How did Hz. Umar attain a distinguished rank among the Companions though he became a Muslim late (six years after the emergence of Islam)?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Along with receiving the prayer of the Prophet, Hz. Umar attained a distinguished rank among the Companions due to having superior personal characteristics like righteousness and justice, and making sacrifices to serve Islam.   

When Umar came to kill the Messenger of Allah, he held Umar’s collars and said,  

"O Ibn Khattab! Be a Muslim. O Allah! Give him guidance!"

Umar uttered kalima ash-shahadah at once and declared that he believed. (Ibn Sa'd, Tabaqatul-Kubra, II/268-269; Usdul-Ghaba, IV/148-149; Suyuti, Tarikhul-Khulafa, Beirut 1986, 124 ff)

Some of his characteristics and some information about him are as follows: 

According to the narrations, Hz. Umar became a Muslim as a result of the following prayer of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):

"O Allah! Elevate Islam with Umar b. al-Khattab or Amr b. Hisham (Abu Jahl)." (Ibnul-Hajar al-Asqalani, al-Isaba fi Tamyizis-Sahaba, Baghdad n.d., II/518; Ibn Sa'd, ibid; Suyuti, ibid, 125).

According to a hadith Tabari reported from Ibn Abbas, the first person to declare openly that he became a Muslim was Hz. Umar (r.a) olmuştur. (Suyuti, ibid, 129)

Hz. Umar took part in all incidents that affected the elevation of Islam during the period of Madinah. Hz. Umar was one of the first people the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) consulted when he made important decisions. His views were so pointed that some verses were sent down in accordance with what he had indicated. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) expressed this state of Umar’s as follows:   

"Allah realized the truth based on the tongue and heart of Umar." (Usdul-Ghaba, IV/151)

Hz. Umar is known to adopt a clear and uncompromising attitude toward issues. His enmity against unbelief and his sensitivity about not being able to accept the attacks of the polytheists on Islam caused him to oppose some decisions severely. However, when the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) warned him that he did nothing but to fulfill Allah’s orders and instructions, he came round and realized the inner nature of the incidents.

Hz. Umar played an important role in eliminating the disorder that occurred immediately after the death of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) with the election of Hz. Abu Bakr as the caliph. The greatest helper of Hz. Abu Bakr during his short caliphate was Hz. Umar.

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