Sir William Muir says about Umar(RA) the great
 

[B][SIZE="2"]Sir William Muir[/SIZE][/B] in his famous book [SIZE="2"][B]The life of Muhammad[/B][/SIZE] . a staunch critic of islam he was writes about Umar(RA) the great

[B][SIZE="2"]Umar's life requires but few lines to sketch. Simplicity and duty were his guiding principles; impartiality and devotion the leading features of his administration. Responsibility so weighed upon him that he was heard to exclaim 'O that my mother had not borne me; would that I had been this stalk of grass instead!' In early life, of a fiery and impatient temper, he was known, even in the later days of the Prophet, as the stern advocate of vengeance. Ever ready to unsheathe the sword, it was he who at Badr advised that the prisoners should be put to death. But age, as well as office, had now mellowed this asperity. His sense of justice was strong. And except it be the treatment of Khalid, whom according to some accounts, he pursued with an ungenerous resentment, no act of tyranny or injustice is recorded against him; and even in this matter, his enmity took its rise in Khalid's unscrupulous treatment of fallen foe. The choice of his captains and governors was free from favoritism and (Al-Mughira and Ammar excepted) singularly fortunate. The various tribes and bodies in the empire, representing interests the most diverse, reposed in his integrity implicit confidence, and his strong arm maintained the discipline of law and empire. . . Whip in hand he would perambulate the streets and markets of Madina, ready to punish slanders on the spot; and so the proverb Umar's whip is more terrible than another's sword'. But with all this he was tender hearted, and numberless acts of kindness are recorded of him, such as relieving the wants of the widows and the fatherless[/SIZE][/B]

The Encyclopedia Britannica
 

[B][SIZE="2"][FONT="Lucida Sans Unicode"]To Umar's ten years' Caliphate belong, for the most part, the great conquests. He himself did not take the field, but remained in Madina; he never, however, suffered the reins to slip from his grasp, so powerful was the influence of his personality and the Muslim community of feeling. His political insight is shown by the fact that he endeavored to limit the indefinite extension of Muslim conquest, to maintain and strengthen the national Arabian character of the commonwealth of Islam; also by making it his foremost task to promote law and order in its internal affairs. The saying with which he began his reign will never grow antiquated: 'By God, he that is weakest among you shall be in my eye the strongest, until I have vindicated for him his rights; he that is strongest I will treat as the weakest, until he complies with the law'. It would be impossible to give a better general definition of the function of the State."[/FONT][/SIZE][/B]

Lives of Successors of Muhammad by Washington Irving
 

[B][SIZE="2"]The whole history of Umar shows him to have been a man of great powers of mind, inflexible integrity and rigid justice. He was more than any one else the founder of the Islamic empire; confirming and carrying out the inspirations of the Prophet; aiding Abu Bakr with his counsels during his brief Caliphate; and establishing wise regulations for the strict administration of the law throughout the rapidly-extending bounds of the Muslim conquests. The rigid hand which he kept upon his most popular generals in the midst of their armies, and in the most distant scenes of their triumphs, gives signal evidence of his extra-ordinary capacity to rule. In the simplicity of his habits, and his contempt for all pomp and luxury, he emulated the example of the Prophet and Abu Bakr. He endeavored incessantly to impress the merit and policy of the same in his letters to his generals. 'Beware' he would say of Persian luxury both in food and raiment. Keep to the simple habits of your country, and Allah will continue you victorious; depart from them and He will reverse your fortunes'. It was his strong conviction of the truth of this policy which made him so severe in punishing all ostentatious style and luxurious indulgence in his officers. Some of his ordinances do credit to his heart as well as his head. He forbade that any female captive who had borne a child should be sold as a slave. In his weekly distributions of the surplus money of his treasury, he proportioned them to the wants, not the merits of the applicants. 'God' said he, 'has bestowed the good things of this world to relieve our necessities, not to reward our virtues: those will be rewarded in another world'."
[/SIZE][/B]

One of the greatest leaders in history
 

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]Umar was already not a endearing figure in Medina. Although almost all of the Muslims had given pledge of loyalty to him, nevertheless he was rather more feared than loved. The first challenge for Umar was to win out his subjects and members of Majlis al Shura.[44] Umar was a gifted orator, and he would use his ability to get a soft corner in the hearts of people.[45] On Friday prayers Umar addressed the people as follow:[/COLOR][/B]

[B]Quote:
Brethren, it has come to my notice that the people are afraid of me..... they say that he (Umar) has become the Caliph now, God knows how hard he will be. Whoever has said this is not wrong in his assessment...... know ye brethren that you will feel a change in me.[46] For those who practice tyranny and deprive others of their rights, I will be harsh and stern, but for those who follow the law, I will be most soft and tender.
Umar's addresses greatly moved the people. Next time he addressed the people as:[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]Quote:
"I will be harsh and stern against the aggressor[47], but I will be a pillar of strength for the weak.[/COLOR][/B]

[B]I will not calm down until i will put one cheek of a tyrant on the ground and the other under my feet, and for the poor and weak, i will put my cheek on the ground."
There could be no better definition of the democracy and justice, then the historic words of Umar,[48] over which he laid foundation of his rule:[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]Quote:
By God, he that is weakest among you shall be in my eye the strongest[49], until I have vindicated for him his rights; he that is strongest I will treat as the weakest, until he complies with the law.
Umar's stress was on the well being of poor and underprivileged people, as this class made a bulk of any community, the people were soundly moved by Umar's speeches and his popularity grew rapidly and continuously over the period of his reign.[/COLOR][/B]

[QUOTE=Khanabadosh;306736]and this is why i hate islamic history of css version...bunch of lies and rhetoric[/QUOTE]

:?

Would you like to expand on that ..

Here is the link to CSS Islamic History syllabus ..

[url=http://www.cssforum.com.pk/islamic-history-culture.php]Islamic History And Culture - CSS Syllabus - CSS Forums[/url]

Now .. I wanna know where is the bunch of lies lying in it .. ?
Because, the syllabus gives topics only and you need to have a strong base of reading to share your views on them ..

If you scroll down on the page from that link above, you'l notice about 24 books mentioned as suggested readings .. 24 of them in total and 14 by Non-Muslim scholars .. Are all of them lying .. ? Or you meant by the Muslim writers only .. ?

Hazrat Umar(RA) on Death of Hazrat Khalid bin waleed(sword of Allah)
 

[B][SIZE="2"]The news of Khalid's death broke like a storm over Madinah. The women took to the streets, led by the women of the Bani Makhzum, wailing and beating their breasts.Hazrat Umar(ra) had heard the sad news and now heard the sounds of wailing. He was deeply angered. On his very first day as Caliph, he had given orders that here would be no wailing for departed Muslims. And there was logic in Umar's point of view. Why should we weep for those who have gone to paradise? the blissful abode promised by Allah to the Faithful! Umar had enforced the order, at times using his whip.[/SIZE][/B]

[B][SIZE="2"][COLOR="Magenta"]Umar now heard sounds of wailing. He stood up from the floor of his room, took his whip and made for the door. He would not permit disobedience of his orders; the wailing must be stopped at once! He got to the door, but there he paused. For a few silent moments the Caliph stood in the doorway, lost in thought. This was, after all, no ordinary death; this was the passing away of Khalid bin Al Waleed. Then he heard the sounds of mourning from the next house-his own daughter, Hafsa, widow of the Holy Prophet, was weeping for the departed warrior.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[B][SIZE="2"]Umar turned back. He hung up his whip and sat down again. In this one case he would make an exception. "Let the women of the Bani Makhzum say what they will about Abu Sulaiman, for they do not lie", said the Caliph. "Over the likes of Abu Sulaiman weep those who weep."[/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="3"]Khalid, by was at the height of his career, he was famous and loved by his men, for Muslim community he was a national hero,and was publicly known as Sayf-ullah ("Sword of Allah".) His fame apparently worried Caliph Umar, who saw it as a possible threat to his own authority. Umar apparently was in need of an excuse to take punitive actions against Khalid. He found one such excuse when Khalid, during his stay at Emesa had a special bath with a certain substance prepared with alcoholic mixture.Umar's spies informed him of the incident, as alcohol is forbidden in Islam, and Umar took notice of it asking Khalid to explain himself. Khalid felt that this was carrying the Muslim ban on alcohol a bit too far, which dealt only with the drinking of Alcohol not its external applications, and the excuse was apparently enough for Umar and the senate at Madina to be satisfied. Another such opportunity for Umar stuck when shortly after Khalid's capture of Marash (Kahramanmaraş), in the autumn of 638, he came to know of Ash'as, a famous poet and warrior on Persian front, reciting a poem in praise of Khalid and receiving a gift of 10,000 dirhams from him, apparently from the state treasury.[/SIZE]

[B][SIZE="3"][B]Expansion of Rashidun Caliphate[/B][/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="3"]Umar and his senate identified this act as misuse of state treasure, though not as punishing as to lose one's office, but in case of Khalid this was the excuse what Umar apparently needed. He immediately wrote a letter to Abu Ubaidah asking him to bring Khalid in front of the congregation, his turban, and take off his cap. Umar wanted Abu Ubaida to ask Khalid from what funds he gave to Ash'as: from his own pocket or from the state treasury? If he confessed to having used the spoils, he was guilty of misappropriation.If he claimed that he gave from his own pocket, he was guilty of extravagance. In either case he would be dismissed, and Abu Ubaida would take charge of his duties. Abu Ubaida was himself an admirer of Khalid and loved him as his younger brother, and so said that he was not capable of doing it. Instead, Bilal ibn Ribah was appointed for this task and called back Khalid from Chalcis to Emessa, where he was charged publicly. Khalid stated that he gave money from his own pocket and thus was declared innocent in that charge. However, when he went to Abu Ubaida, he told him that he had been dismissed on the order of Umar and is required to go back to Medina.Khalid went to Chalcis and said good bye to his mobile guard. He then went to Medina to meet Umar. He protested about what he considered to be injustice. Umar is said to have praised him in these words: "You have done; And no man has done as you have done. But it is not people who do; It is Allah who does..."[/SIZE]

----------------------------------


Later Umar explained his dismissal of Khalid:

[B][SIZE="2"] I have not dismissed Khalid because of my anger or because of any dishonesty on his part, but because people glorified him and were misled. I feared that people would rely on him. I want them to know that it is Allah who give us victory; and there should be no mischief in the land.[/SIZE][/B]
[B][SIZE="4"] —Caliph Umar.[/SIZE][/B]

bindas if you dont mind plz can you use darker colours for highlighting. :)

my dearest Moula Ali(RA) reverence with Hazrat Umar(RA) and Hazrat Abu bakr(RA)
 

[COLOR="Magenta"][SIZE="2"][B]The Muslim Revivalist (Mujaddid) of the 14th Century, A'LA HAZRAT IMAAM AHMED RAZA AL-QADERI (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) in his book, "GHAYATUT TAHQEEQ FI IMAAMATUL 'ALI AS SIDDEEQ," quotes from "A IQUL MUHARRIQAH" that: "Imaam Abul Qaasim Ismaeel Muhammad Bin Al Fazl Balkhi in his Kitaab, 'AS SUNNAH' stated that Imaam ibn Hajjar Makki reported that Alqamah (radi Allahu anhu) narrated that Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was once informed that some people declared that he (Hazrat Ali) is higher in status than Hazraat Shaykhain (Abu Bakr and Umar) - radi Allahu anhuma.

"Upon hearing this, he (Hazrat Ali) stood on the mimbar and declared after praises to Allah and His Messenger (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), 'O People! News had reached me that some people are saying that I have a higher status than Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) and Umar (radi Allahu anhu). Had I clarified the ruling earlier on this matter, then the subscribers to such a view would have certainly been punished by me.

" 'As from today, whosoever is heard to make such utterances is a slanderer (MUFTARI), and he shall be liable for the punishment of a slanderer, which is 80 lashes.'

"Thereafter, he (Hazrat Ali) said, 'Without any doubt, after Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), the most excellent in the Ummah is Hazrat Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), followed by Umar, and after him Allah knows best whose status appears next.'"

"Alqamah states that Sayyiduna Hassan Mujtaba (radi Allahu anhu) was present in that gathering and remarked, 'By Allah! If he (Hazrat Ali) was to make mention of the third name (after Umar Farooq), he would have mentioned the name of Uthman (radi Allahu anhu).' " [/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

Holy Prophet(PBUH) about hazrat Umar(RA)
 

[B][SIZE="2"][COLOR="Magenta"]Hazrat ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (583 - 643 CE), was the second of the Rightly Guided Khalifas
in Islamic history. He was a Companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and was one of the
‘Ashratun-Mubashshirah, i.e. those ten Companions who had been given the glad tidings of
belonging to Paradise.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]
[B][SIZE="2"]It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir that the Holy Prophet said:
“Allah chose my Companions over everything else in existence except for the
Prophets and the Messengers. He subhaanahu wa ta’ala chose four of them for
me: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali. He made them my best Companions, and
all of my Companions are good.”
[Al-Bazzar and Ad-Daylami][/SIZE][/B]
[B][SIZE="2"][COLOR="Magenta"]The Holy Prophet also said:
“Whoever loves ‘Umar has loved me. Whoever hates ‘Umar hates me.”
[At-Tabarani]
Hazrat Ibn Abbas narrates that the Holy Prophet said:
“There is no angel in the heaven that does not respect ‘Umar and no shaytan
on the earth but that he is afraid of ‘Umar .”[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

Hazrat Daata Ganj Baksh about Umar(RA)the Great
 

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]Hazrat Daata Ganj Baksh , an 11th century scholar and Sufi saint writes in his famous Kashful-
Mahjoob that:[/COLOR][/B]

[B][SIZE="2"]Hazrat ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab was the Commander of the Faithful (Ahl-eimna),
leader of those having the status of ihsan, the imam (leader) of those who
have realized the Truth (Ahl-e-tahqiq) and the guide of lovers gone deep into the ocean of Divine love. He is famous for his karamat (spiritual eminence) and farasat (spiritual insight), and had a large number of mystical truths to his credit.[/SIZE][/B]

[B]The Holy Prophet said:
“Al Haqqu yantiqu ‘alaa lisaanil ‘Umar”
“God speaks through the tongue of ‘Umar.”[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]He has expressed such a great number of mystical truths that it is not possible to exhaust them in this book. [/COLOR][/B]

[B]The Holy Prophet said:

“Al ‘uzlatu raahatun min khaltai-su”
“Solitude is safety from bad company”[/B]

[B][SIZE="2"]‘Uzlah (solitude) is of two kinds:
1) disregard of mankind, and
2) total boycott
Disregard of mankind is a sort of retirement form public life to avoid bad
company and scrutinizing one's own faults for protecting oneself from others
and from oneself. But total boycott is something spiritual and involves mental
rather than physical detachment from the world. In that state although one is
living with people physically, one is alone spiritually. This is an extremely high
state and the person of this status follows exactly on the footsteps of Hazrat
Umar who found pleasure in solitude, although outwardly he was the
Commander of the Faithful and lived among them. Hazrat Umar said, “It is
not possible for a house found on corruption to be free from corruption.”
The Sufi community follows the example of Hazrat Umar , in wearing wool
and undergoing hardships of Islamic Life since he is the Imam of mankind. May
Allah be pleased with him.[/SIZE][/B]

Sahabi (R.A)
 

[SIZE="2"]
[B]The companions of the Prophet (S.A.W) are known as Sahabah Ikraam.[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]A Sahabi is a person who saw the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) in the state of Imaan and died in the state of Imaan.
[/COLOR][/B]
[B]The Ummah of the Prophet (S.A.W) is ranked the highest, in comparison to all other Prophets Ummah. A Sahabi has the highest status in Prophet (S.A.W)’s Ummah.[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]There are Ten Sahabah Ikraam who were rewarded with Paradise during their lifetime.[/COLOR][/B]

[B]These are blessed with the title of “Ashrah Mubashrah”.[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]The Sahabah sacrificed everything for the cause of Islam. They suffered extreme unimaginable torture at the hands of the non muslims. Many loosing their homes, wealth, livelihood, families and in majority of cases their lives in order to uphold the truth (Islam).
[/COLOR][/B]
[B]Although the Sahabah were few in number, facing a lot of struggle and hardship they stood tall, strong and united alongside the Prophet (S.A.W) and never tolerated any type of disrespect towards Islam or the Prophet (S.A.W).[/B]

[B]May Allah (S.W.T) give us the ability to follow in the footsteps of the Sahabah Ikraam (R.A).

Prophet Muhammed Mustafa (S.A.W) has said “My Sahabah are like the stars, whichever one you follow, you’ll find guidance.”[/B][/SIZE]

Khulafa-e-Rashdeen
 

[B][SIZE="3"]
Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, lover of the Messenger, was the product of the lessons he learned in the school of love, from love's teacher the Mentor of the Universe.

He is the gate of the City of Knowledge,

Tolerance and Love, just as 'Umar is the gate of the City of Justice,

Abu Bakr of the City of Veracity and '

Uthman of the City of Modesty. May Allah be pleased with them all. [/SIZE][/B]

Love among sahaba's and ahle bayt (HISTORICAL FACTS)
 

[B][SIZE="3"]1. Hazrat Jaffar-e-Tayyar (RA) and Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Both of them were having brotherly terms. When Hazart Jaffar-e-Tayyar (RA) embraced martydom in Ghazwah-e-Mautah, Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), married his widow i.e., Harzat Asma binte Amees (RA).[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]2. Hazrat Ali (KAW) and Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]After the demise of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), Hazrat Ali (KAW), married Hazrat Asma binte Amees (RA) and adopted Hazrat Muhammad bin Abu Bakar (RA) saying, "He is my son, although he is from the progeny of Abu Bakar (RA).[/B]
[B][SIZE="3"]
3. Hazart Ali (KAW) and Hazrat Umar (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]It is recorded that whenever Hazrat Umar (KAW) was faced with a problem, whether religious or otherwise, he would always ask for the advice of Hazrat Ali (KAW). At a number of times he said, "Had Ali (KAW) not been there, behold, Umar (RA) would have perished".[/B]
[B][SIZE="3"]
4. Hazrat Umar (RA) and Hazrat Imam Hassan (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Once Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) was playing with Hazrat Imam Hassan and Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). At that time Hazrat Imam Hassan (RA) passed a remark on Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) calling him the son of his slave. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA), went back home crying and when asked by Hazrat Umar (RA), narrated the whole story. Hazrat Umar (RA) started crying and asked his son to go back to Hazrat Imam Hassan (RA) and request him to write these same words for Hazrat Umar (RA) as a token of authentication to be placed in his coffin.[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]5. Hazrat Usman (RA) and Hazrat Ali (KAW)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]During the Khilafat of Hazrat Usman (RA), the Fitna of Khawaraj was a menace for the Muslims. During this time, Hazrat Ali (KAW) made several attempts to save Hazrart Usman (RA) from the evils of Khawarij. The personal presence of Hazrat Imam Hassan and Hazrart Imam Hussain (RA) at the residence of Hazrat Usman (RA) to safeguard him against Khawaraij says it all.[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]6. Hazrat Imam Hassan (AS) and Hazrart Muawiyyah (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Whatever the role of Hazrat Muawiyyah (RA) might have been, at least Hazrart Imam Hassan (RA) showed the ultimate sign of magnanimity by reconciling with him to save the Muslim Blood from shedding. He also proved right a Hadith of Holy Prophet (MPBUH) when he said, "This son of mine (Hazrat Imam Hassan (RA)), will unite two factions of my Ummah".[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]7. Hazrat Ali (KAW) and Hazrat Ayesha (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]After the Battle of Camel (Jang-e-Jamal) the reconciliatory dialogue between Hazrat Ali (KAW) and Hazrat Ayesha (RA) says it all, when both declared that incident to be a misunderstanding between a Bhabhi (Brother's wife) and a Dewar (Husband's younger brother). Moreover the respect with which Hazrat Ali (KAW) sent back Hazrat Ayesha (RA) to Madina also points to a reconciliation rather than animosity.[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]8. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) and Hazrat Fatima (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Hazrat Jumai bin Umeer (RA) states that one day he, along with his aunty, met Hazrat Ayesha (RA). I asked her, "Whom amongst women was liked the most by Holy Prophet (MPBUH)?", She replied that it was Hazrat Fatima (RA). I asked again, "And among men?", and she replied that it was her husband Hazart Ali (KAW).[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]9. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) and Ahle Bait (RA)[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Once Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar was asked by someone, "Which Sahabi was respected the most in Holy Prophet's (MPBUH) time". He replied that it was Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA). The man asked again, "After him?". He replied that it was Hazrat Umar (RA). The man inquired again, "Who after him?". He replied that it was Hazrat Usman (RA). The man asked the fourth time, "What about Hazrat Ali (KAW)?". On hearing this Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar replied, "Don't you know that he is not from Ashab, but is from Ahle Bait".[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"]10. Hazrat Imam Baqir (RA) and his wife[/SIZE][/B]
[B]Hazrat Imam Baqar (RA), the 5th Shia Imam was married to Hazrat Umme Farwa (RA), who was a great grand daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA). Her pedigree goes like this, Hazrat Umme Farwa binte Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakar (RA). She was the mother of Hazart Jaffa-as-Sadiq (RA) the 6th Shia Imam.[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"][B]AHADITH[/B]
These are just a few instances of the mutual respect among Sahaba and Ahle Bait. Now I will qoute a couple of Ahadith;[/COLOR][/B]

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="DimGray"]1. Hazrat Ali (KAW) and Momineen
This Hadith is present in Sahih Muslim, Jame Tirmazi, Masnad-e-Ahmad with slight variations. Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (MPBUH) said about Hazrat Ali (KAW), "Every Momin will consider Ali (KAW) as a friend and every Munafiq will consider Ali (KAW) as an enemy". Another variation with another sanad goes like this, "A Munafiq will not consider Ali (KAW) as a friend and a Momin will not consider Ali (KAW) as an enemy".[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="3"][B]2. Hazrat Ali (KAW) and Hazrat Essa (AS)[/B][/SIZE]
[B]This Hadith is from Masnad-e-Ahmad. Hazrat Ali (KAW) himself said, "Holy Prophet (MPBUH) said to me that you are like Hazrat Essa (AS) in that Jews maligned his mother (Hazrat Mariam (AS)) and Christian made him a diety to which he was not worthy of". After saying this Hazrat Ali said, "Two types of persons will be destroyed in relation to me; the one who over glorifies me out of love, and the one who maligns me out of hatred".[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Magenta"]From the words written above, it is clear that Sahaba (RA) respected and loved Ahle Bait (AS). Similarlry, Ahle Bait (AS) loved and respected Sahaba (RA). A true Momin is the one who loves Holy Prophet and his Ahle Bait especially Hazrat Ali (KAW), no matter to which school of thought he belongs. And all the three righteous Caliphs (RA) loved and respected Hazrat Ali (KAW) and he (KAW) repected them (RA).[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

Caliph Umar's (ra) address after conquering Jerusalem
 

[B][SIZE="2"][COLOR="DimGray"]After receiving the surrender of Jerusalem and completing the tour of Syria when Caliph Umar was returning to Madina he led the prayer at Jabiah. On this occasion he delivered an address which is preserved in history. The major part of his address was:
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]
[SIZE="3"][SIZE="2"][B][COLOR="Magenta"]"O ye people I counsel you to read the Qur’an. Try to understand it and ponder over it. Imbibe the teachings of the Qur’an. Then practise what the Quran teaches. The Qur’an is not theoretical; it is a practical code of life. The Qur’an does not bring you the message of the Hereafter only; it is primarily intended to guide you in this life. Mold your life in accordance with the teachings of Islam for that is the way of your well being. By following any other way you will be inviting destruction.

"Fear Allah (The One True God), and whatever you want seek from Him. All men are equal. Do not flatter those in authority. Do not seek favors from others. By such acts you demean yourself. And remember that you will get only that is ordained for you, and no one can give you anything against the will of God. Then why seek things from others over which they have no control? Only supplicate God for He alone is the sovereign.

"And speak the truth. Do not hesitate to say what you consider to be the truth. Say what you feel. Let your conscience be your guide. Let your intentions be good, for verily God is aware of your intentions. In your deeds your intentions count. Fear God, and fear no one else. Why fear others when you know that whatever sustenance ordained for you by God you will get under all circumstances? And again why fear when you know that death is ordained by God alone and will come only when He wills?

"Allah has for the time being made me your ruler. But I am one of you. No special privileges belong to ruler. I have some responsibilities to discharge, and in this I seek your cooperation. Government is a sacred trust, and it is my endeavor not to betray the trust in any way. For the fulfillment of the trust I have to be a watch-man. I have to be strict. I have to enforce discipline. I have to run the administration not on the basis of personal idiosyncracies; I have to run it in public interest and for promoting the public good. For this we have the guidance in the Book of God. Whatever orders I issue in the course of day to day administration have to conform to the Qur’an. God has favored us with Islam. He sent to us His Messenger (Muhammad, pbuh). He has chosen us for a mission. Let us fulfil that mission. That mission is the promotion of Islam. In Islam lies our safety; if we err we are doomed."[/COLOR][/B][/SIZE][/SIZE]

Caliph Hazrat Umar(RA) at Jerusalem
 

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Magenta"]When he went to Palestine to receive the surrender of the city of Jerusalem the world witnessed the strange spectacle of his slave riding the camel, and he himself walking on foot holding the reins of the camel. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]


[B]Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) appointed Hadrat'Ali (Raziallah Anho) as his deputy and went to Jerusalem with his slave. They were having one camel on which each of them rode by turn. When Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was entering Jerusalem it happened to be the slave's turn to ride on the camel. Though the slave offered his turn to the "Khalifah" but Hadrat Umar refused and remarked: "The honour of Islam (i.e., being Muslim) is enough for all of us." He entered Jerusalem holding the rope of the camel on which was riding his slave. His clothes were dirty and there were several patches on them. Hadrat Abu 'Ubaidah, Khalid bin Walid and other commanders came some distance to receive him. They were wearing costly garments. This made Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) angry. He threw some pebbles at his generals (to show his anger) and said, "Have you changed so much in just two years? The only way for the success is the way of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam)."

Then Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) signed the treaty under which the inhabitants of Jerusalem were granted complete security of their life and property. Their places of worship were secured and remained intact. All the people were allowed to follow their religion freely.

The gates of the city were then opened and the Muslims entered the Jerusalem in the year 16 A.H. (i.e., 635 A.C.) According to some history books the date given on the treaty signed by Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) falls in the 17th year A. H. It is possible therefore that the Muslims conquered it early in 17th year A.H.

Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) visited the city. The time of the "Salat" had reached. The Christians allowed the Muslims to perform Salat in the big Church but Hadrat Umar declined to do so that it might not be an excuse for the future generations to take over the Church from them. He offered the Salat with the Muslims on the steps of the Church. Even then he gave in writing to the Bishop that the steps would never be used for congregational prayers or for the Adhan in future.[/B]

Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) as a great scholar
 

[B][B]Before the advent of Islam there was no tradition in Arabia of reading or writing. There were only seventeen people among Quraish who could read or write at the time when the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) started to receive Divine revelations. Hadrat Umar was one of those seventeen persons. His writing and lectures are still found in some old books. The first address he gave as a Caliph is as under

"O Allah, I am strict, make me soft. I am weak give me power. The Arabs are like refractory camels, I will endeavour to bring them to the straight path"

He was also interested in poetry and sometimes he composed verses. Umar (Raziallah Anho) was one of the most fluent Quraish. Arabic knowing persons can appreciate the fluency of his writings and addresses. Many of his sayings became aphorisms of literature.

He was a great Jurist and Theologian of Islam. Because of the fear of making any mistake he did not quote many Ahadith (Sayings of the Holy Prophet) even though he was fully conversant with them. He never allowed a person (companion) to quote any Hadith which was not well known without producing any attestator in support of it. If somebody quoted a Hadith before him which he had never heard, he at once asked him to bring a witness failing which he would be punished. He was expert in deriving laws from the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith. A full volume could be complied out of the verdicts and judgements given by Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho). As a matter of fact he opened a new door of Ijtihad' "(Disciplined judgement of a Jurist) in the history of Islamic Law and Jurisprudence, and settled a number of disputable cases during his caliphate.[/B][/B]

Provincial Administration of Umer(RA) the great
 

[B][COLOR="Magenta"][SIZE="2"]Hadrat Umar was an outstanding model for the succeeding Muslim rulers in administration. "During the thirty years that the Republic lasted", says Amir Ali, "the policy derived its character chiefly from Umar both during his life-time and after his death".

Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) divided the whole Islamic Khilafat (i.e. Islamic State into various provinces each with a capital. The following were, the provinces and their governors in 23 A.H., i.e. near the end of Hadrat Umar's Caliphate.

1. Hijaz with Makkah as its capital; Governor -- Nafi' bin Abu Harith.
2. Syria with Damascus as its capital; Governor-- Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan.
3. Iran with Basrah as its capital; Governor -- Abu Musa al-Ash'ari.
4. Iraq with Kufa as its capital; Governor -- Mughirah bin Shu'bah.
5. Egypt with Fustat as its capital; Governor -'Amr bin al-'As.
6. Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital; Governor -- 'Alqamah bin Majaz.
7. Jazirah (i.e. Mesopotamia) with Hims (Hems) as its controlling capital; Governor -- 'Umair bin Sa'd.
8. The central province of Arabia with Medina as its capital.

The Capital of the State was also Medina. The title of a Provincial Governor was "Wali", who was the chief administrator and generally the supreme commander of the armed forces of that 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-Ahdath); the Judge (alQadi). In those provinces where the governor was not holding the office of the commander of armed forces, a separate commander was appointed. For example, in the beginning in Kufa Hadrat Amaribn Yasir (Raziallah Anho) was the "Wali" (the Governor),'Uthman ibn Hanif(Raziallah Anho) was the Revenue Collector, Abdullah ibn Mas'ud (Raziallah Anho) was the Treasury Officer, Hadrat Shuraih (Raziallah Anho) was the Judge and 'Abdullah ibn Khaza'i (Raziallah Anho) was the Secretary of Defence (i,e., Diwan). Usually the officers were appointed after consultation with the "Shura" (the Advisory Council).

The provinces were divided into districts. Each district was administered by an officer called 'Amil. 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 Khalifah. Enquires were made and grievances were removed.

All the officers were paid high salaries so that they may not indulge in bribery and corruption[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B]

Judiciary Of Umar(RA) caliphate
 

[B][B]The judicial functions were entrusted to Qadis (Judges). A Qadi was completely free of the executive administration. On a number of occasions the Khalifah (Hadrat Umar) himself appeared before a Qadi to defend himself in some cases. The provincial Qadis were completely independent of the provincial governors. The Qadis were paid good salaries so that there might not be even a slightest chance of bribery. The monthly salary of Qadis like Hadrat Salman, Rabi'ah and Shuraih (Raziallah Anho) were 500 Dirhams. The monthly salary of Hadrat Amir Mu'awiyah (Raziallah Anho) was 1000 dirhams. "Umar was the first ruler in Islam", says Amir Ali, "to fix salaries for judges and to make their offices distinct from the executive officers."

In a number of books like "Tabaqatul Fuqaha", and "Mawardi" an ordinance sent by Umar (Raziallah Anho) to various Qadis is quoted

"It is essential for a "Qadi" to be just in his decisions and should not give any preference to the persons considered eminent in the society. The complainants should produce proof in support of their case while the defendants are allowed to take an oath (depending upon the nature of the case). Agreement between the two parties is permissible except when such agreement makes unlawful act lawful or a lawful act unlawful. If truth is known after a decision has been given, you are allowed to reconsider the case and change the decision. When you do not find guidance in the Holy Qur'an or in the Ahadith (i.e., practices and the sayings of the Holy Prophet) for decision of a case ponder over it (on the basis of the broader principles of Shari'ah i.e., Divine Law) and search for its solution in the light of past decisions given by the righteous predecessors. (In case you do not get the solution in past decisions), then apply your own mind (i.e., do Ijtihad or Qiyas based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah (i.e., the practices of the Holy Prophet)".

In another ordinance, given in "Kanzul'Ummal" Hadrat Umar told the Qadis

"Decide cases according to the Holy Qur'an. If you do not find any solution in it base your decision upon the Sunnah. In case you do not find an appropriate Hadith, search in the unanimity of the righteous predecessors (i.e., Ijma'), in the absence of Ijma', give your own verdict based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah (i.e., do Ijtihad or Qiyas).

The Qadis appointed by Hadrat Umar were among the most pious, truthful and trustworthy Muslims of his period. Besides being pious, they were also great Jurists and scholars. The Qadi of Medina was Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit (the Scribe of "Wahy" -- Revelation). There were two Qadis at Kufa, Hadrat'Abdullah bin Mas'ud and Hadrat Shuraih (Raziallah Anho) Other Qadis during the caliphate of Hadrat Umar were: Salman bin Rabi','Abdur Rahman bin Rabi','Imran bin Hasin, Abu Maryam, and Jamil bin al-Umar etc. (Raziallah Anho)

The Qadis were instructed to be impartial and totally free from the executive. In a dispute between Hadrat Umar (the Khalifah) and Hadrat Ubayy bin Ka'b, Hadrat Umar went to the court of Hadrat Zaid bin Thabit at Medina. Hadrat Zaid wanted to stand up to show respect to the Khalifah, on which Umar (Raziallah Anho) remarked: "This is your first unjust behaviour." Then Hadrat Umar sat with Hadrat Ubayy, the complainant like an ordinary person. In the same case Hadrat Ubayy wanted Hadrat Umar to take oath, but Zaid wanted to spare him because of the dignity of his office. Seeing this Umar (Raziallah Anho) admonished him, "You cannot be a just Qadi until a common man is equal to Umar before you." Since Hadrat Umar was also a jurist, he also held courts, and sometimes as the Court of Appeal in a position which could be described as the Chief Justice now-a-days. Once he inflicted the Sharia punishment of eighty lashes for drinking on his own son Abu Sahmah which resulted in his death on the spot. There are a number of other examples which show the Islamic Justice prevailing at the time. Muslims and non-Muslims both were equal before his justice. Once a Muslim killed a Christian, Hadrat Umar inflicted capital punishment upon him.

[/B][/B]

Department of education of Umar(RA)the great
 

[B]Hadrat Umar took special interest in imparting Islamic knowledge to the Muslims. The Holy Qur'an was compiled in a Book form during the period of Hadrat Abu Bakr on Umar's (Raziallah Anho) insistence. He established schools for teaching the Holy Qur'an in all the conquered territories. Such schools were located in the Masjids. A number of writers like Ibn-i-Jauzi (see "Sirat Umar") have mentioned that the teachers of such schools received good salaries. Besides teaching the Holy Qur'an they also trained the people in reading and writing. The Huffaz (i.e. the Muslims who commit whole of the Holy Qur'an to their memory) were specially honoured.

In the provinces of Syria and Palestine following teachers were appointed: ‘Ubadah bin Samit, Mu'adh bin Jabal and Abu Darda (Rid. A.). They established schools in Hims, Palestine (Jerusalem) and Damascus.

Hadrat Abu Sufyan was appointed to teach Bedouins. He was asked to test the knowledge of the Muslims learning the Holy Qur'an. It was compulsory for every Muslim to memorise sufficient part of the Holy Qur'an especially Surahs al-Baqrah;an-Nisa,al-Ma’idah; an-Nisa, al-Ma'idah, al-Hajj and an-Nur (Chapters, 2, 4, 5, 22 and 24 of the Holy Qur'an). In these Surahs Islamic laws and principles are described elaborately. To know basic Islamic laws was compulsory. Thus the concept of compulsory education was introduced at a time when nobody knew about it. The students memorising whole of the Qur'an by heart were given scholarships and other facilities.

He also appointed teachers to teach Hadith and Islamic Law. Hadrat 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Raziallah Anho) was sent to Kufa; hia'qal bin Yair (Raziallah Anho), and 'Imran bin Hasin (Raziallah Anho) to Basra, Hadrat Ubadah bin Samit used to teach Hadith and Islamic Law as well in Syria besides the Holy Qur'an.[/B]

The Bait-ul Maal (Public Treasury) and Revenue Administration
 

[SIZE="2"]A Public Treasury (Bait-ul-Maal) was for the first time established by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu'alaihi wa Sallam) in the form of a common fund for the benefit of the general public. During the time of Hadrat Abu Bakr (Raziallah Anho), a house was purchased for the purpose but there were no savings beside one Dirham when he passed away. During the caliphate of Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) the Bait-ul Mal was immensely enlarged.

He reorganised the entire system on a very sound and just basis. The officer in charge of the Public Treasury (Bait-ul Mal) was known as "Sahib-i-Bait-ul-Ma1". There were Treasury officers in each province. Guards were also appointed for the Bait-ul Mal. In Medina there was the central Treasury and regular accounts were kept.

Following were the main sources of revenue

(i) Jizya (Indemnity or Defence Tax);
(ii) Zakat(Poor Tax);
(iii) Khiraj(Land Tax);
(iv) 'Ushr (Special land Tax);
(v) Booty(Income from the conquered places)
(vi) Tax on non-Muslim merchants or traders (because they did pay Zakat).

The tax on non-Muslim traders was introduced by Hadrat’ Umar (Raziallah Anho) for the first time. The reason was obvious they did not pay Zakat while Muslim merchants had to pay Zakat. Ushr, the special land tax equal to one tenth of the produce was taken from large holdings.

The Zakat fund was kept in special account books and was spent in accordance with the Islamic laws as given in the Holy Qur'an. From the rest of the fund, expenditure on general administration and warfare was met. The surplus was distributed among Muslims which was determined by three main principles - the relationship and the closeness with the Holy Prophet; priority of conversion to Islam and sacrifices for its cause; and military service to Islam. For example, the "Badriyin" (the participants of Badr battle) received 5000 Dirhams each, those who participated in the battle of Uhud or participated in the "Treaty of Hudaibiya" received 4000 each. The Muslims who accepted Islam before the conquest of Makkah but after the "Treaty of Hudaibiya" received 3000 each. Those who fought in Syria or lraq received 2000 each and those who took part in the battles after this received 1000 each. An ordinary soldier who fought during the time of Hadrat 'U mar (Raziallah Anho) received 500 to 600 dirhams. The stipend was given to every Muslim whether male or female, young or old. Even new-born babies also received stipends. Sir William Muir in his book "Caliphate" comments on it

"A people dividing amongst them the whole revenues, spoil and conquests of the state, on the basis of an equal brotherhood is a spectacle probably without parallel in the world."

Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was very cautious in spending the Public Fund. There are a number of instances which could be presented here

Once his daughter, Umm-ul Mu'minin Lady Hafsa (the chaste widow of the Holy Prophet Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) came to him and demanded some share in the booty, that came from a battlefield, saying: "Give me some because your relatives have certain rights over you". He replied, "Of course my relatives have certain rights in my personal property but not in the property of Muslims".

Once Hadrat Umar fell sick and ;the physician advised him to take honey. There was plenty of honey in the Bait-uI Mal. He went to the Prophet's Masjid and called general "Shura'. When people assembled he said, "I need some honey, I would be thankful if you allow me to take some honey from the Bait-ul-Mal."

Once he saw a fat camel being sold in the market. He enquired about it and found out that the camel belonged to a man who allowed it to graze in the public pasture. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) told the man, "You are entitled to get as much as the camel would have fetched before it grazed in the official pasture. The balance must go to the Bait-ul-Mal."

He took personal care of the Baitul-Mal properties. Once a camel belonging to the Bait ul-Mal ran away. He himself went in search of it. In the meantime a chief of a clan came to meet him. Hadrat Umar said to him, "Please help me in my work. I am searching a camel of the Bait-ul-Mal."

Such examples are unparalleled in the history of whole civilisation and they show extreme vigilance by Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) of Public Funds.
At this place I would like to mention two more things in connection with the Revenue Administration of Hadrat Umar: (a) Survey of lands in 'Iraq; (b) Indemnity Tax.[/SIZE]

Construction of Masjids and establishment of Schools by Umar(RA)
 

[SIZE="2"]
He founded a number of schools. Masjids were used for giving religious instructions. A number of Masjids were built by Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho). He asked the governors of various provinces, specially of Syria to build at least one Masjid in each city or town. In Kufa a separate Masjid was built for every clan. According to some historians he built four thousand Masjids.

The Haram (Masjid-ul-Haram) in Makkah was too small for the increasing Muslim population. He extended it and built a wall around it in order to separate it from the township. He covered the Ka'bah with very costly Egyptian cloth instead of ordinary cloth.

The Masjid of the Holy Prophet was also extended. He bought all the houses and properties surrounding the Masjid besides the houses of the chaste widows of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu'alaihi wa Sallam), and extended the Masjid. A big platform was constructed in the yard of the Masjid to impart Islamic knowledge.[/SIZE]

Special care of Agriculture by Umar(RA)the great
 

Agronomy was the main source of income during those days. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) took special care of the welfare of agriculture and the farmers. As stated before he dug a number of canals for irrigation. A number of gardens were planted on his order. He made a law under which no Muslim could acquire land from the natives of the soil in the conquered territories. However land could be purchased. He supported both Muslim and non-Muslim farmers.

Besides the construction of canals a number of barrages, and big pools were constructed for supply of water in various parts of the State. Hadrat Umar also issued an ordinance under which uncultivated lands could be acquired by the permission of the government. Such lands were treated as the estates of those persons who cultivated them within three years of acquiring them, otherwise land would vest in the government. Large areas of land were thus cultivated because of this ordinance.

Umar's (Raziallah Anho) Period was the GOLDEN AGE of ISLAMIC History
 

[SIZE="2"]
Hadrat Umar’s period was the Golden Age of the Islamic history when Islam was practised in its true form. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) Initiated 41 good practices during his period, which were based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu'alaihi wa Sallam). These are known as "Awliat-i-Umar (the Initiations Of Umar). The details can be seen in the books of Islamic History like Tabari, Ibn-i-Athir, and Tarikh-i-Khulafa etc. Most of these initiations have been mentioned in the preceding pages in brief. Actually Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was the founder of ISLAMIC DEMOCRACY based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). The words of the Holy Prophet are very true

"IF THERE WERE TO BE A PROPHET AFTER ME HE WOULD HAVE BEEN UMAR IBN AL-KHATTAB." (Tirmidhi)

AND

"AMONG THE NATIONS BEFORE YOUR TIME THERE HAVE BEEN INSPIRED PEOPLE (WHO WERE NOT PROPHETS), AND IF THERE IS ONE AMONG MY PEOPLE HE IS UMAR". (Bukhari and Muslim)[/SIZE]

Survey of Lands in Iraq by Umar(RA)the great
 

[SIZE="2"]Before Islam there was no administration in Arabia. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) introduced a full administrative system based upon Islam. When Iraq was conquered he did not allow the conquered land to be distributed as estate among the warriors. He granted it to the people as State property. There were many objections raised by some of the Companions. After consultation with the "Shura", Hadrat Umar’s plan was formulated. Then he ordered survey of the conquered land in 'Iraq. Land tax has assessed according to the income of the farmers. No tax was levied on lands which were trusts for places of worship or which were owned by orphans. Forests were considered as State property. Big estates, owned individually by people were not taken away from them.

In other places like Syria and Egypt more or less the same system remained enforced as was before Islam as far as the ownership of estates was concerned. However he took those estates which were owned by Imperial Officers of Roman Empire and distributed them among the farmers. No Muslim was allowed to take over any piece of land. However purchase of lands was allowed.

He constructed a number of canals for irrigation purposes. In Egypt alone one hundred twenty thousand labourers worked to construct various canals from the river Nile. All these labourers were paid by the State.[/SIZE]

Police Department & institution of prisons by Umar(RA)the great
 

[SIZE="2"]
To keep order inside the State, a police force was necessary. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was the first Muslim Head of State who established the Police Department. The Police force at that time was known as "Ahdath" and the police officer as the "Sahibul Ahdath". Hadrat Abu Hurairah(Raziallah Anho) was appointed as the "Sahibul Ahdath" for Bahrain. When he was going to take charge of his duty, Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) gave him the following instructions

"Keep peace in the area. Let not the people contravene law. They should not measure or weigh incorrectly. Nobody should build any house on roads so as to hinder the passage. No one should overload an animal. Nobody is allowed to sell or buy liquor".

There was no jail in Arabia before Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho). He bought five houses in Makkah and used them as prisons. He also set up jails in some districts of various provinces. The punishment of exile was for the first time introduced by Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) He exiled Abu Mihjan Thaqafi to an island as punishment for drinking liquor.[/SIZE]

The Khalifah was the religious head of the State
 

[SIZE="2"]Not only the Khalifah 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 times compulsory Salats and Jumu'a Salat in the Holy Prophet's Masjid at Medina, and also the ‘ld Salats at the "Musalla for ‘ld"('ldgah) in Medina. At the time of Hajj he was the leader of the Hajj and in his absence a person was appointed by him as his deputy. In religious matters he used to give his verdict based upon the "Shari'ah" (Divine Law). In case of a question of law he usually consulted a special committee for that purpose working under a department known as "Shu'ba-i-Ifta" (The department of Jurists) or sometimes he sent the matter directly to the committee. Hadrat 'Ali, 'Uthman, Mu'adh bin Jabal, Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf, Ubayy bin Ka'b, Zaid bin Thabit, Abu Hurairah and Abu Darda (Rid. A.) were the main "Muftis" (Jurists) at Medina. The Khalifah did not hesitate to enquire about a Hadith which he did not know. At the same time he did not allow others to narrate Ahadith (sayings of the Holy Prophet), not known to him without a witness.

Besides performing the duty of administration each governor was also the religious head of the province. He had to lead five Salats in the nearest Masjid, the Jumu'a Salat in the Masjid al-Jami': (the main Masjid of the Capital), and also the ‘ld Salats on "'Id Musallas".[/SIZE]

Umar the pioneer of the Islamic democracy
 

[SIZE="2"]Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was the pioneer of modern civilisation to form a state based upon the Islamic democratic system, the system which was incorporated in the West as late as 19th and 20th centuries. He was the greatest democratic administrator whose example is unparalleled not only in the history of Islam but also in the history of modern civilisation. A vast part of the Middle East, Persian Empire and Byzantium, was conquered during the ten years of his "Khilafat" (Caliphate) which he consolidated into a state governed by Islam i.e. laws. "As an administrator", says Prof. K. Ali, a Muslim writer, "he remained a model for all great Muslim rulers during the whole Islamic history". Another famous historian, Amir Ali says, "During the thirty years that the Republic lasted, the policy derived its character chiefly from Umar both during his life-time and after his death."

The constitution of Islamic caliphate during the time of Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was based entirely on the Islamic democratic system. All matters were decided after consultation with the "Shura"(The Council of Advisors) the details of which would be given in the following pages. He remarked, "It is essential for a "Khalifah" to consult his "Shura". Once he said, "I do not desire that you may follow anything that arises from my caprice". Hadrat Umar had clearly stated on various occasions that he should be obeyed as long as he was obeying Allah and the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam).

Muslims and non-Muslims were treated alike. Although the Arab peninsula was declared to be purely an Islamic State, his attitude towards the non-Muslims was very tolerant. He allowed the Jews and the Christians, living in the Peninsula, to stay there if they so wished and nobody would interfere in their religious affairs. To those who desired to migrate he ensured safe journey up to the borders. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) also gave compensation for their properties and other facilities.[/SIZE]

Piety of Umar(RA)the Great
 

[SIZE="2"]His dress, meals and general behaviour were similar to those of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). There were usually a number of patches on his dress. He always took very ordinary meals. Once Yazid bin Abi Sufyan invited him to a feast and when special dishes were brought before him, he stopped eating and said, "I swear Allah, in Whose hand is the life of Umar, if you would not follow the ways of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam), Allah would cause you to be away from the "Siratul-Mustaqim"(the Straight Path)". He did not leave his characteristic simplicity even though he was ruling over a vast empire from Iran to Tripoli. He used to sit on a mat made of grass leaves.

Hadrat Umar feared Allah and was wholly devoted to Him. It was his usual practice to cry and weep during Salat. Sometimes he passed whole of the night performing Salat and crying before Allah; and because of tears his beard used to get wet. It was his usual practice to weep during the Fajr Salat. On hearing or reading the verses of the Holy Qur'an containing description of the Day of Judgement and the Hell he used to weep so much so that his whole beard would get wet. Once he was leading Fajr Salat when he recited a verse from Surah Yusuf: "I expose my distress and anguish only to Allah"(ll : 16), he started to weep and his voice was heard in the back row of the congregation. Because of excessive weeping due to fear of Allah, his eyes were swollen.

He was fearful of the account to be taken on the Day of Judgement. Once he took hold of a straw and said, "I wish I was a straw (to be saved from the account on the Day of Judgement)."

Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) sacrificed almost all of his wealth for the sake of Allah and for His Holy Prophet (Sallallahu'alaihi wa Sallam). Once he said, "I love the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) more than anything besides my life". Hearing this the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) remarked, "Nobody is (a true) Muslim unless he loves me more than everything of the world including his own life". On this Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho)said, "Now I love you, 0 Prophet of Allah, more than my life."

His belief in the Unity of God was unshakable. Once he went to Hajj during his "Khilafat” and while kissing the Black Stone (an act included in the rites of Hajj) he remarked, "I know that you are a stone. Neither can you harm anybody nor can do good to anybody. If I had not seen the Prophet of Allah kiss you I would have never kissed ". He was a strict follower of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam).[/SIZE]

Character of Umar(RA)the great
 

[SIZE="2"]He was a very pious Muslim. His success lay in two things-fear of Allah and his love for the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). He never used even oil from the Bait-ul-Mal (Public Treasury) to burn a lamp at night for his personal needs. Whenever he finished the official work he put off the lamp. He used to patrol in the city at night to find out the needs and requirements, and conditions of the people. He did not hesitate to take his wife to work as a midwife for a poor woman. The salary he got from the Bait-ul-Mal was so low that it was hardly enough for him and his family's needs. When some of the eminent Muslims requested him to increase the amount he, said, "The Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) has left a standard by his personal example. I must follow him".

Hadrat Umar was the most just ruler in the Islamic History. All the citizens, including the Caliph himself, were equal before law. Once he appeared before a court at Medina to clarify his position against a complaint. The Qadi (Judge) wanted to stand in his honour, but he did not allow him to do so, so that there would be no distinction between him and an ordinary person before Law. He was really the founder of modern democratic system.

In short he was the best example of an ideal character, and was the greatest "Khalifah" of Islam after Abu Bakr (Raziallah Anho). He selflessly devoted his whole energy for the cause of Islam. Muslims will always be indebted to him for his great achievements. As a matter of fact a separate book is required to describe his character and his services to Islam.[/SIZE]

Umar's services to Islam before his Khilafat (Caliphate)
 

[SIZE="2"]Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) had great love for Allah and the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). He participated in almost all the big battles: Badr, Uhad, Ahzab, Khaibar, Hunain etc. In the expedition to "Tabuk" he gave half of his wealth in the path of Allah. He was next to Hadrat Abu Bakr (Raziallah Anho) to sacrifice his belongings for the cause of Allah.

The Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) also had a deep love for him. Once he remarked, "were a prophet to come after me, he would have been Umar". In another Hadith mentioned in Bukhari, Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Raziallah Anho) narrated that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu'alaihi wa Sallam) said, "In Bani Isra'il (Israelites) there were people who were not prophets but talked to Allah. Were anyone in my Ummah (people) like those persons, he would be Umar".

The death of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) was a great shock to him, and he could not believe it until Hadrat Abu Bakr (Raziallah Anho) reminded him of a clear verse of the Holy Qur'an on the subject. He then went to the Council Hall along with Hadrat Abu Bakr (Raziallah Anho) where the people of Medina had assembled to select the First Caliph. Hadrat Umar (Raziallah Anho) was the first person to pledge loyalty(Bai'at) at the hand of Hadrat Abu Bakr(Raziallah Anho), and then helped him throughout the duration of his rule.[/SIZE]

Umar's acceptance of Islam
 

[SIZE="2"]It was the sixth year of Holy Prophet's mission when Quraish leaders called a meeting and asked a volunteer for the assassination of the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) Umar offered himself for this job and everybody in the meeting exclaimed that he was the right person for it. While he was on his way with a sword in his hand he met Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas who enquired of him about his destination. Umar told him that he was going to murder the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). After some discussion Sa'd said, "You had better take care of your own family first. Your sister and brother-in-law both have accepted Islam". Hearing this Umar changed his direction and went straight to his sister's house. When Hadrat Umar knocked at the door, they were studying the Holy Qur'an from Hadrat Khabbab (Raziallah Anho). His sister Fatimah was frightened on hearing Umar’s voice and tried to hide the portion of the Holy Qur'an she was reciting. When Umar entered the house he enquired about their Islam and on finding that they had accepted Islam, he first fell upon his brother-in-law and beat him severely. When his sister intervened he smote her so violently on her face that it bled profusely. On this his sister burst out: "Do whatever you like, we are determined to die as Muslims". When Umar saw his sister bleeding, he cooled down and felt ashamed. He loved Fatimah very much but could not tolerate her conversion to Islam. However, deeply moved, Umar asked her to show the pages on which the Holy Qur'an was written. But she was, after all, Umar’s sister and told him straight, "You can not touch it unless you take a bath and make yourself clean" He washed his body and then read the leaves. That was the beginning of Surah Ta Ha (Chapter 20 of the Holy Qur'an). When he came to the verse:

"Lo! I even I, am Allah, there is no god save Me. So serve Me and establish Salat for My remembrance". (20:14)

Umar exclaimed, "Surely this is the Word of Allah. Take me to Muhammad (Sallallahu ’alaihi wa Sallam)".

On hearing this Hadrat Khabbab (Raziallah Anho), who had hidden himself in the house, came out from inside and said, "0 "Umar! Glad tidings for you. It seems that the prayer of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa Sallam) which he said last night has been answered in your favour. He had prayer to Allah: "O Allah, strengthen Islam with either Umar b. Khattab or Umar b. Hisham whomsoever Thou pleaseth".

Umar then went to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ’alaihi wa Sallam). On seeing him, the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) asked him, "Umar! what brings you here”? He said, "I am here to accept Islam". Hearing this the Muslims shouted with joy, "Allahu Akbar"(Allah is the Greatest) and the sound rent the air of Makkah. As a matter of fact, Umar’s conversion to Islam was a terrible blow to the morale of the disbelieves. 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud, a great Companion, says, "Umar's conversion to Islam was a great triumph, his emigration to Medina a tremendous reinforcement and his accession to Caliphate a great blessing for the Muslims". In some history books there are more details in this connection. I have followed the version of Shaikh Muhammad Zakariya (Damat Barakatuhu) given in his book " Hikayat-i-Sahabah".[/SIZE]

Umar(RA)the great Life Before Islam
 

[SIZE="2"]Umar (Raziallah Anho) belonged to "'Adi" family of Quraish tribe. In the 8th generation, his lineage joins with the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). Abu Hafs was his patronymic name and "al-Faruq" his title given by the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam). He was born in 583 A.C., about forty years before the great Hijrah. The early life of Hadrat Umar is not known in detail. In his youth he was a famous wrestler and orator, and a spirited person. He was one among the few people in Makkah who knew reading and writing before Islam. His main occupation was business.

When the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) got revelation and invited people to Islam, Umar became the sworn enemy of Islam and the Holy Prophet (Sal Allaho Alehe Wassallam) and did not hesitate to harm the Muslims and Islam at every opportunity.[/SIZE]

Sahih Hadees about Umar(RA) the Great
 

[B]Volume 4, Book 56, Number 675:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Amongst the people preceding you there used to be 'Muhaddithun' (i.e. persons who can guess things that come true later on, as if those persons have been inspired by a divine power), and if there are any such persons amongst my followers, it is 'Umar bin Al-Khattab."[/SIZE]
[B]
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 14:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated 'Amr bin Al-As:
The Prophet deputed me to read the Army of Dhat-as-Salasil. I came to him and said, "Who is the most beloved person to you?" He said, " 'Aisha." I asked, "Among the men?" He said, "Her father." I said, "Who then?" He said, "Then 'Umar bin Al-Khattab." He then named other men.[/SIZE]
[B]
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 20:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Muhammad bin Al-Hanafiya:
I asked my father ('Ali bin Abi Talib), "Who are the best people after Allah's Apostle ?" He said, "Abu Bakr." I asked, "Who then?" He said, "Then 'Umar. " I was afraid he would say "Uthman, so I said, "Then you?" He said, "I am only an ordinary person.[/SIZE]
[B]
SUBHANALLAH, this shows the greatness of Hazrat Ali RAA[/B]

[B]Volume 5, Book 57, Number 24:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Anas bin Malik:
The Prophet once climbed the mountain of Uhud with Abu Bakr, 'Umar and 'Uthman. The mountain shook with them. The Prophet said (to the mountain), "Be firm, O Uhud! For on you there are no more than a Prophet, a Siddiq and two martyrs.[/SIZE]

[B]Volume 5, Book 57, Number 26:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
While I was standing amongst the people who were invoking Allah for Umar bin Al-Khattab who was lying (dead) on his bed, a man behind me rested his elbows on my shoulder and said, "(O 'Umar!) May Allah bestow His Mercy on you. I always hoped that Allah will keep you with your two companions, for I often heard Allah's Apostle saying, "I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar were (somewhere). I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar did (something). I, Abu Bakr and 'Umar set out.' So I hoped that Allah will keep you with both of them." I turned back to see that the speaker was Ali bin Abi Talib.[/SIZE]
[B]
Volume 5, Book 57, Number 29:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Abu Huraira:
While we were with Allah's Apostle he said, "While I was sleeping, I saw myself in Paradise, and suddenly I saw a woman performing ablution beside a palace. I asked, 'For whom is this palace?' They replied, 'It is for 'Umar.' Then I remembered 'Umar's Ghira (self-respect) and went away quickly." Umar wept and Said, O Allah's Apostle! How dare I think of my ghira (self-respect) being offended by you?[/SIZE]

[B]Volume 5, Book 57, Number 40:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "While I was sleeping, the people were presented to me (in a dream). They were wearing shirts, some of which were merely covering their (chests). and some were a bit longer. 'Umar was presented before me and his shirt was so long that he was dragging it." They asked, "How have you interpreted it, O Allah's Apostle?" He said, "Religion."[/SIZE]

FINANCE AND ECONOMICS of Umar(RA) the great
 

[SIZE="2"]The Caliph paid great attention to improving the state finances which was placed on a sound footing. He had established the Diwan (FINANCE DEPARMENT) to which was entrusted (handed over) the administration of revenues. The income of the common wealth was derived from three sources (1) Zakat levied (charged) on a gradual scale on all Muslims possessing means, (2) Kharaj (Land Tax) levied on zimis, (3) Jazia (Protection Tax) levied on non-Muslims. The last two payments for which the Muslims have been much condemned by the western historians were realized in the Roman and Persian Empires. The Muslims only followed the old precedents in this respect. The taxes realized from the non-Muslims were far less burdensome than those realized from the Muslims.

Islam laid greater emphasis on the equitable and fair distribution of wealth. Hoarding the wealth is against the teachings of Islam. The second Caliph thoroughly followed this golden principle of Islam. He founded Baitul Mal (PUBLIC TREASURY) whose main function was distribution rather than accumulation of wealth. The Caliph himself took very little from the Baitul Mal. His ancestral occupation was business. Naturally he had to be paid some honorarium for his exalted (approved) office. The matter was referred to the special committee in which the opinion of Hazrat Ali was accepted that the Caliph should get as much honorarium from the Baitul Mal as would suffice for the necessities of an ordinary citizen. The Caliph fixed the rates of land revenue according to the type of the land. While he charged four dirhams on one jarib of wheat, he charged two dirhams for the similar plot of barley. Nothing was charged for the pastures (fields) and uncultivated lands. In this way he systematized the fixation of revenues, which, before his time was charged haphazardly (unevenly). Different rules were framed for the revenues of Egypt, whose agricultural output depended on the flood of the Nile. According to reliable historical sources, the annual revenue of Iraq amounted to 860 million dirhams, an amount which never exceeded after the death of the great Caliph though he was very lenient in his realization. The main reason behind this easy realization of the state money was that his people had become very prosperous. [/SIZE]

[B]Juri Zaidan, the famous Christian historian of Egypt pays glowing tribute to the achievements of
Umar in the following terms:[/B]
[SIZE="2"]
“In his time various countries were conquered, spoils were multiplied, the treasures of the Persians and Roman Emperors were poured in streams before his troops and nevertheless he himself marked a degree of soberness and moderation which was never surpassed. He addressed the people dressed in a garment patched with leather. He was himself the first to practice what he preached. He kept a vigilant eye over his Governors and Generals and enquired strictly into their conduct. Even the Great Hazrat Khalid bin Walid (The Sword of Allah) was not spared. He was just to all mankind and was kindly even to the non-Muslims. Iron discipline was maintained everywhere during his reign.” [/SIZE]

[B]
JIS SE JIGAR I LALA ME THANDAK HO WHO SHABNAM
DARYAON KE DIL JIS SE DAHEL JAEN WHO TOOFAN[/B]

[B][COLOR="Magenta"]LIKE THE DEW WHICH COOLS THE HEART OF LILY AND
LIKE THE STORM WHICH SHAKES THE HEART OF RIVERS[/COLOR][/B]

conquests in His(RA) Life time
 

[B][SIZE="3"]In Farooq-e-Azam(RA) lifetime the following conquests were completed:[/SIZE][/B]

[B]Fall of Damasucus in 14/635

Fall of Fahl in 14/635

Fall of Hims in 14/635

Fall of Balbak and Basrah

Fall Ublah and the bridge of Abi Ubydiah in Najran in 14 /635

Fall of Yarmouk in 15/636

Fall of all of the Jordan except of Tabarias in 15 /635

The Battle of Yarmouk in 15 / 635

The Battle of Qadisyah in 15 /636,

In 16 /637

Battle of Jaljulah and Qansreen

Fall of Ahoz

Fall of Madain

Fall of Jerusalem in 16/637

Fall of Jazirah in 16/637

In 17/638

Fall of Hims again in 17/638

Fall of Hurmuz in 17/637

In 18/638

The City of Kufah is built in 18/639

The great Plague of Amwas, Abu Ubydaih bin al-Jarah dies and many Muslim soliders.

In 19/640

Fall of Qaisariah in 19/640

Battle of Sohab in 19 /640

Fall of Takrit in 19/640

An Army is sent Aremina in 19/640

In 20 /641

Fall of Egypt in 20 /641

Fall of North Africa

Fall of Alexandria in 21/642

Fall of Nahwind in 21/641

Fall of Khorasan in 21/641

Fall of Antioch and Qalqalyia Pecefuly.

Fall of Adharbaijan in 22 /642

Fall of Masbithan in 22/642

Fall of Hamathan in 22 /642

Fall of Tabaristan in 22 /643

Fall of Armenia in 22 /643

Fall of Jarjan in 22/643

Fall of Koos and Raiy in 22/643

Fall of Tripoli (North Africa) in 22/643

Fall of Fars in 23/644

Fall of Kirman in 23/644

Fall of Sajastan in 23/644

Fall of Makran in 23/644

Fall of Khurasan (including Khawarazm, Farghanah, Takharistan) in 23/644[/B]

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Magenta"]The martyrdom of Umar (RA)
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="2"]
Umar (RA) used to always make Du’a to Allah that ‘Oh Allah please grant me martyrdom in the blessed city of Madina.’ His daughter would always enquire that my father, how can you be granted martyrdom in the city of the Muslims when there are no disbelievers around and there is no war taking place. Yet Umar (RA) had faith in Allah and continued his Du’a.

During his last days a Jewish slave came to Umar (RA) to ask him to intercede on his behalf to his master in relation to his payments. Umar (RA) told him to fear Allah and be happy with what he has, but in his head he had the intention of going and speaking to the master and interceding on his behalf. However, the slave was upset at Umar’s (RA) response.

One day during Fajr time this Jewish slave came into the Masjid with a double edged dagger that had been dipped in poison and as Hazrat Umar (RA) started to lead the Salah, the slave came and stabbed him in the back and in the stomach at which Hazrat Umar (RA) collapsed. The prayer was completed by another Sahaba and then a little while after Umar (RA) passed away.

This is how his Du’a was accepted by Allah. Who would have thought that the leader of the Muslims can be martyred by a Jew in the Masjid of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

It is said that the clothes Umar (RA) was wearing at the time of his death had over 10 patches on it. Imagine how the Kings of the world would dress and look at the way in which Hazrat Umar (RA) who was the leader of a vast emerging Muslim empire used to dress![/SIZE]

Hazrat Umar (RA) cried
 

[B][SIZE="3"][COLOR="Magenta"]Hazrat Umar (RA) cried[/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

[SIZE="2"]One day Umar ibn al-Khattab came into the house of the Prophet (sallallahu-alayhi-wasallam) to find him lying on a simple mattress which left its marks on his body. There was very little else to be found in the room other than a few meagre articles. Seeing this stark austerity, Hazrat Umar started to sob.

'Why are you crying, O Umar', said the Prophet.

'I thought of Caesar and Chosroes sitting on thrones of gold, wearing silk. And you are the messenger of God, yet here you are sitting on this simple mattress.'

'O Umar', said the Prophet, 'are you not satisfied that they have this world and we have the next?'

Sadly, it is the SUNNAH of simplicity in living and the SUNNAH of being detached from objects of worldly pomp and show and the SUNNAH of giving preference to the Hereafter over the world that Muslims are neglecting so badly in today's world.[/SIZE]

[B]It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir that the Holy Prophet said:[/B]

[SIZE="2"]“Allah chose my Companions over everything else in existence except for the Prophets and the Messengers. He subhaanahu wa ta’ala chose four of them for me: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, ‘Ali. He made them my best Companions, and all of my Companions are good.” [Al-Bazzar and Ad-Daylami]

The Holy Prophet also said:

“Whoever loves ‘Umar has loved me. Whoever hates ‘Umar hates me.” [At-Tabarani]

Hazrat Ibn Abbas narrates that the Holy Prophet said:

“There is no angel in the heaven that does not respect ‘Umar and no shaytan on the earth but that he is afraid of ‘Umar .”[/SIZE]