The polytheists react to Umar’s conversion

Umar was reputed among his tribesmen for his size and temperament. Now that he was Muslim, he was determined to announce the faith to the Prophet’s foes. Who but Abu Jahl, the Prophet’s fiercest enemy, deserved to hear the news first?

Umar knocked on Abu Jahl’s door. Abu Jahl came out and greeted him, “Welcome! What brings you here?” “I have come to tell you that I have embraced the religion of Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad,” Umar calmly stated. Abu Jhal heard this thunderclap and said, “May God ruin you and what you have brought!”

Umar afterwards went to Asi bin Hashim, who hurried back into his house once he heard the news. Umar’s next stop was at the house of Jameel bin Mu’ammar Jami, who was noted for spreading sensational news. When Umar told him that he had embraced Islam, Jameel screamed, “The son of Khattab has turned faithless!”

“You lie,” siad Umar indignantly. “I have become Muslim.” The people heard Jameel’s cries, and they came running. They turned on Umar and began beating him, but he fought them off and returned home. The pagan’s, however, were not prepared to let Umar get away easily. They gathered and decided to put him to death. A huge crowd of people moved toward his house to carry out the verdict, but were met by Aas bin Wa’il Sahmi. He belonged to the Banu Sahm, a clan that had close relations with Umar’s clan, Banu Adiy.

Umar told Aas, “Your people wish to kill me.” “Impossible,” said Aas. Just then he saw the crowd milling outside and approached them. “Where are you going?” Aas asked the people. “The son of Khattab has turned faithless,” they explained. “None of these paths leads to Umar’s house,” he replied.

The mob looked at Aas, who stood before them, an important figure in his striped Yemeni robe with lace trim. They understood his veiled threat and thought it prudent to leave Umar alone and return home.