Umar: Thoughts on Leadership in Islam

Umar: Thoughts on Leadership in Islam













He is Umar ibn Al Khattab, or Al Farooq (the distinguisher), and he was so called for his shrewdness and boldness in differentiating between the good and the evil, the truth and falsehood, defending the weak and fighting the oppressor regardless of his power, political and social status, or wealth.

“If there be a prophet after me, that would be Umar ibn Al Khattab”- said the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

This is the essence of the personality of Umar ibn Al Khattab, the second in order in the chain of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and a great leader in the history of Islam, succeeding Caliph Abu Bakr (632–634).

Umar was not only a successful leader and statesman who looked after the affairs of Muslims, he was also an expert jurist who was most prominent for his justice.

He as also a skilled warrior of exemplary armed experience. Under his leadership, the Islamic empire expanded widely reaching far and wide.

 

RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM

Umar ibn Al-Khattab has been known for his explicit respect and reverence of human  dignity and freedom, and such conception has been demonstrated through his acts, words and stances from several historic situations that took place during his era.

Such prominent characteristic of Umar was best exemplified in his famous statement” "Since when have you turned people into slaves, while they are born free of their mothers?"

This famous quote refers to a situation wherein the son of Amr ibn Al A’s joined some Copt Christian in a horse race, son of Amr abused the Christian guy- on hearing this, Umar ibn Al Khattab made the Copt punish the son of Amr publicly, addressing Amr and his son, saying that famous statement above.

 

WISDOM AND STRENGTH

Umar's leadership and political approach was a clear embodiment of the teachings and guidance of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, being a notable companion of his, who kept close to him throughout his life and fully grasped the spirit and the essence of his message and guidance, that is the religion of Islam which the Prophet, pbuh, was sent by Almighty Allah to spread and deliver to humanity.

In a letter sent to Abu Musa Ash'ari, a well-known companion of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and a notable figure in the history of early Muslims who was once appointed as a governor of Basra and Kufa and took part in a number of conquests of Persia, Umar wrote saying:

"People generally hate their ruler, and I seek protection of Allah, if my people should have similar feelings about me. Avoid vain suspicions and keep away from malice, and don not encourage people to attach to vain hopes, and be careful of Allah's property. Guard yourself against evil men. If you find any people who are maliciously inclined towards the Muslim state, it is devilish inclination and must be put down by the sword, until they bow to Allah's decision and turn to better ways".

 

REVERED BY ALL

Umar, besides his respect for human rights, dignity and freedoms, was strong, firm and just. He was respected by all, and this respect earned him the renowned position he claimed among his subjects.

Sudaysa reports that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Wherever Satan encountered Umar since the latter embraced Islam, he fells on his face.”
 

And in another Hadith, narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet, pbuh, said: “I see Satanic jinns and people flee from Umar.”

Evil souls, of humankind and Jinns, hate strong and just figures, let alont those who are God fearing and pious.