HAZRAT UMAR-ADMINISTRATOR PAR EXCELLENCE


Hazrat Umar occupies an outstanding place in history. Although his rule extended over Arabia, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Egypt and other places. An empire much greater than those of Chosroes or the Byzantine’s. He was a benign administrator and never for a moment lost sight of justice and truth in dispension of the state affairs. Unlike the crowns and conquerors in the world, he chose to rule by humility, frugality and piety, far away from pomp and grandeur.

The administrative system of caliphUmar was based on the principles of teachings of Islam. The holy Quran has explicitly laid down the fundamental laws of Islamic policy that the affairs of state should be conducted by consultation and counsel.

Now we shall touch upon some of the administrative skills displayed by the caliphate run such a vast Islamic state.

DEMOCRACY NOT AUTOCRACY

None of the states around Umar were democratic. Persia had never seen democracy. Romans had this distinction in ancient times but democracy had vanished ages before Umar. Without having any pattern or example set before him, Umar laid the foundation of a democratic state. Umar used to say, “The greater the right or opportunity the public has to interfere, the more democratic the government will be considered”.



CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY

The most vital and fundamental aspect of the democratic system was the establishment of a consultative assembly. Whenever an important question came up for decision, the consultative assembly was called and no query was decided without free debate and consent of the majority. The whole body of politic of Islam was divided at that time into two groups, namely the Muhajirin and the Ansaar. They were the leaders of the people and the whole of Arabia looked upon them as their representative.

NO PREVILEGES TO THE CALIPH

The great beauty of the democratic system adopted by Omar was that the caliph stands on a level of perfect equality with the common masses in the matter of personal rights and claims no exception from any law. His powers were limited and every citizen had the right to criticize him.

Addressing Omar on one occasion a man repeatedly said, “Fear Allah O’Omar!” When he was rebuked Omar said, “Let him say it .If these people did not exhort me so they would be useless and if I did not listen I would be in the wrong”.

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