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

The Majlas-e-Shura
The Caliph was not the sole master of the Islamic state. He was bound to the decision of the Advisory Councils in all religious and economic .matters. He was assisted by the council or Shura which was comprised by the principal companions of the Holy Prophet. Its meeting was often held in the Masjid-i-Nabwai. All important matters of the state decided by majority in this Advisory Council. In this council all the affairs of the state carried out according to the injunctions of the Qur’an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. Several members of this council were also assigned certain portfolios and all problems of legislation and administration, were put before it and thoroughly discussed and decided. The council had a sense of collective responsibility. Thus both in theory and practice the Shura was an essential part of the Caliphate. Administrative Structure of the Provinces
Under, Hazrat Abu Bakr (Rad.A) there was not a vast empire as had in the time of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) the great. Umar (Rad.A)
S.A.Q. Hussaini, Arab Administration, P.35.
Administration under the Pious Caliphs 339
was not merely a great soldier he was an equally great administrator. Side by side his, conquests, he displayed unique genius in organizing the civil admir^stration of subjugated territories.
For that purpose he divided the empire into eight provinces (i) [Medina (ii) Makkah
(in) ’ Kufa (iv) Basrah
(v) Egypt (vi) Palestine
(vii) Syria (viii) Jazriah
He appointed the separate governors in each province for the proper administration and fair development of their provinces. Like the division of province of Palestine, he divided into two big areas or units. The headquarters of one was Aylia and that of the other Ramlah. The division of the Egypt in the form of Upper and Lower Egypt, separate system of administration according to the needs of the people enforced. After the demise of the Holy Prophet, the frame work of central administration, provincial administration had fully changed on account of expansion of the empire. There were some provincial- official who managed the administrative problems in the provinces. There is the list of the following:
(i) Wali or Governor (ii) Amil or Collector
(in) Qazi or Judge (iv) Katib or Secretary
(v) Shaib-al-Bayit-al-Mal: Finance Secretary, all these officers worked under the Caliph.
Governor
Governor was the chief administrator in that area who was appointed by the orders of the Caliph, who was called Wali. Role of Shura and appointment of these officials both were part and parcel in that period. Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) was extra genius minded, so he was more careful about the choice of the Governors and other provincial and central officials. At the appointment, the Caliph gave some instruction to the governor about his duties and powers. The words of Hazrat Umar (Rad.A) to the newly appointed governor of Basrah, ”Listen, you are not appointed to rule over the necks of the people, but to guide them in the right path, which you know the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet render unto the Muslims, their rights. Do not beat them. Do not place guard at your gate so as to shut the people from approaching you. Do not shut your doors against them, least the strong amongst them devour the weak ones”. Under these directions the governor worked in his office. The

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Political and Cultural History of Islam

governor was the head of province and representative of the Caliph in that unit of administration. He performed all those functions in the province as the Caliph done in the centre. He maintained the law and order in the province. He was the military Commander of the provincial forces. Governor had some officials who assisted in all matters of the province. Governor resided at the Dar-ul-Imara in that province.2