بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Translation of Dr. Shams Jilani “Roshni Hira Say” (The light from Cave of Hira) by Dr. Rehan Asad
Chapter (65)
The acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Umar (RA)
Dear readers during last section we discussed that Muslims were forced to starve in outskirts of Makkah at place known as Sheeb Abi Talib. This boycott was forced by Abu Jahl and few of his followers. Finally the intervention of Husham & his friends lead the end of this forced boycott. The Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslims came back to Makkah. But the atrocities from the people of Qureysh still continued. At the same time, a miracle happened by the will of Almighty Allah and this was acceptance of Islam by Hazrat Umar (RA).
As many historians has cited that when Prophet (PBUH) get disturbed the mischiefs of enemies, he (PBUH) made a supplication with Almighty Allah, O Lord, make either Abu Hakm Al Hasham or Umar Bin Khattab the representative of Islam. And the supplications of the Prophets never get discarded in the court of Almighty Allah. Except for the one instance in the history when the supplication of Hazrat Yunus (Alihsalam) was discarded due to reasoning of Almighty Allah. But here the case was entirely different. For almost in every instance, the Almighty Allah gave the testimony of the deeds of Prophet (PBUH). This was the rare privilege provided to any of the Prophets (Peace be upon them) where Almighty Allah witness the deeds. The way this religion has been considered as the final & complete, in the same way Almighty Allah want to reflect its Prophet. That’s why completing an entire humanity on Prophet (PBUH), the Almighty Allah want to convey his message that O Muslims, not only your religion has been completed but the entire humanity has been completed with the arrival of Prophet (PBUH). The time will not able to see any other perfect human being like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He is not only the last Prophet but also the perfect human being that has been ever or will witness by human history in past & future. So the supplication of the Prophet (PBUH) was accepted in the court of Almighty Allah. In the concealed corner of Hazrat Umar (RA) heart, the acceptance towards the truth of Islam was somewhere hidden that became elaborated by Almighty Allah on the supplication of Prophet (PBUH). While the other one Abu Jahl became the fuel of hell as the light of Islam was not destined for him. The exact time for the acceptance of the Islam by Hazrat Umar (RA) is difficult to cite. Many of the historians cited this event after the migration of Muslim to Habsha. But as far as I think it was not immediately after the migration of Habsha but sometime after the event of Sheeb Abi Talib. If Hazrat Umar (RA) accepted Islam in those days then it was definite that we could find mention of him in this tough time. As we know from the biographical accounts of Hazrat Umar (RA) that during this phase we didn’t find any of his mentions either towards the Muslims or against them. Those who understand the personality of Hazrat Umar (RA) knows well that he would not stood silent in those tough days & the situation would be different. Though there was a soft corner in the heart of Hazrat Umar bin Kattab towards Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but there was also a social pressure on him. This might be the reason of his indifference towards Islam in early days. Second his tribe was more close to Abu Jahl as they were his neighbors. Between the residence of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) & Hazrat Umar (RA) tribe, the residence of Abu Jahl was located. Otherwise it would not be possible that Hazrat Umar whose residence was located on a place much higher than Kaaba would have been seen the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) visiting the Kaaba from other end. But we didn’t find any mention of Hazrat Umar before accepting Islam as we saw role of Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, & other members of Banu Ummaya. If Almighty Allah decided to give some responsibility to any human being, he will be given the similar aptitude. When it comes to the aptitude & sense of Hazrat Umar, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) gave a testimony of it. As he narrated that if any there would be any one after me who could be able to Prophet then he would be Umar. This hadith is loudly articulating the level of Hazrat Umar (RA).
Cont’d for the next week
