History - Umar's Caliphate

Everything About Umar's Rule

Qualities of Umar ibn al-Khattab

• Known for his justice and strength

• A man of knowledge and piety

• Firm in upholding the truth even if unpopular

• Some feared his strictness but Abu Bakr said, “He will be gentle when he bears the responsibility.”

Umar’s reaction when appointed the Caliph

Umar (RA) was fearful of the great responsibility.

He accepted only out of obedience to Allah and service to the people.

His humility showed that leadership in Islam is a duty, not a desire.

How long did Umar’s Caliphate last for

His caliphate lasted around 10 years

634-644 CE

Judicial and Social Reforms 

• Established the first Islamic court system and appointed judges (qadis)

• Introduced public welfare programs (stipends for the poor, widows, and children).

• Set up Bayt al Mal (public treasury) to manage state funds

• Created systems for accountability (even governors were questioned)

Administrative and Military Reforms

• Divided the empire into provinces with appointed governors.

• Established a register for soldiers and ensured fair pay.

• Built administrative centers in new regions (Kufa, Basra, Damascus).

• Introduced a lunar calendar based on Hijrah

• Oversaw peaceful governance in newly conquered lands.

Expansion Under Umar (RA)

• Islamic rule spread to Syria, Egypt, Persia, and Jerusalem.

• His armies were disciplined and humane in victory.

• When Jerusalem was conquered, Umar entered humbly, with no pride or destruction.

• He signed the Treaty of Jerusalem protecting the Christians and the Jews

Expansion was about justice not power

Umar’s leadership in his later years 

• He was known for humility and fear of Allah 

• He would patrol the streets to check on people 

• He often said, “if a person sleeps hungry under my rule, I am responsible before Allah.”

Umar’s Humility and Accountability

• He wore simple clothes, lived modestly, and refused luxuries.

• He was fearful about neglecting Allah and his people.

• He was always conscious of the Day of Judgement.

Umar’s Martyrdom (not important)

• In 644 CE, while leading Fajr prayer, Umar was attacked by Abu Lu’lu’ah, a Persian slave.

• He was wounded severely and later passed away.

• Before his death he appointed a council of six companions to choose the next Caliph through Shura

Umar was buried beside the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Abu Bakr in Masjid Al Nabawi.

(not important)

Umar’s Legacy

• Established lasting administrative systems in Islamic empire

• His reforms in justice, welfare, and governance continued under later caliphs.

• Introduced the Hijri calendar, census, and public accountability.

Remembered for his combining strength with compassion

Situation at the Start of His Rule (634 CE) (not important)

• The Muslim community had expanded beyond Arabia after the Ridda Wars.

• Umar (RA) inherited a newly unified but fragile state.

• Arabia was politically unstable and economically weak.

• Only basic administrative structures existed at the time

Rapid Territorial Expansion

Under ʿUmar’s (RA) leadership, Muslim forces conquered:

• Syria (636)

• Iraq (636–637)

• Jerusalem (637)

• Egypt (639–642)

• Parts of Persia (642–644)

This transformed the Muslim community from a regional group into a major empire.

Administrative Innovations

ʿUmar (RA) introduced several long-lasting reforms:

Dīwān system - registers for taxation, stipends, army pay

Provincial governance - governors, judges, treasury officers

Public treasury (Bayt al-Māl) - organised tax collection and spending

Military organisation - created new garrison cities: Kufa, Basra, Fustat

These structures helped the empire survive long after his rule.