How did Umar (RA) get all his titles?

How did Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) get all these titles?

1. Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers)

During the caliphate of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), he was referred to as Khalifah Rasulullah — the Successor of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). When Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) became Caliph after him, people began calling him Khalifah of the Khalifah of the Messenger of Allah, meaning the Successor of Abu Bakr.

As this title became too long, two explanations have been given for how the title Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers) came into use for Umar (RA).

One version says that a man came from Iraq and asked, “Where is your leader?” The people replied, “Who do you mean?” He said, “The Amir al-Mu’minin – the Leader of the Believers.” From that moment, the title began to be used.

The second explanation is that Umar (RA) himself said, “You are the believers, and I am your Amir, so I am the Amir al-Mu’minin.”

Since then, the title has been used for the Caliphs who came after him.

2. Abu Hafs– “Father of the Lion”

Abu Hafs means “Father of the Lion.” It is said that Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was given this nickname because of his strength, bravery, and fearless nature.

One of the stories mentioned about him is that he would take hold of one ear of a horse with one hand and the other ear with the other hand, and then mount the horse without using any support. This remarkable display of power and confidence reflected his bold personality.

Because of these qualities—his physical strength, courage, and strong presence—he was given the title Abu Hafs as a mark of respect and admiration.

3. Al-Faruq– “The One Who Distinguishes (Truth from Falsehood)”

Umar (RA) was also known as Al-Farooq, a title that means the one who distinguishes right from wrong. This name was given to him after his conversion to Islam, which was a turning point in Islamic history.

Before his conversion, Umar was one of the strongest opponents of Islam. According to narration (though some scholars consider it weak), he once set out with his sword intending to kill the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. On the way, a man informed him that his own sister and her husband had secretly accepted Islam. Angered, Umar turned towards their home.

When he arrived, he found them reading the Qur’an (from Surah Ta-Ha), and in a rage, he struck his brother-in-law and then his sister. Seeing her blood made him pause, and her courageous words softened his heart. She said, “O Umar! I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and Muhammad is His Messenger!”

Shaken, Umar asked to see what they were reading. She told him to wash first, as he was not pure to touch the Qur’an. After washing, he read the verses of Surah Ta-Ha—and his heart changed. He asked where the Prophet ﷺ was, and was told he was at a house near Safa. When he arrived, the companions were cautious, but the Prophet ﷺ welcomed him. Umar declared his faith, saying:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

Soon after, Umar said to the Prophet ﷺ:
“Are we not upon the truth whether we live or die?”
The Prophet replied, “Indeed, by the One in whose hand is my soul, we are upon the truth.”
So Umar said, “Then why should we hide? Let us go out openly!”

That day, the Muslims marched to the Ka’bah in two rows—one led by Umar, and the other by Hamza (RA). The Quraysh watched in shock as the Muslims, for the first time, worshipped openly without fear. From that moment, Islam no longer remained hidden.

It was on this occasion that the Prophet ﷺ is said to have given him the title Al-Farooq, because he had distinguished between the era of secrecy and the era of strength and openness in Islam.