Umar ibn al-Khattāb << OO mahr IHB uhn al kah TAHB >> (592?-644), was the second caliph (ruler) of the Islamic empire after the Prophet Muhammad’s death in A.D. 632. Most Muslims know the first four caliphs as the Rashidun, or rightly guided. Umar served as caliph from 634 until his death in 644.
Umar was born around 592 in the city of Mecca, in what is now Saudi Arabia. He was a member of Muhammad’s Quraysh tribe. The life and teachings of Muhammad became the basis of the religion of Islam. Umar was originally opposed to the new religion, but he later converted. He eventually became one of Islam’s strongest supporters and one of Muhammad’s closest advisers, even joining him in battle. Tradition states that three verses of the Qur’an, the sacred book of the Muslims, were revealed at Umar’s request. He married Muhammad’s daughter Hafsah in 625.
Umar had a quick temper, but he was also an intelligent and capable leader. During his rule, Umar continued Muhammad’s expansion of the Islamic state. His armies conquered the territory along the eastern Mediterranean Sea from Syria in the north to Egypt in the south and extending eastward through what is now Iraq and southwestern Iran. He also established the political and social structure that enabled the rapidly growing state to become an empire. Umar created many of the Muslim community’s defining characteristics, including the Islamic calendar; the office of judge; rules about prayer, pilgrimage, and fasting; and the diwan (a register for assigning payment to soldiers partly based on when they converted to Islam). In 644, Umar was assassinated at the height of his power.
Sunni and Shi`ite Muslims generally hold different opinions of Umar. Sunni tradition regards Umar as a model of Islamic virtue. Shi`ites, on the other hand, hold him in less admiration. Shi`ites regard Ali ibn Abi Talib as Muhammad’s rightful successor, and many resent that Umar did not accept Ali’s claim as successor. Some modern historians have presented Umar as a model democratic leader.
