Imam Nawawi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) has written that Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) was born 13 years after the Year of the Elephants (which is described in Surah Feel).  (Tarikh Ul Khulafa, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 43)

 

His name and Kunniyah

 

His name is “‘Umar,” Kunniyah is “Abu Hafs” and he is famous as “Farooq.” (the just).

 

His lineage is this:

 

Hadhrat ‘Umar bin Khattab bin Nufail bin ‘Abdul ‘Uzza bin Rayah bin Qarat bin Razah bin ‘Adi bin Ka’ab bin Luai.

 

Embracing Islam

 

Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) embraced Islam 3 days after Hadhrat Ameer Hamzah embraced Islam in 6th year of Prophethood (6 Nabawi). Then his age was 27 years.  (Tarikh Ul Khulafa, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 43; Al Kamil Fi Asmair Rijaal)

 

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prayed: O Allah! You grant dominance to Islam through either Abu Jahl or Umar Bin Khattab, whomever You love more.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 4045)

 

In Sunan Ibn Majah, it is mentioned that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prayed specially for Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him):

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Aisha Siddiqua (May Allah be well pleased with her), she said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) prayed: O Allah! You grant dominance to Islam by guiding ‘Umar to Islam.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 110)

 

The heavenly beings celebrated Hadhrat Umar’s embracing Islam

 

There is a Hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them), he said: When Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) embraced Islam, Hadhrat Jibreel (May peace be upon him) came to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and said: O Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), indeed the heavenly beings celebrated Hadhrat Umar’s embracing Islam.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 108)