4 (a) Write an account of the main activities of Hazrat Umar (i) during the lifetime of the Prophet, and (ii) during his caliphate. [2 x 6] (b) What does the manner of Hazrat Umar’s death tell us about his character? [4] (O/N/06) (a) (i) • He converted to Islam when he heard a passage of the Qur’an being recited [here allow 1 mark for the basic point, and allow a further 1 mark for details, e.g. that he was on his way to kill the Prophet; that he surprised his sister and her husband hearing the Qur’an recited; that he was going to destroy this passage, but relented when he read it].

• In Makka he had a reputation as a fierce and strong fighter.
• His conversion gave courage to the Muslims in Makka.
• In Makka he proved a great help because he was able to protect the Prophet from attacks.
• He made the Hijra to Madina with the other Muslims.
• There he was always close to the Prophet in battles [allow a further 1 mark for details, such as his defending the Prophet at Uhud, and his digging the trench before Khandaq].
• His ties with the Prophet were strengthened when the Prophet married his daughter Hafsa.
• He objected to the terms of the Treaty of al-Hudaybiya because they disadvantaged the Prophet.
• He took part in the expeditions to the north that were organised towards the end of the Prophet’s life.

(ii) • He oversaw the expansion of the empire into Syria, Persia, Iraq and Egypt [allow 1 mark for the basic point, a further 1 mark for details, and an additional 1 mark for names of battles and dates].

• He personally accepted the surrender of Jerusalem [1 mark for the basic point, and a further 1 mark for details].

• The agreements he made with conquered non-Muslims formed the basis of later legislation about Dhimmis.

• He oversaw many important administrative measures [1 mark for the basic point, a further 1 mark for details such as the diwan which listed those entitled to pensions from the state, the institution of the position of judge, and a further 1 mark for full details of more than one of his measures].

(b) • `Umar was killed by his slave (Abu Lu’lu’a).

• The reason was that he refused to excuse him from paying a tax.

• This is characteristic of `Umar’s total impartiality and refusal to allow concessions even to those close to him.

• He was stern about the correct observance of all regulations [allow 1 mark for any examples that illustrate this characteristic].

• He was buried near the Prophet, which shows he was held in high honour.