عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ

From opponent to defender 'Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭaab was a strong and feared man of Mecca. At first, he opposed Islam. The books of siira tell that one day he set out in anger and heard the beginning of Surah Ṭaa-Haa being recited at the home of his sister Faaṭima and her husband; his heart was touched and he went to announce his conversion to the Prophet ﷺ [À VÉRIFIER : récit de la sîra, détails et source]. 'Abd Allaah ibn Mas'uud used to say: "We have been strong ever since 'Umar became Muslim" (Bukhari 3684).

"Al-Faaruuq" 'Umar is called al-Faaruuq: the one who clearly separates truth from falsehood [À VÉRIFIER : origine du surnom]. He was not afraid to speak the truth. The Prophet ﷺ once said to him: "Whenever Satan meets you on a path, he takes a path other than yours" (Bukhari 3683, Muslim 2396).

An inspired heart The Prophet ﷺ said: "Among the communities before you there were inspired people (muḥaddathuun); if there is one in my community, it is 'Umar" (Bukhari 3689, Muslim 2398). 'Umar himself said: "I found myself in agreement with my Lord on three things": taking the station of Ibraahiim as a place of prayer (2:125), the veil of the Prophet's ﷺ wives, and a warning addressed to these wives; each time, a verse came down in line with his view (Bukhari 402). He took no pride in it: he said it to show Allah's kindness.

Solid faith and knowledge The Prophet ﷺ saw in a dream people wearing shirts, some short, others longer; 'Umar wore a shirt so long that he was dragging it. He was asked: "How do you interpret it?" He answered: "The religion" (Bukhari 23, Muslim 2390).

The just caliph After Abu Bakr, 'Umar was caliph for about ten years [À VÉRIFIER : dates]. Islam spread widely, and 'Umar organised the state: the setting up of the Hijri calendar and of a register for paying people their dues is attributed to him [À VÉRIFIER : attributions]. He was hard on himself and gentle with the weak. He felt responsible for every person, as the Prophet ﷺ taught: "Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock" (Bukhari 893, Muslim 1829). Many famous stories show him making rounds at night to see who needed help; they come from history books and need to be checked one by one [À VÉRIFIER : récits des rondes de nuit].

A martyr's end 'Umar used to ask Allah to die as a martyr in the city of the Prophet ﷺ [À VÉRIFIER : source de l'invocation]. He was stabbed while leading the dawn prayer. Before dying, he asked for news of the Muslims, chose six Companions to appoint the next caliph, and sent his son to ask 'Aa'isha for permission to be buried next to the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr; she agreed (Bukhari 3700). He is buried next to his two companions.

Understanding the lesson

Explanation 'Umar's story shows that a person can change completely. The man who opposed Islam became one of its greatest defenders: no one is too far away to be guided. His strength did not disappear when he became Muslim: it changed direction. It became courage to speak the truth, firmness against injustice and seriousness in his responsibility. The hadiths about 'Umar (inspiration, the shirt of religion, Satan changing path) show the reward of a sincere heart: Allah guided him to sound views. Finally, 'Umar, caliph of an immense territory, saw himself as a shepherd responsible for everyone. Power, for him, was a burden before Allah, not a privilege.

Lessons to draw from it • Never decide that someone will not change: pray for people instead of rejecting them. • Put your strength (physical, intellectual, social) in the service of good. • Dare to speak the truth, respectfully, even when it is difficult. • Feel responsible for those who depend on you: younger brothers and sisters, friends, team. • Be demanding with yourself and gentle with others.

Key points to remember • "We have been strong ever since 'Umar became Muslim" (Bukhari 3684). • Al-Faaruuq: the one who separates truth from falsehood. • Inspired (muḥaddath): Bukhari 3689, Muslim 2398; in agreement with his Lord on three things (Bukhari 402). • "Each of you is a shepherd" (Bukhari 893, Muslim 1829). • Died a martyr during the dawn prayer, buried next to the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr (Bukhari 3700).

The main message 'Umar teaches us to put our strength in the service of truth and justice, feeling responsible before Allah for those around us.

The text: Surah An-Nisaa' (4), verse 135 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 4:135]

Meaning: "O you who believe! Stand firm for justice, as witnesses for Allah, even against yourselves, your parents or your relatives. Whether it concerns someone rich or poor, Allah has more right over them both. So do not follow your desires, lest you turn away from justice. If you distort your testimony or refuse to give it, Allah is fully aware of what you do." This verse sums up the ideal of justice that 'Umar sought to live.

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.