عشر سنوات من الخلافة

Umar was caliph for about ten years (13-23 after the Hijra, 634-644). Under him the lands of Islam grew from Arabia to Syria, Egypt and Iraq. When Jerusalem was handed over to him, he is reported to have entered it humbly and given its people a written guarantee of security for their lives, churches and property.

He also set up offices to organise the state and pay salaries, and the Hijri calendar began under him, counting from the Hijra. He was struck while leading the dawn prayer and died a martyr.

Lesson: a ruler's greatness is measured by the safety of the people under his care.