The lion of justice: OMAR'S TALE

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Chapter one: Meeting the Commander of the Faithful

لِقَاءُ أَمِيْرِ المُؤمِنيْن

The air was thick with chaos—the cries of the helpless and the sounds of destruction reverberated through the streets.

"The city has fallen!"

Those were the last words I heard before I fled, their echo haunting my mind. I didn’t know where I was or how I had ended up here. My body ached, my thoughts were clouded, and my heart pounded in my chest with a frantic fear. Before me stretched endless desert—sand as far as the eye could see.

I staggered forward, desperate, until I saw a lone figure riding a camel.

"Help!" I cried, my voice breaking. I ran toward him, nearly collapsing in exhaustion.

"I seek shelter and justice," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man glanced at me with steady, piercing eyes, his voice calm yet commanding.

"Then you seek the Commander of the Faithful... the one who rules with justice and mercy."

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The City of Light

المدينةُ المنوّرة

We arrived at a city called Al-Madina Al-Munawwara. The atmosphere was alive with activity, but there was an undeniable sense of peace, as if the very air was infused with the certainty of justice.

The man led me through the narrow streets, past the bustling markets, to a humble figure sitting alone on the ground. A simple staff rested beside him. The sight was so unexpected, so serene, it took me by surprise.

The man turned to me, his face breaking into a knowing smile.

"He is the one you seek."

I was still confused, so I asked, "Where are his guards and soldiers?"

The man’s smile deepened, as if amused by my question.

"They are not needed here."

With that, he turned away, leaving me to ponder his words. As he walked away I heard a gentle voice from behind me :

"Peace be upon you."

"السَّلامُ لكَ"

I returned the greeting, my voice faltering.

"And upon you be peace."

I turned back to the man sitting on the ground. The Commander of the Faithful. His eyes met mine, steady and kind.

"What do you need?" he asked, his voice warm but firm.

"Refuge and safety," I answered, my heart filled with both fear and hope.

He smiled softly, nodding.

"You have what you want."

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The Weight of Justice

The man who had brought me to the city disappeared into the crowd, leaving me to wander through the alleys. The smells of freshly baked bread, the laughter of children, and the lively chatter of merchants filled the air.

What struck me the most was how the people moved. They didn’t rush. There was a quiet dignity in every step, every glance. Their faces reflected peace, a sense of security and contentment.

As I walked, I saw a woman approach a man in the marketplace. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

"Commander of the Faithful, I have no one to care for my children."

I froze. This was him—the man who had been lying on the ground just moments ago.

His expression softened, but I noticed a brief flicker of sadness in his eyes, as though her words pierced his heart. Without hesitation, he filled a sack with flour, dates, and oil, lifting it onto his back.

"Let me carry this for you," he offered gently.

The woman hesitated, but a young man nearby stepped forward to assist. The Commander of the Faithful, however, silenced him with a single question.

"Will you carry my burden on the Day of Judgment?"

هَلْ تحمِلُ وِزْري عَنِّي يَومَ القِيامة؟

The young man stepped back, and the woman led him to her home, her children waiting eagerly.

I watched from a distance as the Commander of the Faithful knelt beside the fire, cooking with his own hands, his gentle laughter filling the room. The children's joy echoed through the small house, while the woman's eyes shone with gratitude.

How could a ruler be so humble, so caring?

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A Restless Night

As night fell, the city grew quiet. The prayers had ended, and families gathered together, but one figure remained—Umar ibn al-Khattab, wandering the streets, listening to the whispers of his people.

I lay awake, restless, unable to shake the questions swirling in my mind: Who was this man? Why was he so powerful, yet so merciful? Why was he different from the men who had destroyed my city—men who slaughtered my people and took it as their own? Didn’t they have a God to fear?

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The Truth Revealed

The next morning, I rushed to find the Commander of the Faithful.

"Peace be upon you," I greeted him, my voice filled with urgency.

"And upon you peace," he responded, his tone calm and welcoming.

I didn’t hesitate. "Why?"

He looked at me, his brow furrowing slightly.

"What is it, son?"

"Why do you care so much for your people? You serve them... but shouldn’t they serve you?" My words spilled out before I could stop them.

A smile spread across his face, and his eyes softened.

"Islam showed me the way."

I stood there, speechless, my heart racing with questions. He gestured for me to sit beside him, and we sat in silence for a moment, the weight of his presence filling the space between us.

"I was once your enemy," he said quietly, his eyes distant as if recalling a painful past.

"I thought this message was a threat to our people, to our way of life. But the truth is like the sun—it cannot be hidden forever."

His voice trembled as he spoke again.

"When I heard the verses from the Qur'an... my heart was changed. It was as if chains had been broken, and I could finally see the light."

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A New Beginning

And so began my journey with Umar ibn al-Khattab—a journey that would reshape my understanding of faith, justice, and humanity.

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TO BE CONTINUED....

As I spent more time with Umar, I began to see that his justice and humility were only a glimpse of the man he had become. To truly understand his greatness, one must look back at the beginning of his journey—when he stood as one of Islam’s fiercest opponents.

In the next chapter, I will reveal the story of Umar’s transformation—of how he embraced the light of faith, courage, and truth, a transformation that would not only change him but reshape the course of history.