User:Striver/Hadith of Umar's battles

Umar was present at battle of Badr in 2 AH, Uhud in 3 AH, Khaybar in 7 AH, and the raid on Syria, as well as many other engagements.

Abu Qatada says: "The Muslims took to flight. I was also among them. Suddenly I saw Umar ibn Khattab among those who were running away. I asked him: 'What has happened?' He said: 'It is the will of Allah.'"(Sahih Bukhari Vol. 3, p. 45.)

Umar was one of the fugitives of the battle of Uhud (Baladhuri). He himself said later: "When Muslim were defeated in Uhud, I ran toward the mountain." (Suyuti in al-Durr al-Manthoor).

At the siege of Khyber, Umar made an attempt to capture the fortress but failed.

Umar was one of the fugitives of the battle of Hunayn. Abu Qatada, a companion of the Prophet, says: "In Hunayn when the Muslims were fleeing, I also fled, and I saw Umar with others." (Bukhari and Kitabul-Maghazi).

In 8 A.H. the Apostle sent Umar as a ranker with many others to report for duty to Amr bin Aas, their commanding officer, in the campaign of Dhat es-Salasil.

In 11 A.H. the Apostle of God organized the Syrian expedition and he appointed Usama bin Zayd bin Haritha as its general. He ordered Umar to serve as a ranker in the expedition.

Though Umar spent eighteen years in the company of Muhammad Mustafa, the Messenger of God, the latter never appointed him to any position of authority – civil or military.

http://al-islam.org/restatement/57.htm

Shi'as do not see him as a valiant man at all even though he was strong. They contend that he was a coward and argue that there are scarce reports of Umar hurting anyone or even getting hurt in any battle. In fact, he was notorious for not entering combat. When the battle of Uhud went awry and rumors of Muhammad's death started, Umar fled the battle, ran to a hill and discouraged people from entering battle again, arguing that there was no point fighting since Muhammad was dead. In the Battle of the Trench, he did not accept Amr's challenge. Also, at Khaybar, Umar did not direct his troops against the fortress. In all three cases, Ali did the opposite.

An-Nawawi said: 'Umar attended, along with the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, all of the battles, and he was one of those who stood firm beside him on the Day of Uhud.