Articles for Islamiyat from National and International News papers.pdf

Hazrat Umar’s (RA) full name was Umer Ibn Al-Khattab Ibn Nufayal Ibn Abdul
Uzza. He was born into the Adi clan of the Makkan Qurayash tribe thirteen years
after the year of the Elephant. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born in the
year of the Elephant itself, therefore making Umar(RA) thirteen years younger
than him. When his daughter, Hafsa, married the Prophet (SAW), Umar(RA) also
became the latter’s father-in-law. Nufayal Ibn Abdul Uzza, Umar’s grandfather, was a reputable personality of his
time, often being referred to for judgment(s) and consultation(s). Umar (RA) was
therefore brought up in the family of a wise man, in an environment of knowledge
and learning. This might have influenced him (RA) in his quest for knowledge. Certainly, Umar (RA) was amongst the very few people in pre-Islamic Arabia who
could read and write. He also had a great passion for poetry – to the extent that
there was hardly an occasion when Umar(RA) would not quote poetry about
something. Umer (RA)memorized a great number of poems, both by the poets of
ancient times and his contemporaries, and would often quote them spontaneously. This indicates that he was sharp man, with a brilliant memory. He was very
eloquent, clear in his speech, persuasive, wise and forbearing. For these reasons, the Quraysh nominated him as their ambassador, marking his eminence and
supremacy within the tribe.