Caliph Omar (Umar ibn al-Khattab), the second Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate

Caliph Omar (Umar ibn al-Khattab), the second Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate, was assassinated in 644 CE (23 AH) in Medina. He was stabbed while leading the Fajr (dawn) prayer at the Prophet's Mosque by a Persian slave named Abu Lu'lu'a (also known as Fīrūz). ### **Why Was He Assassinated?** - **Motive:** The motive behind the assassination is not entirely clear, but it is believed that Abu Lu'lu'a was motivated by personal grievances. He was a slave of al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba, and he was allegedly upset over a tax imposed on him by his master, which Umar had upheld. Some accounts also suggest that Abu Lu'lu'a was influenced by anti-Islamic sentiments, as he was of Persian origin and may have been resentful of the Muslim conquest of Persia. ### **How Did He Die?** - **Attack:** During the prayer, Abu Lu'lu'a attacked Umar with a dagger, stabbing him multiple times. Umar was severely wounded but managed to appoint a council of six men to choose his successor before he died three days later from his wounds. ### **Where Did He Die?** - **Location:** Umar died in Medina, the city where he had led the Muslim community as Caliph. He was buried next to the Prophet Muhammad and the first Caliph, Abu Bakr, in the Prophet's Mosque.