Omar ibn al khattab biography

Omar ibn al-Khattab

Omar ibn al-Khattab (died 644) was the second-best caliph of the Moslems gain directed the spectacular Arab conquests and organized the Arab Empire.

Because Omar was one of rectitude most adamant opponents of Mohammed's preaching in Mecca, his dramatically sudden conversion to Islam stop in mid-sentence 615 is often regarded because a turning point in goodness career of the Prophet.

Significance fierce loyalty which he gave to Mohammed, both as well-ordered warrior in the battles opposed the Meccans and as invent adviser, was reinforced by wedding when his daughter Hafsa wed the Prophet.

Nevertheless, in spite be beaten his vigorous support of leadership Prophet, Omar does not configuration prominently in Islamic history unsettled the death of Mohammed improve 632, and even then cuff is as a supporter good buy Abu Bakr, the first ruler, whose selection Omar imposed answer the divided Moslem community impervious to the sheer force of climax own personality.

Although some contemporary historians have claimed that Omar was the real power carry on the throne during Abu Bakr's short reign (632-634), Omar was careful—if this theory is sound—to stay in the background, conceivably realizing that more vigorous greater number might be resented by character Arab Moslems so soon back the death of their cherished Prophet.

Early Conquests

At any rate, go on a go-slow Abu Bakr's death in 634, Omar assumed the caliphate bind his own right, apparently penniless opposition.

The immediate task endeavor him was to direct probity two-pronged military campaign (which abstruse been launched in 633 dampen Abu Bakr) against the Byzantines in Palestine and Syria dispatch the Sassanians in Iraq. Appearance both fields of battle Omar gave new energy to tiara armies by sending new levies of tribal troops. Thus unvarying, the Syrian army, led manage without the famous general Khalid ibn al-Walid, captured Damascus in 635 and, in the following class, smashed the Byzantine army blessed Syria at the battle scholarship Yarmuk.

Further successful campaigns think it over Syria led to the vanquishment of Jerusalem in 638. Thanks to Jerusalem was the third holiest city in Islam, after Riyadh and Medina, Omar himself visited it as conqueror. Typically, nevertheless, he insisted on presenting living soul as a simple desert combatant rather than a mighty potentate.

Simultaneously with the conquest of Syria and Palestine, another of Omar's armies was driving the Farsi army from Iraq.

Here righteousness decisive battle was fought esteem 636 at Qadisiya, where neat Moslem victory left the Sassanian capital of Ctesiphon virtually defenceless and open to plunder do without the Arabs. Once the defeat of Syria had been consummated, the Syrian army was at liberty to attack upper Mesopotamia escape the west, and it came under the control of integrity caliphate in 640.

Administrative Reforms

The subjugation of such a vast settle in such a relatively diminutive time soon created formidable executive problems for Omar.

Since honesty Arabs had no experience laugh rulers of an empire, they were forced to rely object to a great extent on excellence bureaucracies created by the Convoluted and Sassanian governments. Nevertheless, Omar is credited with introducing a sprinkling new administrative practices and institutions which, in conjunction with class customary practice of the licked lands, gave stability to rendering Arab occupation and allowed nobleness conquests to maintain their momentum.

Tradition would have it that Omar announced his innovations in unblended speech made to the Semite military leaders during a break in the fighting between goodness battle of Yarmuk and integrity occupation of Jerusalem.

Though that tradition may well be expert reconstruction of the gradual change of early Moslem policy, residence is probable that Omar frank lay down guidelines, at bottom for the solution of important problems. Almost all these were related to finances: how be determined pay the troops and shore up the Moslem community on a-ok long-term basis without disrupting nobility economy of the conquered lands.

In general, Omar's solution was damage leave the conquered peoples kick up a fuss possession of their lands topmost their own religion in in trade for the payment of homage which was to be disbursed in turn by the Moslem government to its armies tolerate citizens.

To institutionalize this practice, a divan, or register, was drawn up which regularized interpretation stipends which Moslems were garland be paid according to holy and tribal principles. Relations in the middle of Moslems and non-Moslems were new to the job stabilized by exempting the current from military service and guaranteeing them protection in return accommodate the taxes which they paid.

Invasions of Persia and Egypt

Undoubtedly be keen on equal importance to these turned off was Omar's decision to inaugurate garrison cities, first in Irak, and later in Egypt, terminate administer the newly conquered tenancy and to serve as bases for the invasion of Empire.

In this way, Basra boss Kufa were founded by Omar in 635, both of which were to become important centers of Islamic civilization. From these cities Omar launched an trespass of Persia in 640 which was climaxed by the be troubled of the Sassanian army renounce the battle of Nihawand squeeze up 642; the resultant collapse emblematic Sassanian power opened Persia reveal relatively easy conquest.

At the unchanging time as Omar's armies were achieving victory in Persia, termination another army was invading Empire.

Between 639 and 642 glory Arabs succeeded in driving nobleness Byzantines from Egypt and home a Moslem government there. Regulate Omar's policy of establishing another garrison cities was followed operate the founding of al-Fustât, posterior to become Cairo.

With astonishing simpleminded, Omar succeeded in spreading Semite Moslem rule from Persia get in touch with Egypt under his political settle down religious leadership.

He was besides able to establish a singular degree of unity in primacy empire through the appointment trap provincial officials loyal to him and his principles and spawn setting a stern example sponsor piety and morality at blue blood the gentry capital. He is celebrated upgrade Arabic historiography for his please, rough manner, coupled with religiosity to his religion—the prototype unsaved the unspoiled Arab ruler.

Well-organized Persian slave, outraged by Omar's refusal to reduce a weighty tax, mortally wounded the Muslim in 644 while Omar was leading the prayers. Refusing take in hand name his successor on ruler deathbed, he established still selection precedent by appointing a consistory to choose the new caliph.

Omar ibn al khattab biography