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`Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz

His Status:

-            He belonged to the tabi`in (Followers: a generation that followed that of the Companions of the Prophet). As he was keen to follow the conduct of the Four Rightly-Guided Caliphs, he had the honorary title of “the Fifth Rightly-Guided Caliph”.

-            He assumed caliphate after Sulaiman bin `Abdul-Malik. He was highly praised by Muhammad bin `Ali bin Al-Husain.

His Pursuit of Knowledge:

-            Since his young age, `Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz sought knowledge and attended the councils of notable jurists and scholars.

His Assume of Caliphate:

-            He was paid homage to assume caliphate following the death of Sulaiman bin `Abdul-Malik. First, he gathered people and announced them that he did not accept the office of caliphate and that they should choose a caliph other than him. However, the people insisted on him. He then yielded to their will and accepted the office of caliphate, saying to them: “Obey me so long as I obey Allah! If I happen to disobey Allah, I will not be entitled to demand your obedience to me.”

His Justice:

-            `Umar once gathered a group of jurists and scholars and said to them: “I have called you to discuss the iniquities made by my predecessors.” They replied: “Commander of Believers! You have nothing to do with these iniquities committed before your rulership. None should bear them but those who made them.” However, `Umar was not convinced with this opinion. He rather adopted the opinion of another group, among whom was his son `Abdul-Malik, who viewed that iniquities made by former rulers should be investigated and the wronged people should be paid back their rights.

His Death:

- His short tenure lasted no more than two years and half, after which he died.