Martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu): Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was stabbed towards the end of Zul Hijjah 23 A.H. and passed away on 1 st Muharram 24 A.H. at the age of 63. (Taareekhul Kulafaa pg. 136) We are generally accustomed to only hearing about the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in the beginning of Muharram. While the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was indeed a great tragedy, the martyrdom of Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was more tragic, since it opened the doors of fitnah upon the entire Ummah. In fact, the martyrdom of Sayyiduna Husain (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was as a result of this door being opened. Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the door holding back these trials from befalling this Ummah, just as a dam wall holds back water from causing untold damage.