Hazrat Umar Farooq — Page 31
explain how he had accumulated that wealth. He replied, “Ameer-ul-Momineen, part of the wealth came from the sale of my horses. Moreover I received presents. I haven’t applied any illegal means to collect the money. ” Hearing this explanation Hadhrat Umar was satisfied. On another occasion when the Governor of Yemen Province came to Madinah, he was dressed in expensive clothes. Hadhrat Umar disliked it. He called him and said that the officials of the government should wear simple clothes so as not to alienate themselves from the common people. BAIT-UL-MAAL OR TREASURY. During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet there was no need of setting up a treasury, as the wealth which came from outside was distributed amongst Muslims by the Holy Prophet straightaway. Hadhrat Abu Bakr, too, did not find any need to set up a treasury as he also distributed whatever was received from outside. During the time of Hadhrat Umar, however, when large sums of money and other valuables started coming to Madinah, Hadhrat Usmaan approached Hadhrat Umar and suggested that a treasury be set up to store the wealth and valuables which were left over after giving the allowances. Hadhrat Umar agreed to this proposal and thus the first treasury was set up in Madinah and afterwards in other cities as well. Wealth was coming in Madinah from four different sources: 1) Booty from war when a land was conquered. 2) Jizyah- a tax from Non-Muslims as they were exempt from military service. 3) Land tax 4) Zakat- a kind of levy for Muslims only. Strong buildings were built for the treasury and they were well guarded. Honest and pious people were employed to deal with the accounts. In Madinah, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Arqam, a famous Companion of the Holy Prophet, who was known for his honesty and piety, was appointed in charge of the treasury. A number of capable men were also appointed to assist him in his work. Hadhrat Umar took all the necessary precautions to guard the wealth and livestock kept in the Bait-ul- Maal. Once someone reported to Hadhrat Umar that a camel belonging to the Bait-ul-Maal went missing. It was an extremely hot afternoon. Hadhrat Umar went in search of the camel. Hadhrat Usmaan met him on the way and suggested that Ameer-ul-Momineen should have sent someone else to look for the camel. Hadhrat Umar replied, “I am answerable to God Almighty for that camel on the Day of Judgement, therefore I should go myself and find that camel. ” SYSTEM OF STATE ALLOWANCES 31