Question

Why do the Shiites hate ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him?

Fatwa

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

The Prophet told ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, that whenever Satan sees him walking along a particular road, Satan runs away from it and takes another one because he fears him and the strength of his faith. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In another Hadeeth (narration) on the authority of Abu Moosaa Al-'Ash‘ari, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Prophet sat by the door to the well of 'Arees and ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, asked permission to enter, he ordered Abu Moosaa, may Allah be pleased with him, to give him permission to enter. He also brought him glad tidings that he will enter Paradise. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Therefore, because ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was held in such high esteem by the Prophet anyone who hates him or shows enmity towards him will be considered to be at war with Allah The Almighty and His Messenger. This is because he has adopted a way other than that of the believers. This is especially so since Allah The Almighty made Islam dominant at his hands and many nations embraced Islam through him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers -- We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination.} [Quran 4:115]

Nevertheless, some Shiite sects hate ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, and they even consider the Companions to be disbelievers except a few; no more than seven or nine. They harbor a special grudge against ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, out of spite and loathing for this rightly-guided Companion, because he was the person who extinguished the fire of the Magians and caused the decline of their kingdom.

Some of them even venerate Abu Lu'lu'ah Al-Majoosi, the man who murdered ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him.

And Allah knows best.