Piruz Nahavandi

Abū Luʾluʾa Fīrūz, also known today as Bābā Shujāʿ al-Dīn, was a Persian slave who killed the second Islamic caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab in November 644.

As a highly skilled craftsman, Abu Lu'lu'a was exceptionally allowed entrance to Medina, the capital of the early caliphate which was normally off-limits to non-Arabs, to work for the caliph. Enraged by the caliph's refusal to lift a tax imposed upon him by his Arab master al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba, Abu Lu'lu'a stabbed the caliph with a double-bladed knife while the latter was praying in the mosque, leaving him mortally wounded.

Quotes

• There were Persian children slaves in Madina. Seeing them, Piruz would say, You have been enslaved at such a tender age. This Omar sees eaten my heart. I will take his heart out. He made for himself a dagger with a very sharp edge and smeared it with poison.
  • Islamic History of Khalifa Umar bin al-Khattab | Death of Umar - A Persian Stabbed Umar.
• Omar then is reported to have asked Abu Lulu: "I heard that you make windmills; make one for me as well." In a sullen mood, Piruz said, Verily I will make such a mill for you, that the whole world would remember it.
  • The History of al-Tabari - Volume 14

Quotes about Piruz

• Abu Lu’lu’ah is a disbeliever, according to the consensus of the people of Islam. He was a Magi from among the worshipers of fire, so he killed Umar out of hatred for Islam and its people, out of love for the Magi, and in revenge for the infidels, for what Omar did to them when he conquered their lands, killed their leaders, and divided their money.
  • Ibn Taymiyyah, منهاج السنة النبوية (Volume 6, Page 371)
• Firuz was one of the greatest Muslims and Mujahideen of Islam, and was considered one of the most honest and truthful followers of Amir al-Mu'minin Ali Ibn Abi Talib. It is known that Abu Lulu was one of the best Shiites of Ali.
  • Mirza Abdullah Isfahani Effendi, سفينة البحار (Volume 7, Page 559)