إسلام حمزة وعمر

The Islam of Hamza and Umar

Dhul Hijjah, 6 BH (~616 CE)

Makkah مكة المكرمة

Acceptance of Islam

Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle and a fierce warrior, accepted Islam after witnessing Abu Jahl's verbal abuse of the Prophet ﷺ. Shortly after, Umar ibn al-Khattab, initially one of Islam's staunchest opponents, accepted Islam after hearing his sister Fatimah reciting Surah Ta-Ha. Both conversions dramatically strengthened the Muslim community.

Why this matters

Hamza and Umar were both men of great stature and influence. The Prophet ﷺ had prayed for one of the two 'Umars' — Umar ibn al-Khattab or Amr ibn Hisham (Abu Jahl) — to accept Islam. With these two conversions, the Muslims gained the strength to pray openly at the Ka'bah for the first time, walking in two rows with Hamza leading one and Umar leading the other.

Quran references

طه ۝ مَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ لِتَشْقَىٰٓ

Surah Ta-Ha, 1-8

Ta-Ha. We have not sent down the Quran to you to cause you distress. (The surah Umar heard being recited)

Hadith references

Jami' at-Tirmidhi, #3681

Narrated by: Ibn Umar

The Prophet ﷺ said: 'O Allah, strengthen Islam with the dearer to You of these two men: Umar ibn al-Khattab or Abu Jahl ibn Hisham.' And the dearer of them to Allah was Umar.

Key figures

Hamza ibn Abdul MuttalibUmar ibn al-KhattabFatimah bint al-Khattab

Primary sources

Jami' at-TirmidhiAr-Raheeq Al-MakhtumIbn Ishaq's Sirah