عمر بن الخطاب

'Umar (RA)

'Umar ibn al-Khattab

Also known as: Umar, al-Faruq

c. 40 BH – 23 AH · c. 584–644 CE

Companions

The second caliph, al-Faruq, under whom the Muslim state expanded and its institutions took shape.

'Umar was a fierce opponent of Islam until his conversion around the sixth year of prophethood, after which Muslims could pray openly at the Ka'bah. The Prophet ﷺ called him al-Faruq, the one who distinguishes truth from falsehood.

As the second caliph (13–23 AH), he oversaw the opening of Syria, Iraq, Egypt and Persia, and received the keys of Jerusalem. He founded the garrison cities of Kufa and Basra, set up the diwan (state registry), and adopted the Hijrah as the start of the Islamic calendar. He was assassinated while leading the dawn prayer in Madinah.

Open on the map →

Places in their life