Throughout the annals of Islamic history, truth seekers have uncovered layers of deception and hidden crimes committed under the banner of false piety. Among the most heinous of these crimes is the barbaric act of burying one's own child alive, a savage practice rooted in the dark pre-Islamic era. It is with great pain, yet with unwavering duty to truth, that we reveal how Umar ibn al-Khattab, hailed by the Ahl al-Sunnah as a 'guided caliph', was himself guilty of this vile act.
Special thanks are due to our esteemed brothers at RevisitingSalaf for assisting us with authentic scans and rare references which many have tried to hide from the public eye. May Allah reward them for their service to the cause of truth.
It is often claimed by the apologists of Umar that the narrations pertaining to him burying his daughter alive are "weak." How interesting! Normally, one would not expect such narrations to cause panic — after all, it is said that these crimes occurred before Umar accepted Islam. So why, then, the extreme nervousness and desperate attempts to dismiss the reports? Are the implications truly that frightening?
Are they terrified of a reality in which a man chosen as "caliph" — supposedly the successor to the Prophet (s) — is exposed as a savage murderer of his own blood? Is the "honor" of Umar ibn al-Khattab so fragile that no sin, however historical, can be permitted to stain his fabricated image?
Is the impulsive drive to immunize him from all criticism part of a grander conspiracy to suppress the truth — namely, that he was forever unfit to lead, especially compared to the divinely designated Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him)?
We urge the reader to keep these critical questions in mind as we dissect the evidence, Insha'Allah Ta'ala.
Narration #1:
Umar ibn khattab said:
"There are two matters from the Days of Jahiliyah (before Islam) — one makes me weep and the other makes me laugh.
As for what makes me weep: I had a daughter whom I took to bury alive. I dug a pit for her, and while I was digging, she would brush the dust off my beard without knowing what I intended for her. When I remember that, I weep.
As for what makes me laugh: I used to make an idol out of dates and place it beside my head to guard me at night. When morning came and I was hungry and healthy, I would eat it. When I remember that, I laugh at myself."
Ref: Adwa Al-Bayan Fi Idhah Al-Qur'aan Bil Qur'aan. Vol9, Pg63
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Narration #2:
It is narrated that Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"O Messenger of Allah, I buried daughters alive during the Days of Ignorance."
So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Free a slave for every daughter you buried alive."
The "Maw'udah" (the buried-alive girl) refers to a daughter who was killed upon birth — a practice common among the people of Jahiliyyah out of fear of disgrace and poverty.
Ref: : Kitab Al-Majmu Sharh Al-Muhazzab Lil-Shirazi. Vol21, Pg21
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Narration #3:
It is narrated from Umar ibn al-Khattab that he said:
"O Messenger of Allah, I buried daughters alive during the Days of Ignorance."
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Free a slave for every daughter you buried alive."
This was because the Arabs in the Jahiliyyah (Age of Ignorance) used to dig a pit under the woman when labor pains struck her. As she gave birth, the child would fall into the pit.
If it was a male child, they would lift him out.
If it was a female child, they would leave her in the pit and cover her with soil until she died.
This was considered premeditated murder and required expiation (kafarah).
Ref: Al-Hawi Al-Kabeer. Fi Fiqh Madhab Al-Imam Shafi wa Huwa Sharh Mukhtasar AlMudhni. Vol13, Pg67.
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After examining these narrations, any sincere seeker of truth must ask: How can a man who engaged in infanticide — a crime so heinous that the Qur'an itself condemns it in the strongest terms — be regarded as a leader of the Muslim Ummah?
Can the one who trampled upon the most basic human compassion be seen as the standard-bearer of justice and guidance? Or is it as the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) taught — that the true legacy of Islam rests with the pure ones, not the savage pretenders of the past?
We leave the reader with their conscience, and with the everlasting words of the Qur'an:
"And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked. For what sin she was killed." (Surah At-Takwir, 81:8-9)
May Allah hasten the reappearance of the one who shall take vengeance for every innocent blood spilled — Imam al-Mahdi (ajtf).
Wassalam.