The early centuries of Islamic history were marked by intense political, religious, and sectarian upheaval. Among the most contested episodes is the assassination of the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, in 644 CE by Abu Lu'lu' al-Majusi—a Persian slave. The event is seen very differently depending on one’s religious or sectarian perspective. While the Sunni Muslim tradition overwhelmingly regards Abu Lu'lu' as a criminal and murderer, certain Shiite circles—particularly among extreme or folkloric Shiite groups—have historically commemorated him as a hero or avenger.
This article explores who Abu Lu'lu' was, the context of Umar’s assassination, and why some Shiites have regarded him as more than just a historical figure—but even a symbol of resistance or retribution.
The Historical Background
Umar ibn al-Khattab was the second Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate and played a crucial role in expanding the Islamic empire. Under his leadership, Muslim forces conquered vast territories, including much of the Sassanid Persian Empire. This led to the capture and enslavement of many Persians, some of whom were brought to Arabia as slaves, including Abu Lu'lu' (also known as Fīrūz or Fairuz), a Persian craftsman.
According to Sunni historical sources, Abu Lu'lu' held a grudge against Umar for refusing to reduce the taxes imposed on him by his master, al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba. In 644 CE, he stabbed Umar in Medina while the Caliph was leading the Fajr (dawn) prayer. Umar died a few days later from his wounds.
Abu Lu'lu' was reportedly killed shortly after the attack or committed suicide.
Sunni View: A Heinous Crime
In Sunni Islam, Umar ibn al-Khattab is revered as one of the greatest companions of the Prophet Muhammad and a rightly guided Caliph. His governance, justice, and administrative reforms are praised, and his assassination is viewed as a tragic betrayal.
Abu Lu'lu', accordingly, is seen as a murderer, a Zoroastrian heretic (Majusi), and an enemy of Islam. His actions are considered unjustified, cowardly, and politically destabilizing. For Sunnis, there is no redemption in his deed.
Shiite Perspectives: A Complex Picture
The mainstream Twelver Shiite tradition—which forms the largest branch of Shi'a Islam—does not formally canonize or endorse Abu Lu'lu' as a religious hero. However, some Shiite historians and communities, especially those in folk or popular religious settings, have remembered him as a symbolic figure of vengeance against what they perceive as injustice perpetrated against the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt).
Why would some Shiites consider him a hero?
To understand this, we must first acknowledge the profound grievances Shiites have historically had with the early Caliphate:
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Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, is considered by Shiites to be the rightful first successor to Muhammad.
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The selection of Abu Bakr, and later Umar, is seen by many Shiites as a political usurpation of Ali’s right to leadership.
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Shiite traditions hold that Umar was among those who pressured and marginalized Ali and Fatimah (the Prophet’s daughter), and some sources even cite him as being complicit in acts that led to Fatimah’s death.
Given this context, Abu Lu'lu' became, in some popular narratives, a figure of poetic justice, not merely a personal avenger but an avenger of the Prophet’s family.
The Festival of Omar Koshan
One of the most controversial aspects of this remembrance is the now mostly abandoned Shiite festival called “Omar Koshan”, which was celebrated in parts of Iran, Iraq, and the Indian subcontinent, particularly by more extreme or folkloric Shiite communities.
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The festival was typically observed around 9 Rabi’ al-Awwal, a date some associate with Umar’s death.
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Celebrants would light candles, hold mock funerals, and symbolically curse or condemn Umar and other early caliphs viewed as enemies of Ahl al-Bayt.
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In some versions of the tradition, Abu Lu'lu' was honored as a hero or martyr who stood against oppression.
It’s important to note that mainstream Shiite scholars, especially in the modern era, have distanced themselves from these practices, seeing them as inappropriate, inflammatory, and inconsistent with Islamic ethics. Figures such as Ayatollah Khamenei, Ayatollah Sistani, and other prominent clerics have spoken against public displays of sectarian hatred.
The Shrine of Abu Lu'lu' in Kashan, Iran
For many centuries, a shrine believed to be the tomb of Abu Lu'lu' stood in Kashan, Iran, despite historical evidence that he died in Medina. The shrine became a site of pilgrimage, especially for those who saw him as a hero. Some visitors prayed for justice or expressed symbolic acts of vengeance against historical injustices.
However, the shrine became a focal point of Sunni-Shiite tensions, particularly after the Islamic Revolution in 1979, as Iran began to present a more pan-Islamic identity. In the 2000s, Iranian authorities closed the shrine, citing the need to reduce sectarian provocations.
Historical or Political Symbolism?
For some Shiites, Abu Lu'lu' is less a person than a symbol—a representation of the perceived crimes committed by the early caliphate against the family of the Prophet. His image has been mythologized, and tales about him defeating jinn, building miraculous structures, or standing up against injustice abound in folklore.
But this symbolism has been deeply controversial. Sunnis often see the veneration of such a figure as offensive and provocative, leading to backlash, tension, and even violence in some areas. Scholars on both sides of the Sunni-Shia divide have generally called for more respectful, united approaches to early Islamic history, especially as the Muslim world faces modern challenges requiring intra-faith cooperation.
Modern Shiite Scholarship: A More Balanced Approach
Today, most educated Shiite scholars and institutions do not endorse the glorification of Abu Lu'lu'. They emphasize that the actions of individuals—no matter how wronged—should be judged by ethical and theological standards, and that revenge killing or assassination cannot be condoned as legitimate Islamic behavior.
Moreover, modern Shiite thinkers are more focused on the values of justice, resistance against tyranny, and devotion to the Ahl al-Bayt, rather than on historical revenge. The Shiite ethos is centered on Imam Hussain’s martyrdom at Karbala, which has a much more powerful and unifying resonance than the ambiguous legacy of Abu Lu'lu'.
Conclusion: A Divisive Legacy
Abu Lu'lu' al-Majusi occupies a deeply polarizing place in Islamic history. For the Sunni majority, he is a tragic and condemnable figure who assassinated a revered leader. For some Shiites—particularly in older, folkloric traditions—he was remembered as a symbol of vengeance and resistance to oppression. However, mainstream Shiite theology today does not endorse his veneration, recognizing the importance of unity, justice, and historical reconciliation.
The story of Abu Lu'lu' serves as a window into the early fractures of the Muslim community and how different memories of the same events can shape identities, rituals, and politics across centuries. In a time when sectarian tensions still flare, re-examining such historical episodes with scholarly integrity, empathy, and critical thinking is more important than ever.
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