The Incident of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb’s Conversion to Islam – Research and Authentic Reality
Source: Fatāwā Muḥammadiyyah, Vol.1, p.118
The Question
A preacher narrated in a Friday sermon that when people had gathered around an idol, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه arrived. Upon his arrival, the idol recited the Kalimah, and ʿUmar رضي الله عنه immediately accepted Islam. Is this account supported by Qur’ān or Ḥadīth?
It was also mentioned that people from different local mosques (Barelwī, Deobandī, etc.) are spreading such stories, saying that even from the Ahl al-Ḥadīth platform such statements are being made. What is your opinion regarding such preachers?
The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
Authentic Account of ʿUmar’s Conversion
The story that an idol recited the Kalimah and ʿUmar رضي الله عنه accepted Islam is not found in authentic sources.
According to reliable historical accounts, ʿUmar رضي الله عنه embraced Islam as a result of the special supplication of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ prayed:
«اللهم اعز الإسلام بعمر بن هشام أو بعمر بن الخطاب»
"O Allah, strengthen Islam through ʿUmar ibn Hishām (Abū Jahl) or ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb."
In Tārīkh al-Khulafāʾ by Imām al-Suyūṭī رحمه الله, only the name of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb رضي الله عنه is mentioned with the words:
«اللهم اعز الإسلام بعمر بن الخطاب خاصة»
"O Allah, strengthen Islam specifically through ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb."
Thus, it is clear that his conversion was the direct result of the Prophet’s ﷺ duʿāʾ, not because of an idol supposedly reciting the Kalimah.
Regarding Such Preachers
Those preachers who narrate stories without proper verification or authentic references:
- Misguide the common people.
- Create doubts about the methodology of Ahl al-Ḥadīth.
- Provide material for other sects to malign Ahl al-Ḥadīth.
It is essential that scholars speak with great caution from the pulpit and only narrate that which is proven from the Qur’ān, Sunnah, and authentic historical sources.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
