Umar ibn al-Khattab

Mortally wounded in November 644 in the mosque at Medina by Abu Lulua Firuz, a Persian captive, the second caliph died days later.

Overview

Umar succeeded Abu Bakr as caliph in 634 and presided over the rapid expansion of the early Islamic state, which took Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and much of Persia from the Byzantine and Sasanian empires during his rule. He organized the administration of the conquered territories, established a public treasury and the Islamic calendar dated from the Hijra. He was attacked while leading the dawn prayer in Medina by Abu Lulua Firuz, a Persian man brought to the city as a captive, who was killed or took his own life soon afterwards. Before his death Umar appointed a council of six companions to choose his successor, and they selected Uthman ibn Affan.