Tribe: Umar (ra) belonged to the “adi family of the Quraish tribe.
Birth: He was born in 583 AC about 40 years before the great hijrah. In his youth he was a great wrestler, orator and a spirited person.
Education: He was among the few people in Mecca who knew reading and writing before Islam.
Occupation: His main occupation was business.
Umars acceptance of Islam: During the 6th year of the prophets mission when the Quraish leaders called a meeting and ask for a volunteer for the assassination of the Prophet (saw) Umar offered himself for this job. While on his way with a sword in his hand he met Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas who asked of him and about his destination. Umar told him he was going to murder the Prophet (saw). After some discussion Sa’d said you had better take care of your own family first. Your sister and brother in law have accepted Islam. Hearing this Umar changed his direction and went straight to his sister’s house. When Umar knocked on the door they were studying the Holy Quran from Khabbab. His sister Fatimah was frightened on hearing Umars voice tried to hide the portion of the Quran she was reciting.
When Umar entered the house he enquired about their Islam and on finding that they had accepted Islam he first fell upon his brother in law and beat him severely. When his sister stepped in to help he smote her so violently on her face she it bled profusely. ON this his sister burst out “DO whatever you like, we are determined to die as Muslims”
When Umar saw his sister bleeding he cooled down and felt ashamed. He loved Fatimah very much but could not tolerate her conversion to Islam, However deeply moved Umar asked her to show the pages on which the Holy Quran was written. But she was after all Umar s sister and told him straight “You cannot touch this unless you have a bath and make yourself clean. He washed
