The prophet had left behind a band of selfless people who dedicated themselves with singleness of purpose to the service of new religion.One of these persons was Hazrat Umar farooq (RA) who was great both in war and peace.Few persons in the history of mankind have displayed better qualities of head and heart than Umar.
        Hazrat Umar (RA) was born in Makkah in 40 before Hijra.His lineage joins that of Prophet S.A.W in the eighth generation.He was one of the seventeen literate persons of Makkah when Muhammad S.A.W became Prophet.He entered the fold of Islam at the age of 27 years.
      Hazrat Umar RA led a very simple life.His standard of living was in no case higher than an ordinary man.Once the Governor of kufa visited him while he was taking meals comprising of barley bread and olive oil.
     The Governor said,'Amirul Momineen,enough wheat is produced in your dominions.Why do you not take wheat bread?'Feeling some what offended,the caliph asked him in melancholy tone,'Do you think that wheat is available to each and every person inhibiting my vast dominions'.No, replied the Governor.Then how can I take wheat bread unless it is available to all my people'added the caliph.
    Once the envoy of the Roman Emperor set out for Madina attended by a large retinue.He wanted to meet the caliph .He enquired a passerby,Tell me please where is the palace of the caliph?'The Arab was surprised by this strange question.The envoy was escorted to the masjid of the Prophet S.A.W and to his utter astonishment,a person who was lying on the bare floor of the mosque was introduced to him as caliph Umar Farooq RA the greatest ruler of his time,whose armies held sway over the three  known continents of the world.
  A common man had an easy access to Hazrat Umar and every man was free to question his actions.Once he said,'I have no more authority over the Baith ul mal than a custodian has over the property of an orphan.If I would be well to do,I would not accept an honorarium.If not,I would draw a little to meet the ordinary necessities of life.Brothers! I am your servant and you should contrast and question my actions.One of these is that public money should neither be unnecessarily hoarded nor wasted.I must work for the welfare and properity of our people.Once a person shouted in public meeting,'O Umar!fear God'.The audience wanted to silence him but the caliph prevented them from doing so.Saying'If such frankness is not exhibited by the people,they are good for nothing and if we do not listen to them,we would be like them'.
Hazrat Umar RA was so strict in the enforcement of impartial justice that he did not spare even his near and dear ones if were at fault.Once his own son Abu Shahma was reported to have drunk wine.The caliph flogged his son with his own hands till he died and the remaining strips were delivered on his grave.The history of the world can not produce a single instance in which a state or public leader showed greater respect for justice and the rule of law.
He took particular care to emphasize that there should not be much distinction between ruler and the ruled and the  people should have an easy and free access to the highest authority of the state.Every Governor had to sign a bond on his appointment that he would put have an easy access to his presence at any time.
Hazrat Umar R.A was kind and sympathetic to the needy.Unstinted service to humanity was his foremost concern.He roamed about at night often under cover in order to acquaint himself with the condition of his people.On night as he was roaming outside Marina,he observed in a house a woman cooking something and two girls sitting beside her crying for food.After waiting for something ,he asked the woman what was the matter.She told him that the children were hungry,that there was nothing in the kettle except water and few pieces of stones and that she was
lulling them to believe that that food was being cooked for them.The caliph without disclosing his identify hurried to Marina,three miles away,brought a bag of flour and was not contended until the appetite was satisfied.The next day he called again to apologise to the old woman for his negligence and fixed the dole for her.
Honest and integrity were the highest virtues in the character of the second caliph.Once during his illness,his Physician prescribed honey for him.Tons of honey was kept in the baith ul mal but he did not take a drop of it unless he was permitted by people's committee.His wife Umme Kalsum,once presented a few bottles of perfumes to the Empress of Rome.
The empire returned the bottle filled with precious stones.When Hazrat Umar RA learned of it,hr deposited the jewels in the baith ul mal.
"It was only to his high moral character".Says a European historian,"that Umar owned the respect which he inspired for the physical force at his command was none.Umar was not only a greater ruler but also one of the most typical models of all the virtues of Islam."Tradition makes the Prophet SAW of Islam say"if God had wished that there should have been another Prophet after me,he would have been none other than Umar RA.