Caliph Umar and Jerusalem
During the period of the Second Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab, the Muslim forces, under the command of Abu Ubaydah, laid siege to Jerusalem after capturing Damascus in the Battle of Yarmuk. Six months into the siege, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sophronius, stated that he would negotiate only with Caliph Umar and that no Muslims could enter Jerusalem before Caliph Umar. On hearing this Caliph Umar informed his general Abu Ubaydah that he was on his way.
Accompanied by a servant, Caliph Umar rode on camelback to Jerusalem from Medina. The two travelled alone, although they could have been accompanied by an entourage that could have made the ground tremble under the hooves of their horses. The servant and the Caliph took turns, one riding, while the other walked alongside. Umar’s intent was to show simplicity and emphasize that Allah alone deserves all the glory.
On reaching Jerusalem, it was the servant’s turn to ride the camel. However, as a mark of respect and to ensure that the waiting people actually see Caliph Umar, the servant wanted the Caliph to ride the camel. The Caliph Umar refused and insisted the servant take his turn as it was his right. Thus, he entered Jerusalem on foot while the servant rode the camel to the shock and surprise of everyone including Patriarch Sophronius. Caliph Umar continued the journey into the city on foot carrying his shoes in hand under the astonished gaze of the people. The Muslims who saw this scene recited the short prayers that refer to Allah’s absolute greatness and uniqueness.
Caliph Umar walked to the Sophronius’ army wearing modest threadbare clothes. The Christians ho watched everything from the walls of Jerusalem were amazed at Umar’s humble nature. They could hardly believe that this simple man could be commander of such a powerful army and ruler of the expanding ‘Muslim Empire’. The Patriarch, seeing these surprising events unfold, said to his people that nobody in the world would be able to stand up to these people and hence advised them to surrender.
Important negotiations between Umar and Sophronius followed, as a result of which, a famous treaty called 'Umariyya Covenant” was concluded. This treaty is still preserved in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. On his part, Umar offered members of all faiths safety in Jerusalem and protection for their beliefs and their holy places, forbidding them to be desecrated or destroyed.
While Umar was still inside Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Muslim prayer time commenced and the Patriarch invited him to pray inside the Church. However, Caliph Umar declined, fearing it might establish a precedent that would threaten the church's continued use as a Christian house of worship. Instead, he prayed in an area outside the church, a site where a small ‘Mosque of Umar’ was built that stands till today.
 | Caliph Umar thus showed the world the meaning of tolerance and generosity in victory and strength. It was the greatness of Islam that shone in his spirit and was reflected in ethics of the man known for his firmness and courage. Under Caliph Umar’s generous rule, those who wanted to leave Jerusalem were allowed to do so with all their possessions while others who opted to stay were guaranteed protection for their lives, property and places of worship. |
Notably, Umar also reversed the 400-year Christian ban on Jews, allowed them to return to Jerusalem, and granted Christians free use of their holy sites . Thus, he returned Jerusalem to a city where Jews, Christians, and Muslims lived in tolerance, peace and harmony.
Throughout the Muslim rule of Jerusalem, from 637 to 1917, except for two relatively short periods, Jerusalem maintained its rightful title of 'The Holy City' – a city that prospered in peace and tranquillity.
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