Information AboutAbu-lu'lu'ah |
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Abu-Lu'lu'ah, also known as Firoz, Feroz, Firouz, Abu-Lo'lo'a, Abu Lulu, Abu Lolo, and Baba Shuja-e-din, was a Persian Slave who assassinated the Muslim ruler, or Caliph , Umar Al-Khattab in 644 CE. Abu Lu'lu'ah is said to have been born in Persia , enslaved in Iraq , and carried off as booty by the Islamic conquerors of Iraq. Some accounts say that he was a Zoroastrian , some that he was a Christian . He was a skilled workman, a carpenter and artisan, and his owner allowed him to live in his own household in the Islamic capital of Medina . Abu Lu'lu'ah hired himself out as a carpenter, and gave two Dirham s a day to his owner in return for his limited freedom. He supported a wife and child on the rest of his earnings. One story (which may be folklore -- it is repeated on various Islamic websites without any references) goes thus: Abu Lu'lu'ah believed that he had to give too much of his wages to his owner. He approached Umar, the caliph, and begged for relief. His owner, as a Muslim, was subject to Umar; surely Umar could enforce justice. However, Umar told Abu Lu'lu'ah that he was such a skilled workman that he was sure to make a good wages; there was no need to reduce his obligation to his owner. The slave was enraged at the repulse and swore vengeance. He sharpened his knife and waited in the shadows of the Medina mosque. When Umar came to lead prayers, Abu Lu'lu'ah leaped upon him and stabbed Umar six times. He attempted to make his way out of the mosque, slashing at the bystanders as he fled, but was eventually overpowered. He turned his knife upon himself and died a suicide. This could be a Sunni Muslim version of events: it exalts Umar as a kindly, wise leader who could be expected to give justice even to a slave. The slave is a deranged murderer who takes a horrible vengeance for a minor repulse. |
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