Exploring the life, leadership and reforms of Hazrat Umar Ibn-Al-Khattab (RA), the Second Caliph and the architect of Islamic governance

Brought up while growing camels, Hazrat Umar (RA) was born into a poor family. However, he gained fame far and wide in Arabia due to his ingenious personality in trade and business, gradually becoming a successful merchant. Despite illiteracy being common and normal in Arabia, Umar learned to read and write in his youth years. Though not a poet himself, he developed a fondness for poetry. Following the custom of Quresh, he was also trained in martial arts, becoming a wrestler feared even by the lords of Quresh. Fond of drinking alcohol routinely, he was a man of sheer power and confidence even before accepting Islam and gaining authority as the “great” caliph.
Moving ahead in time, he became the epitome of power. Hazrat Umar Ibn-Al-Khattab became the most powerful and influential Muslim caliph the world can ever record. He belonged to the Banu Adi family tribe of Quraish in Mecca and was declared the second Caliph after Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) and a senior companion of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Hazrat Umar (RA) was called Farooq—the one who distinguishes between right and wrong. He ordered his General Hazrat Khalid bin Waleed to resign from his leadership on the battlefield. He dismissed Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqas from the governorship of Kufa, Iraq. He withdrew the governance from Hazrat Harith ibn Ka’b, ordered to confiscation of the property of Governor Umro bin AlAas, and called back the governor of Hirs, imposing a penalty by ordering him to look after camels. None of them showed a trace of denial or opposition to his command due to his reputation as a just and winning leader.
He was an orator, a flawless horse rider, and awe-strikingly confident. After Islam prevailed, Quresh made it impossible for Muslims to pray at the Kaaba. However, Umar prayed openly and fearlessly at the Kaaba while the Quraish chiefs, Amr ibn Hishām and Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, reportedly watched in anger. He even challenged anyone who dared to stop the Muslims from praying, although no one dared to interfere with Umar when he was openly praying.
“Umar’s submission to Islam was a conquest, his migration was a victory, his Imamate (period of rule) was a blessing. I have seen when we were unable to pray at the Kaaba until Umar submitted. When he submitted to Islam, he fought them (the pagans) until they left us alone, and we prayed.”
— Abd Allah ibn Mas’ud
Forming the Great Sultanate:
The government of Umar was a unitary government, where the sovereign political authority was the caliph. The empire of Umar was divided into provinces and some autonomous territories (e.g., Azerbaijan and Armenia) that had accepted the suzerainty of the caliphate. The provinces were administered by the provincial governors or Wali, personally and fastidiously selected by Umar. Provinces were further divided into about 100 districts. Each district or main city was under the charge of a junior governor or Ameer, usually appointed by Umar himself, but occasionally also appointed by the provincial governor. Other officers at the provincial level were:
Katib, the Chief Secretary
Katib-ud-Diwan, the Military Secretary
Sahib-ul-Kharaj, the Revenue Collector
Sahib-ul-Ahdath, the Police chief
Sahib-Bait-ul-Mal, the Treasury Officer
Qadi, the Chief Judge
In some districts, there were separate military officers, though the Wali was, in most cases, the Commander-in-chief of the army quartered in the province. Every appointment was made in writing. At the time of appointment, an instrument of instructions was issued with a view to regulating Wali’s conduct. On assuming office, the Wali was required to assemble the people in the main mosque and read the instrument of instructions before them.
Umar’s general instructions to his officers were: “Remember, I have not appointed you as commanders and tyrants over the people. I have sent you as leaders instead, so that the people may follow your example. Give the Muslims their rights and do not beat them lest they become abused. Do not praise them unduly, lest they fall into the error of conceit. Do not keep your doors shut in their faces, lest the more powerful of them eat up the weaker ones. And do not behave as if you were superior to them, for that is tyranny over them.”
Doesn’t it sound like the best way possible to build strong connections between authorized rulers and the state population? This is something crazily positive and influential that Hazrat Umar R.Z. developed. His empires were divided into the following provinces:
Mecca (Arabia)
Medina (Arabia)
Basra (Iraq)
Kufa (Iraq)
Jazira, in the upper reaches of the Tigris and Euphrates
Syria
Iliyā (Palestine)
Ramlah (Palestine)
Upper Egypt
Lower Egypt
Khorasan (Persia)
Azerbaijan (Persia)
Fars (Persia)
Reforms:
Hazrat Umar (RA) was a pioneer in many affairs. Reading down, you can think of these concepts as regular and common but do not forget that before Hazrat Umar, these concepts were foreign and never even idealized. He initiated the system we have around today.
He was the first to introduce the public ministry system, where the records of officials and soldiers were kept. He also kept a record system for messages he sent to Governors and heads of state.
He was the first to appoint police forces to keep civil order.
Adopted the sentence (Prayer is Better than Sleep) in Fajr Prayer.
The establishment of Bait-ul-Maal (the State’s treasury for people) was one of his major achievements.
A proper judicial system was established, where Magistrates and Judges would have courts and would decide on cases.
Army headquarters were established for the protection of the country.
Canals and roads were constructed.
The Imams, Teachers, and Moazzins were given pay in schools and Mosques.
Prisons and police stations were built.
The first Islamic Lunar calendar was established, and the Hijrah system was initiated.
Population census was made.
Welfare homes and orphanages were built.
He ordered maintaining lights in all mosques during night time.
He introduced the Canal System for agriculture and irrigation.
He first time made the Army FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) and laid the foundation of military departments and a complete organization system.
He, for the first time in the world, ordered to give funds and benefits while appointing regular salaries for infants and widows.
He, for the first time in the world, introduced the Post office system.
He, for the first time in the world, conceptualized proper uniforms for the police.
These are mere sparks of events and attributes associated with the great Caliph Umar (RA), while a tremendous history and list of achievements remain firmly recorded. This article aims to revive your faith and inspiration in our former leaders and remind you of the power of a single common and poor child who carried himself with confidence and finally acceded authority to a “magnificent” level. Read more about the magnificent Caliph Umar (RA) to gain major inspiration. Reflect practically on the good attributes of the conqueror, Umar (RA), since Ramadan is the best month to adopt lasting changes, discipline, and strength.
The writer is pursuing an MA in Islamic studies at the Central University of Kashmir and can be reached at [email protected]

Mir Sadaf Fayaz