'Umar Ibn Al-Khattab: His Life and Times-Volumes 1 & 2
By 'Ali Muhammad as-Sallabi
We are living in tumultuous times, but they are no less tumutltuous than the era of 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab, whose life began in Jahiliyah and ended in the Golden Age of Islam. We can learn much from the history of this second caliph of Islam, who was faced with unpredicedented challenges but met them successfully within the framework of shari'ah and in accordance with the true spirit of Islam.
For those who would be leaders, this book offers the model of an ideal Muslim leader, one who felt reponsible before Allah for the well being of all those under his rile, including his troops, women, infants, non-Muslims, and even animals. 'Umar was a "hands-on" leader who kept himself informed and consulted scholars and experts before every major decision.
For the rest of us, this book offers a window into an exciting and important period of Islamic history, and it also reminds of an important lesson, that our strength comes not from wealth or money or status, but from our submission to Allah and our commitment to the path of Islam.