overflowed its banks that year. Such a big flood had not been seen for years. The country was once again green with crops. The peasants were happy. The savage practice of human sacrifice came to an end for ever.
Umar’s Wife acts as a midwife
It was the usual practice of Caliph Umar that he would patrol the streets and suburbs of Madinah to watch out for the interests of the people, and attend to their needs. One day Caliph Umar noticed a tent pitched in an open space outside Madinah. A person was sitting outside the tent, and some one inside the tent was groaning.
Caliph Umar went to the man, greeted him, and wanted to know who he was. The man said that he was a man of the desert, and had come to Medina to wait on the Commander of the Faithful (Amirul Mominin) to seek his assistance. Umar next asked who was groaning inside the tent. The man said that his wife was groaning with labor pains; he was a stranger in Madinah and did not know what to do. Caliph Umar enquired whether he had any woman to look after the confinement of his wife. He said there was none. Caliph Umar said: “Do not worry; I will make the necessary arrangements.” Caliph Umar came home, and asked his wife Umm Kulthum to accompany him on a mission of service. Umm Kulthum got ready and took with her such things as might be needed for purposes of confinement. Caliph Umar took with him some provisions for the purposes of cooking a meal.
Caliph Umar returned to the camp with his wife. Umm Kulthum went inside the tent to attend to the women in pain, while Caliph Umar sat outside the tent with the Bedouin and began cooking some meals for him.
After an hour or so when the meals had been cooked, Umm Kulthum addressed Caliph Umar: “Oh commander of the faithful! Congratulate your guest on the birth of a son.” Hearing this the Bedouin felt much embarrassed. Turning to Caliph Umar he said, “Commander of the Faithful, Why did you not reveal your identity? You have overwhelmed me with your benevolence.” Caliph Umar put all his fears to rest saying: “That’s all right. There is nothing to worry about. Thank God, I have been of some service to you at the time of your need. You may come to me tomorrow and I will see what can be done further to help you.” It was late at night when Caliph Umar and Umm Kulthum left. The Bedouin thanked God and said: “God be praised I came to seek the Commander of the Faithful, and God send the Commander of the Faithful to seek me.”
Umar’s son marries a milkmaid
One night, Caliph Umar as usual went in disguise with his companion Ibn Abbas to see the condition of the people. They strolled from one quarter to another. At last they came to a colony where poor people lived.
While passing by a small house, the Caliph heard a whispering talk within. The mother was telling her daughter that the amount of milk fetched by her for sale that day was very little. She told her that when she was young, and used to sell milk, she always mixed water with milk, and that led to considerable profit. She advised her daughter to do the same.
The girl said, “You mixed milk when you were not a Muslim. Now that we are Muslims, we cannot alter the milk we sell.” The mother said that Islam did not stand in the way of mixing the milk for business. The daughter said, “Have you forgotten the Caliph’s order? He wants that the milk should not be adulterated.” The mother said, “But the Caliph has forgotten us. We are so poor, what else should we do but adulterate milk in order earn our bread?” The daughter said “Such a bread would not be lawful, and as a Muslim I would not do anything which is against the orders of the Caliph, and whereby other Muslims are deceived.”
The mother said, “But there is neither the Caliph nor any of his officers here to see what we do. Daughter you are still a child. Go to bed now and tomorrow I will myself mix the milk with water for you.” The girl refused to fall in with the plan of her mother. She said, “Caliph may or may not be here, but his order must be obeyed. My conscience is my Caliph. You may escape the notice of the Caliph and his officers, but how can we escape the notice of Allah and our own conscience.” Thereupon the mother remained quiet. The lamp was extinguished and the mother and the daughter went to sleep.
The next day, Caliph Umar sent a man to purchase milk from the girl. The milk was unadulterated. The girl kept her resolve. Caliph Umar turned to his companion and said, “The girl has kept her resolve in spite of the exhortation of her mother. She deserves a reward. What reward should I give her?” “She should be paid some money,” said Ibn Abbas. Caliph Umar said, “Such a girl would become a great mother. Her integrity is not to be weighed with few coins; it is to be measured in the scale of national values. I shall offer her the highest award in my gift, and which shall also be in the highest interest of the nation.”
The Caliph summoned the daughter and the mother to his court. The mother trembled as she stood before the mighty ruler. But the girl faced the Caliph boldly and with great equanimity. She was beautiful, and there was an impressive dignity about her. Then before the gathering, Caliph Umar related how he had overheard the mother and the daughter, and how in spite of the exhortations of the mother the daughter had kept her resolve.
Someone suggested that the mother should be taken to task. The Caliph said that ordinarily he would have punished the mother, but he had forgiven her for the sake of her daughter. Turning to the girl the great Caliph said, “Islam needs daughters like you and as a Caliph of Islam it entrusts me to reward you by gaining you as my own daughter.” The Caliph called his sons, and addressing them said, “Here is a gem of a girl who would make a great mother. I desire that one of you should take this girl as wife. I know of no better bride than this girl of sterling character. In matters of wedlock, it should be the character and not the stature in life that should count.”
Abdullah and Abdur Rahman the elder sons of the Caliph were already married. Asim the third son was yet unmarried and he offered to marry the girl. Thereupon with the consent of the milkmaid and her mother Asim was married to the girl, and milkmaid became the daughter-in-law of the Caliph.
From this union was born a daughter Umm Asim, who became in due course the mother of Umar bin Abdul Aziz. Umar bin AbdulAziz was elected as Caliph and served for a short period during 717 – 720.
While other Caliphs of the Ummayad dynasty reveled in luxury, Umar bin Abdul Aziz as a Caliph set up standards for austerity and simplicity following in the footsteps of Caliph Umar, the second Caliph of Islam. It is said that if ever there was a noble Caliph after the first four “Rightly guided Caliphs,”such a man was Umar bin Abdul Aziz. And he inherited the noble qualities of the milkmaid who married the Caliph’s son, and those of Caliph Umar Farooq who had the eye to discern the nobler qualities of sterling character in a poor girl.
Umar’s Death
 
There lived in Medina a Persian slave, Abu Lu’lu’ Firoz by name. One day, he came to the Calpih and said, “My master squeezes too heavy a tax out of me. Please get it reduced.”
“How much is the tax?” asked Umar.
“Two dirhams a day,” replied the slave.
“And what skills do you posses?” was the next question of the Caliph.
“I am a carpentar, a painter, and a black-smith,” Firoz said.
“Then the tax is by no means too heavy,” the Calpih remarked. “A person with your skills can easy pay this tax and shall live comfortably.”
“All right, I will settle with you,” grunted the slave as he went away.
Umar took no notice of the words.
“I have been rebuked by a slave.” he remarked with a smile.
Early next morning Omar went to the mosque as usual to lead the prayer. Abu Lu’lu’ was already hiding in the corner, with a dagger in hand. As soon as Umar began the prayer, the slave jumped on him. He gave six cuts with the dagger on the Caliph’s body. A few worshippers overpowered the assassin and he ran. Umar laying in blood took Abdur-rahman ibn awf by the foot and made him to finish leading the Prayer. When they finished, they ran after Lu’Lu’ and when they caught him he stabbed himself.
Omar kept lying in a pool of blood until the prayer was over. Then he was carried home.
“Who is my assassin?” he asked.
“Abu Lu’lu’,” said the people.
“All thanks and praises are for God!” said Omar. “It is not a Muslim who has shed my blood.”
A physician was called in to dress and treat the wounds of the Caliph. He said they were too deep to be healed. At this many people who stood around began to weep.
“Please do not weep,” implored Omar. “Have you not heard the Messenger of God say that the weeping of relatives adds to the torture of the dead person?”
Finding his end in sight, Omar called his son, Abdullah.
“My son,” he said, “go to Aisha. Give her Umar’s greetings. Do not refer to me as the Commander of the Faithful; for I am no longer one. Place before her my wish to be buried in her room, by the side of the Prophet and my illustrious predecessor.”
Abdullah found A’ishah weeping. He delivered his father’s message to her.
“I wanted to reserve this spot for my own grave, but I prefer Umar to myself,” said A’ishah.
Abdullah conveyed A’isha’s consent to his dying father.
“All praises and thanks to God!” said Omar. “This was the greatest wish of my life. But look, son, when you take my dead body to A’isha’s room, again give her my greetings and ask her permission. If she allows, bury me there, otherwise bury me in the graveyard of Medina.”
Umar sets committee to elect Khalifah
Before he passed he called his son Abdullah to gather ‘Ali, ‘Uthman, Talha, Az-Zubair, Abdur-rahman ibn awf, and Sa’d ibn Abe Waqqas. He was to assist them in choosing the next Caliph from among themselves, but that he (Abdullah) was not to be among them. This was so Islam would not become an inherited dictatorship. Immediately Abdur-rahman ibn awf withdrew himself claiming he will help Abdullah ibn Umar decide. The others followed suit except ‘Ali and ‘Uthman. The others agreed that these are the two best among them. They then held a vote among themselves and it came out three for ‘Ali and three for ‘Uthman. Then Abdullah ibn umar and abdur-rahman ibn awf went into Madinah taking a general vote. In the end they chose ‘Uthman. Because they both had many great virtues, the final logic was that the Prophet (PBUH) had married one of his daughters to Ali and had married two of his daughters to ‘Uthman hence the nickname “Thu Noorain” or Possessor of the two lights.___ Source: http://www.the-faith.com