Human hearts were emptied of strength due to fear of the Almighty and the All-Powerful. The night of oppression grew long over Gaza. So long that it spread over ten months. According to official figures, millions of innocent people have become martyred, yet the number of martyrs being reported is few. Thousands of individuals are buried under the rubble. The world is beginning to forget this war now. From five to six million people are injured. The cycle of bombing and oppression continues. The situation in refugee camps is such that every camp has changed ten to twelve locations, but everywhere the storm of bombing and oppression has not ceased. The army and government of Israel, though claiming to believe in one God, Allah, have not been willing to stop the tyranny and oppression on the children of Adam and Eve. Christian armies and their rulers are the superpowers at this time. The institutes to stop the war and the enforcement of international laws are in their hands. They also claim to believe in one God, considering Adam and Eve as the parents of humanity, yet despite seeing the flowing blood and scattered flesh in the market of oppression, they continue to turn a blind eye to oppression.

The world’s superpower was the Eastern Roman Empire. Its capital was Constantinople. The king’s name was Hercules. Most areas of Europe, Asia, and Africa were part of this superpower. Present-day regions such as Sham, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Gaza, including the Sinai Peninsula, were part of it. Muslims had conquered all these regions in just five to six years for the sake of the Prophet’s arrival. This was the era of Caliph Umar al-Farooq, and the commander of his army was Hazrat Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah. Jerusalem was an extremely sacred city. It was the city of prophets and messengers. It was the Qibla of Jews and Christians. For the past five hundred years, Christians had been ruling here. The entry of Jews was prohibited here. The superpower of the world was now reaching the hands of the people of Islam. The army chief of the Islamic world, Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah, besieged this city. The monks and bishops of Jerusalem, who were also its rulers, realized that Jerusalem’s turn had come. They requested military assistance from Hercules, but the entire Middle East was under Muslim control—how would the aid reach? The Patriarch Sophronius, being compelled, sent a message to Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah that if the Commander of the Faithful, Umar, were to come, the keys of the city would be handed over to him.

Hazrat Khalid welcomed the Commander of the Faithful Hazrat Umar in Jabiyah, and then the caravan set off towards Jerusalem. The rulers and subjects of Jerusalem had been awaiting the Commander of the Faithful for several days. The stories about the rulers that had been circulating for centuries were in their minds. In their imagination, Umar, the ruler of three continents with the status of a global superpower, wore an extremely precious and silk robe. Necklaces and gems adorned his attire, and there was a shimmer of light emanating. There would be a crown of gold decorated with diamonds and rubies shining. There would be fast horses. Comfortable saddles for the red camels. Ahead and behind would be the swords and archers. Groups of lancers and bearers of shields would be separate. The splendor of the heavens would be touched by the dignity of the sky. One day, from a distance, the caravan’s traces were visible. Gradually, the people of Jerusalem started gathering; women, children, and men filled the city’s streets. The city’s neighborhoods were bustling with people. In front of the central gate of the city, there was a field. The detachments of the Islamic forces were present here under their commanders. The Patriarch Sophronius was also present with his band of followers. His attire, the beautiful robes of his band, and his crown were worth seeing. The caravan of the Commander of the Faithful had come close. There was a rider on a camel, and a man of tall stature holding the camel’s bridle was walking ahead. The people around the one holding the bridle were focused on him. The commander and his commanders knew that the Commander of the Faithful was quite simple in nature. How sensitive he was regarding the Islamic treasury. They understood that the Commander of the Faithful and his servant approached on a camel from Madinah. On the other side, Patriarch Sophronius was perplexed and distressed about who the Commander of the Faithful was. Was it a man sitting on a camel or the one holding the bridle? Now, before the Commander of the Faithful, a clear stream of water gushed onto the stones. He removed his shoe and pressed it down with his left armpit. He raised his robe with the same hand. He held the camel by the bridle in his right hand and crossed the stream. In the meantime, the armies’ commander advanced and embraced the Commander of the Faithful. Patriarch Sophronius also moved forward, and the keys were placed on the blessed hands. He had heard stories about the simplicity of the Commander of the Faithful, but now it was beyond the truth from his imagination. The glory of the divine love was flowing. It was a river that surpassed this clear water stream. Its character was even more transparent than the clear water of this stream.

After rest, relaxation, and a meal, a visit was made to the city of Jerusalem. Hazrat Umar inquired: Which place is it from where my presence ascended to the heavens? When taken to that mountain, there was cricket rubbish thrown there. Sweeping it clear started—no orders were given, but rather a helpless gesture was presented. Who could lag behind in cleanliness now? This is the very place where now the golden Dome of the Rock is. When Hazrat Umar and the Patriarch arrived at the central church of the Christian fraternity, it was time for the afternoon prayer. The Patriarch offered for the prayers to be held in the church, but the Commander of the Faithful apologized and said: The act of praying in the church could cause conflict in the coming times; it can be changed to a mosque. The Commander of the Faithful prayed outside in an open space. This is now the Mosque of Umar. Seeing this act, Patriarch Sophronius handed over the keys of the church to Hazrat Umar. These keys were entrusted to a local Arab family, and even today, these keys are in the possession of the same family. This was the trustworthy and honorable role of the Commander of the Faithful and the people of Islam. Praise be to Allah!

When the treaty was concluded, all were granted religious freedom, including Jews and Christians. Security of life and property was guaranteed. The Christian fraternity requested: O Commander of the Faithful! The Jews could not enter here. You have now authorized them to enter, so we request not to grant them residency here. Hazrat Umar accepted their request and said, “Let them come, worship, and leave.” After the first world war, the Christian fraternity ignored this request and began settling Jewish people here. Then, in 1948, the existence of Israel was declared, and today, oppression continues in Gaza. People from all over the world are weary of protesting against it. We remind you of Hazrat Umar’s peaceful role. Where is your role in today’s civilized world?

Written By:Moulana Ameer Hamza