Golden age of Islam
Umar RA belonged to the Adi clan. He was born in the year 583 and was younger than the Prophet (PBUH) by 12 years. Besides being a good orator, he was also well-versed in genealogy. His main occupation was business. On the other hand, he was a sworn enemy of Islam and could unflinchingly harm any Muslim.
His conversion to Islam
He was commissioned by the Quraish to kill the Prophet (PBUH). Sword in his hand, he was on way to kill the prophet (PBUH). But Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas informed him that his sister and brother-in-law had already embraced Islam. After hearing this, Umar immediately rushed towards their place and started beating them. When he cooled down, he wanted to cast a glance at the Quran and he came across the first verse of surah Taha,
‘Verily I am Allah. None has the right to be worshipped but I. So worship me and offer prayer for my remembrance.”
Being much impressed by this verse he concluded that this is surely the words of Allah. He met the Prophet (PBUH) and converted to Islam. He made Islam a be all and end all of his life. He was a highly intelligent person.
The election
Abu-Bakr consulted the shura[board] and proposed Umar to take over the office of caliphate. There was unanimity over this proposal and Umar took office in 634 AD. This is another example of democracy. He followed the footsteps of his predecessors in term of simplicity, austerity and humility. He happened to establish an ideal society, marked with an era of Golden Age. Social justice was at its height.
Empire divided into 8 provinces
He divided the Islamic empire into eight provinces. Each province was managed by a governor, who was directly accountable to the caliph. They were to meet him once a year during the period of Hajj. Being a role model for Islam, he wanted all the governors to follow his footsteps.
Iraq and Syria, which were occupied by the Persians and Byzantines respectively, represented a real danger for the new faith. Umar had to consolidate the frontier of Arabia and in this respect his army fought bravely against the two forces and won the day.
Umar caliphate lasted for 10 years. The Muslim Empire was extended. Umar was a genius, a great ruler and a good statesman with an iron will. He enforced Shariah in all matters and established the Bait-ul ma’l [treasury]. He also appointed a Diwan [exchequer] for the administration of the revenues. He patronaged education and promoted the study of the Quran.
He improved agriculture and prohibited the Arabs to purchase lands in the conquered areas in order to discourage landlordism. He was the greatest ruler of his time yet without palace and guards. He used to sleep on bed of palms. He demonstrated the highest form of socialism by treating his people fairly and with justice. He also used to carry a bag of flour on his shoulders in order to nourish the poor. Unlike the emperors of that time who lived extravagantly, Umar RA preferred simplicity and austerity. He would feed himself on bread and olive oil. Under his rule the state expenditure was done judiciously. He never mixed his personal property to that of the state. Once he received a citizen of Madinah at night and he asked him about the motive of his visit, whether it concerned the state or personal. The man replied that it was personal. So, Umar extinguished the state candle and burned his own one.
After the fall of Jerusalem, the patriarch Sophronius refused to hand over the key to the Muslims until Umar himself would collect it. Umar and his servant embarked upon this venture and from Madinah, they went to Jerusalem. On reaching Jerusalem it was the turn of the servant to be on the camel back while Umar was holding the rein. On seeing this, Patriarch Sophronius was unable to identify the caliph because he was dressed in simple robe and was indistinguishable from his servant. The patriarch offered Umar to perform prayer in the church, but he refused on the ground that in the future Muslims may use the church to perform their prayer. Such a powerful man, caliph of an empire was conscious of his accountability before Allah, as well as for his act of omission and commission. In a tradition the Prophet (PBUH) said if a ruler failed to rule fairly over his people he will be deprived of the scent of paradise.
References
History of Islam by Massud ul Hassan
History of the Arabs by K. Hitty
