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The question

How can we reconcile the narration of Umar ibn al-Khattab hiding in his house after his conversion to Islam until Al-As ibn Wa'il granted him protection, with the hadith, "O Allah, strengthen Islam through Umar ibn al-Khattab"?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The conversion of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, was a source of strength for the Muslims. As 'Abdullah ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "We have remained mighty since 'Umar embraced Islam." The reason for this was that Muslims used to conceal their Islam before 'Umar's conversion. But when 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, embraced Islam, they openly declared Islam and recited the Qur'an in front of the people of disbelief.

And the narration by Ibn 'Umar, that 'Umar was fearful in his house when people gathered around it, does not contradict the attainment of might through his Islam, for three reasons:

1. 'Umar could not have confronted the entire tribe alone when they gathered around his house, but he would overcome them in other situations. 2. Might does not mean the absolute absence of fear; rather, it means that fear does not influence a person's decisions. And 'Umar did not back down from demonstrating his Islam. 3. 'Umar's might was due to his strength and standing among the chieftains of Quraysh, which was evident when Al-'As ibn Wa'il defended him.

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
29436
Imported
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Source text, unreviewed
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