'Umar ibn al-Khattab: al-Faruq, the Second Khalifah
Brothers' Weekly, Part 2. The life of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, from the fierce opponent of Islam in Makkah to the khalifah who ruled from Egypt to Khurasan, told from the sources.
Updated 25 October 2026
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About 1 hourtime it takes'Umar ibn al-Khattab was the man the Prophet ﷺ prayed for by name, whose Islam the Companions called a victory, and whom the Prophet ﷺ called the one from whom Shaytan takes another path. He became the second khalifah of the Muslims and ruled for ten and a half years.
This part follows his life in nineteen chapters: his family and life before Islam, his acceptance of Islam, the Hijrah, the occasions when the Qur'an agreed with his opinion, the battles and treaties, the words of the Prophet ﷺ about him, his caliphate and the conquest of Syria, Jerusalem, Iraq, Persia and Egypt, the state he built, the year of famine, his justice, his way of life, and his martyrdom and burial beside the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr.
A reference follows every statement: the Qur'an by surah and ayah, hadith by collection and number, and the histories by name. Where a well-known story comes from the history books rather than authentic hadith, the text says so.
How to use it well
- 1Before Islam
His lineage, family, youth in Makkah and his hostility to the Muslims
- 2His Islam
The Prophet's ﷺ du'a, the house of his sister, and the strength his Islam brought
- 3The Hijrah
Leaving for Madinah with twenty Companions, and 'Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi'ah
- 4Agreeing with the Revelation
The maqam, the hijab, the adhan, the prisoners of Badr and the prohibition of wine
- 5With the Prophet ﷺ
Badr, Uhud, al-Hudaybiyah, Khaybar, Makkah and Tabuk
- 6In the Words of the Prophet ﷺ
The hadith about his virtues, dreams and rank
- 7The Khalifah
His appointment, the title Amir al-Mu'minin, and the conquests of Syria, Jerusalem, Iraq, Persia and Egypt
- 8Building the State
The diwan, the Hijri calendar, the land of Iraq, tarawih, the year of famine and his justice
- 9His Martyrdom
The attack at Fajr, his last days, the six, his burial and legacy
What this part covers
- His life before Islam and how he came to accept it
- The matters in which the Qur'an agreed with his opinion
- His place beside the Prophet ﷺ in the battles and treaties, and the hadith about him
- His caliphate: the conquests, Jerusalem, the plague of 'Amwas and the year of famine
- The institutions he founded, his justice, his way of life and his martyrdom
Brothers' Weekly
Part 2. Follow the path to the other parts.
How to use it
This is a long read of about an hour. Read it in two or three sittings, or a few chapters a day across the week. It works well read aloud in a halaqah. A source follows every statement, and reports from the histories are marked as reports. A new part of Brothers' Weekly comes out every Monday.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Brothers' Weekly?
A free weekly series for adult brothers from Jamia Hafs. Each part is a detailed history of one Companion of the Prophet ﷺ, released every Monday.
Is it free to print?
Yes. Download the A4 or Letter PDF and print as many copies as you need for personal use, your family or your masjid.
Where do the stories come from?
From the Qur'an, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim and the other books of hadith, and from the classical histories such as Ibn Sa'd, at-Tabari and Ibn Kathir. Every statement has its reference.
Are all the well-known stories of 'Umar included?
The well-known stories from the histories are included where they are useful, but they are marked as reports, and where a story has a weak chain the text says so.
How long did 'Umar's caliphate last?
Ten years, six months and a few days, from Jumada al-Akhirah 13 AH to the end of Dhul-Hijjah 23 AH.
Who checks the content?
Each part is sent to a qualified mufti for review, and any corrections he gives are made in the PDF.
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