KHILAFAT Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) as the Second Caliph of Islam As described in connection with the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A), during his illness he consulted the ”Shura” about the next ”Khalifah” end then gave his decision in favour of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) who took the charge of Caliphate after the death of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) on 22nd of Jamadi-ul-Thani, 13 .A.H. (23rd August 634 A.D.). Umar (Rad.A) followed fully the ways of the Holy Prophet and the policy of his predecessor with his oharacteiistks, ?e&\ and vigour. It was his strict adherence to the ’ S’innah” of the Holy Prophe* which helped him to subdue the mighty Emoires of Persia and Byzantine. His Caliphate marked the ”Golden era” of Islam. I would like to discuss only main events which took place during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) in brief. Fall of Persian Empire During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A), Hazrat Khalid bin Walid conquered a part of Persian Empire, known as the Kingdom of Hira. Then he was ordered by Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) to join the expedition to Syria.3 At the time of his departure, he appointed Muthanna bin Harith as the Commander of the Islamic Arm>. The Persians became furious at the loss of the Kingdom of Hira and the Elpperar-sent a large army under the command of a ver>
1 Dr. Majid Ali Khan, P.70.
3 Sj«l Ameer Ali, A Short History of The Saracens, P 32.
Hazrat Umar (Rad. A.) 231 famous General, Rustam the Commander-in-Chief of Persian armies. In view of the growing pressure of Persians, Muthanna requested Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) for reinforcement. At the lime there was a large gathering of Muslims in Medina to take pledge of loyalty (Bai’at) at the hard of the new Caliph (Hazrat Umar (Rad.A)). He put the matter before the people (Muslims) but did not get any response in the beginning. Then Hazrat Umar (Rad.A), in his sermons stressed the importance of Jihad and a large number of Muslims volunteered to help Muthanna against the Persians. Abu Ubaid-a!-Thaqafi was appointed as the Commander of the Islamic army comprising five thousand men. In the meantime Persians attacked the places conqueied by Muslims and they lost some of them. In the early stage of the battles Rustam sent his subordinates to face Muslims. THE BATTLE OF NAMAIJQ
