Honoured by Sunni Muslims as the epitome of the just ruler, 'Umar, or Omar - the second Caliph - is one of the most significant figures in early Islamic history. His rule (634-44 CE) laid the foundations of an empire that has since defined, both culturally and geographically, the heartlands of the Islamic world. Shibli Numani's classic account (now revived, having been unavailable for decades), links the military conquests of the period with 'Umar's reforms in law, government and public administration. He describes the personal strengths, skills and character of 'Umar and evaluates his contribution to the ethos of Islam.  

Shibli Numani was a distinguished Urdu scholar of Arabic and Persian who was active in the latter half of the nineteenth century. He was one of the circle of Indian Muslim intellectuals who, led by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founded Aligarh Muslim University in 1875.  

Umar Ibn Al Khattab His Life & Times (2 Vols)

We are living in the tumultuous times, but they are no less tumultuous than the era of Umar ibn Al Khattab, whose life begin in Jahiliyah and ended in the Golden Age if Islam. We can lean much from the history of this second caliph of Islam, who was faced with unprecedented 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 responsible before Allah for the well being of all those under his rule, including his troops, women, infants, non-Muslim subjects 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.