Hazrat Umar Farooq — Page 28
C H A P T E R 4 GOLDEN DEEDS OF HADHRAT UMAR Not only did Hadhrat Umar conquer the mighty Persian and Roman Empires, but also he made them into one nation and established a strong administration. Every person, whether he is a Muslim, Christian or Jew lived in peace. There was no compulsion in religious matters as everyone had freedom to practice his faith. Hadhrat Umar won battles, not to spread Islam by sword, but to establish peace in the land and to bring to an end the mischief of the opponents. Therefore it is not correct to say that Islam was spread by force. In fact when the people belonging to other faiths saw the beauty of the teachings of Islam and the character of the people who followed it, they accepted Islam. The people of those countries, which were conquered, were unhappy because of the atrocities committed against them by their own rulers. Hadhrat Umar, after occupying those lands, carried through many reforms. He divided the land into Regions, Provinces and Districts and appointed Governors to each province who ruled according to the teachings of Islam. APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNORS Whenever Hadhrat Umar appointed someone as a Governor, he would choose the most suitable and the righteous person for the post. It is related that once while he was writing an appointment order for a person, a child came running to him and sat in his lap. Hadhrat Umar began to caress the child with one hand while kept on writing with the other. Seeing this, the person remarked, “Ameer-ul-Momineen, the child seems to be enjoying your company. I have ten children and none of them dare come close to me while I am working. ” Hadhrat Umar heard this and cancelled the orders of appointment saying, “How can a person, who can’t love his own children, love the people who are put under his care?” Hadhrat Umar always advised his Governors: 1) Do not be discourteous to anyone whether he is a Muslim or a non- Muslim. 2) Do not misuse your office for your own benefit or for the benefit of your friends and relatives. He used to say, “I have not appointed you to treat people harshly. You should do justice to them at all times. You are appointed to lead the people, under your care, to the right path. You are their Imam and guide and not a cruel ruler. You should always keep your doors open to the public so that those in need can come to you for help without any hesitation. You should lead a simple life and avoid luxuries of life otherwise you will create a feeling of jealousy among the less fortunate ones. ” He had issued orders that the complaints against any of his Governors should be addressed to him personally. Whenever any complaint was received, Hadhrat Umar would make a thorough enquiry and would not hesitate to punish the guilty official. Once a person complained to him that he was whipped one hundred times by a Governor for no reason. The investigation showed that the person was innocent. Hadhrat Umar therefore authorised the person to take revenge by whipping the Governor with one hundred lashes. When the Governor came to know of Hadhrat Umar’s orders, he approached Ameer-ul-Momineen and requested him to allow him to come to a settlement with the person wronged. Hadhrat Umar gave permission at which the Governor 28