Administration of the Armed Forces Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) kept the armed forces on the same pattern as was laid down by his predecessor. During his time there was a notable increase in the number of armed force not only he increased the military power of the Islamic state (Caliphate) but also connected various military units with each other. For example when Hazrat Mu’awiya (Rad.A) needed reinforcement to face the Romans. The armies in Iran and Armenia were immediately moved to Syria. Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) established a number of new cantonments at Tripoli, Cyprus, Armenia and Tabrastan. Besides the central cantonments there were a number of small cantonments as well in various districts.
He had made arrangements for breeding and raising of horses and camels large pastures were reserved for the animals used for military purposes. The pasture at Rabdhah near Medina was ten miles long and about nine miles wide. Another pasture near Medina at Darbah was six miles long. He built ponds near the pastures and house for the caretakers. Number of camels and horses had immensely increased to meet the needs of the armed forces. There was 40,000 camels in one pasture alone at Darbah the number of
288 Political and Cultural History of Islam
animals kept all over the vast Islamic state was stupendous. He took special care of military personnel and increased their allowances. The civil departments were separated from the military departments.
One of the remarkable features in the development of military power during the period of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) was the establishment of naval force. The Muslim navy was expanded and very well equipped. Amir Mu’awiya (Rad.A) played a very important role in this respect. He is the man who worked for the development of Islamic naval force under his command the first naval battle took place in the history of Islam. Administration of Public Treasury and Revenue
During the time of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) the revenue of the state was greatly increased. The Kharaj of Egypt alone was two million Dinars annually during the time of Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) but it increased to four millions annually during Usman’s (Rad.A) period. Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) used the entire public funds for the general welfare of the public. He increased the allowances given to various people and the poor. Not only this he also arranged for free distribution of food stuffs and cooked meals to the poor and disabled persons, during the month of Ramzan. He used a major part of the revenue in construction of bridges, roads, barrages, and mosques etc. He also fixed salaries for the Muazzin which had not done by Hazrat Umar (Rad.A). No Use of Force Against Civilians
Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) showed an exemplary tolerance against the insurgents. By not using force against the civil public, he set the first example of the highest democratic rule in human civilization. If studied from this point of view, it would be noted that Usman (Rad.A) was at the peak of modern democratic principles. It is unfortunate that the masses at that time were not trained for that highest form of democracy. They have had experienced in the past of the tyranny of Persian and Roman Emperors and their officers. However the base elements took advantage of Islamic democratic principles and incited some of the Muslim population against the Khalifah. Hazrat Usman (Rad.A) used all the democratic principles, now prevailing in the modern society, to satisfy the insurgents. He gave before the public, full explanation of all the allegations brought against him, and the public was fully satisfied with his explanation. He acceded to the demands of the insurgents by appointing Muhammad bin Abi Bakr as the Governor of Egypt. But he did not
Hazrat Usman (Rod. A.) 289 resign because the majority of the Muslims were in his favour and only a few were the mischief-mongers. His words ’”I do not want to spill Muslim blood to save my own neck” would be remembered for ever.5