Darul Arqam is the area from a short distance of Kaabah where the teachings of Islam were delivered secretly from Prophet (PBUH). The house belonged to a Sahabi named Arqam (RA) which he devoted to gather some first believers to preach Islam after the declaration of Prophethood. Because Pagan Arabs did not even ready to hear the words of Allah (SWT) delivering by Angel Jibrael (AS) to Prophet (PBUH).
As they felt the threat of dominance of true faith against idolatry, so they strictly opposed whenever they saw the preaching of Islam in Makkah. That’s why the house of Arqam was gifted for an initial education of Isla. This is a short away from Kaabah and pilgrims after proceeding Hajj through cheapest Hajj packages must visit such an incredible place where Islamic teaching started. Darul Arqam was also known as Daarul Khaizaraan because the following verse of the Holy Quran was revealed: “O Prophet, Allah is sufficient for you, and for those who follow you among the believers.” [8:64]
This was also the place where Hazrat Umar (RA) embraced Islam as he was the opponent of Islam before it. Once he (RA) was informed about the embracing of Islam from his sister and brother-in-law, so meanwhile he (RA) turned back towards their house. In a fit of fury, he (RA) knocked at the door at violently and enquired the reason for accepting Islam in a very cruel manner. When his sister told the reason by reciting the verses of the Holy Quran as decisive proof, thus Umrah (RA) changed his intention and also compelled to think the true faith. Eventually, Umar (RA) had made the final decision to take Shahadah by the hand of the Prophet (PBUH).
When Umar (RA) wanted to take his Shahadah he asked Khabbab (RA) where he would find the Prophet (PBUH). Upon hearing of his wish to embrace Islam, Khabbab (RA) said, “Umar, I have hope that Allah hath chosen thee through the prayers of His Prophet, whom yesterday I heard pray: ‘O Allah, strengthen Islam with Abu Hakam (Abu Jahal) the son of Hisham or with Umar the son of Khattab!”. “O Khabbab,” said Umar, “where will Muhammad now be, that I may go to him and enter Islam?” Khabbab (RA) told him that he was at the house of Arqam near the Safa Gate with many of his companions.
Therefore, Umar (RA) went towards Safa where Daarul Arqam was located, knocked at the door of the house, and voiced who he was. The Sahabah had been warned that he was coming but they were struck by the passive tone of his voice. One of the Sahaba went towards the door and looked through a slit and at once came back in some disappointment and said. “O Messenger of Allah! “He is certainly Umar and he is girt with his sword”. Then Hamza (RA) said “Let him come in, “if he has attended us with good intention, we will be proved a wealth of good; on the contrary, if his intent is evil, we will assassinate him with his own sword.” The Prophet (PBUH) permitted to enter in the room and, advancing to meet him, he seized him by the belt and pulled him into the middle of the room saying, “What has brought thee here, O son of Khattab? I cannot see thee ceasing until Allah sent down some mishaps upon thee”. Umar (RA) “O Messenger of Allah,” “I have come to thee that I may announce my faith in Allah, and in His Messenger and in what he has brought from Allah”. Prophet (PBUH) said, “Allahu-Akbar!” in such a way that every man and woman in the house knew that Umar had entered Islam; and they all cheered. And today, Daarul Arqam is richly visited from the pilgrims through Travel Agent in the UK to realize the initial stage of Islam.
As the bravery and valor of Umar (RA) was apparently recognized by all, and after embracing the Islam from Umar (RA) Islam got to strengthen and Muslims started to offer Salah in the open instead of hidden and the teachings of Islam were preached and spread openly.