Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Freedom of Opinion
Freedom of opinion was not only \llowed at the time of meeting of the ”Shura” but on all occasion 3. As a mattir of fact Hazrat Umar’s (Rad.A) period was an exemplary period as far as this principle of the democratic ’”’ay of government is concerned. There is no other example in history when people gave their opinion so freely, and criticised the ruler vi.e. t’ie Government^ «o openly. The Caliph had himself introduced this pnnciple, nov. 1 in those days, through his address. A part of one of his address is quoted as under:
”O people! I am but a trustee of your property and wealth, like a person who is trustee of the property and wealth of an orphan child. Had ! been rich I would not have taken any allowance for my services. In case I needed I would have accepted only to the extent of the need. Friends! you have certain rights over me and you are fully allowed to claim your rights anytime. One of such rights is Don’t allow me to misappropriate the Indemnity tax and booty. You have the right to check that the poor, the needy and disabled person amongst you should get allowances for their livelihood. You have the rvht 1 -ake sure that the borders of the stale are sa’e and that you are not n danger.
Once a person in a pubJc meeting stood up and said, ”O Umar, fear Allah”. The audience tried to stop him but Hazrat Umar said, ’Let him say, he is free to give his opinion. If people do not give their opinion they are useless and if we (the rulers) do not listen to them, we are useless”. Not only the men but women too enjoyed the freedom of opinion. Once Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) was suggesting the quantity of dowry to be fixed at the time of Nikah (Marriage) which was not in accordance with Islamic principle. A veiled lady immediately stood up and said’ ’’O Umar, fear Allah”. Hearing this Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) realised his mistake and accepted her objection. It was this freedom of thought and opinion which paved the way to Hazrat Umar’s success. He was a stern ruler as far as implementation of law was concerned but at the same time he vas just, and democratic, a true follower of Islamic democracy in which
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every person has freedom of opinion within the limits of ”Shariah” (Divine Law), i.e., under the sovereignty of Allah ?nd the authority of His Law. He acted upon the principle of equality and brotherhood of mankind on one side and justice and truthfulness on the other. Not only the Muslims but the non-Muslims were also free to express their opinion. He made no discrimination between Muslims and nonMuslims in matter of justice, human rights and fair play. Provincial Administration
Hazrat Umar was an outstanding model for the succeeding Muslim rulers in administration. ”During the thirty years that the Republic lasted”, says Ameer Ali, ”the policy derived its character chiefly from both during his life-time and after his death”.
Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) divided the whole Islamic Khilafat (i e., Islamic State into various provinces each with a capital). The following were, the provinces and their governois in 23 A.H., i.e., near the end of Hazrat Umar’s Caliphate.
1.
2.
3.
Governor Nafi bin Abu Harith.
Governor
Governor
Mu’awiya Sufyan.
Abu Musa Ash’ari.
Mughirah Shu’bah.
bin Abu
bin
bin
Governor Amr bin al-A’s.
Hijaz with Makkah as its capital;
Syria with Damascus as
its capital;
Iran with Basrah as its Governor
capital;
Iraq with Kufa as its capital;
Egypt with Fustat as its
capital;
Palestine with Jerusalem Governor Alqamah bin Majsz.
as its
Jazira (i.e. Mesopotamia) with Hims (Horns)
as its controlling capital; Governor Umair bin Sa’d.
The Central province of Arabia with Medina as its capital.
The capital of the state was also Medina. The title of the provincial Governor was ”Wali”, who was the chief administrator and generally the supreme commander of the armed forces of rhat province. In each province there were usually following officers besides the Governor: The Treasury Officer (Sahib-i Baitul-Mal); the Revenue Collector (Sahib-i-Kharaj); the chief police officer (Sahib-i-
6
7.
8.

248
Political and Cultural History of Islam

Hazrat Umar (Rod. A.)
249
Ahdath); the Judge (al-Qazi). In those provinces where the governor was not holding the office of the commander of armed forces, a separate commander was apoointed. Foi example, in the beginning in Kufa, Hazrat Amar ibn Yasir (Rad.A) was the ”Wali” (the Governor), Usman ibn Han if (Rad.A) was the revenue collector. Abdullah ibn Masud was rhe treasury officer, Shuraih was the Judge and Khazai was Secretary of Defence (i.e., Diwan). Usually the officers were appointed after consultation with the ”Shura”.
The provinces were divided into districts. Each district was> administered by an officer cal»ed ’Amir’ All the governors and the high officers of the province were called to Makkah every- year on the occasion of Hajj when Muslims from the entire area gathered there. Complaints against them were recorded by the Khalifnh. Enquires were made and grievances were removed. All the officers were paid high salaries so that they may not indulge in bribery and. corruption.
The Khallfah was the Religious Head of the State
hot only the khahfah and the Governors were also great scholars of Islam. They were all administrative officers, theologians, jurists and pious. The Khalifah himself was the overall religious head of the state. He used to lead five limes compulsory salats and jurna’s salat in the Holy Prophet’s Mosque at Medina, and also the Eid salats at the Musalla for ”Eid” in Medina. At time of Hajj he was the leader of Hajj and in his absence a person was appointed by him as his deputy, in religious matters he used w give his verdict based upon the ”Shari’ah. In case of a question of law he usually consulted a special committee for that purpose working under a department known ,is ”Shuha-i-Ifta (The department of Jurists), or sometimes he sent tne matter directly to the Committee. Hazrat AH, Usman. Mu’adh bin Jaba!. Abdur Rahman bin ’Auf, Ubay> bin Ka’b. Zaid bin Thabit, Abu Hurairah and Abu Das da (Rad.A) were the main Muftis” at Medina. The Khalifah did not Sicsitate to enquire about a Hadith \vhicn he dH not know. At the same time he did not allow others to narrate Ahadith (saying of the Holy Prophet), not known to him without a witness.
Besides performing the duty of the administration each govuru wa« also the religious head of the province. He had to lead five saksts u> the nearest mosque, the Juma’a saiat in the Masjid alJami: (The main mosque of the capita!) and also the Eid salats on ”Eid Musallahs”.