Hazrat Umar Farooq — Page 34
Many cities like Koofah, Basrah and Fustat came into existence during Hadhrat Umar’s Khilafat. The site where Basrah City stands today was a desert at that time. Originally the houses were made of mud and straw. Later permission to build brick houses was sought from Hadhrat Umar. It was also decided that no house should contain more than three rooms. As the River Tigris was flowing at a distance of about ten miles from this town, a canal was dug from the river to the town. When Madaain was conquered, the Muslim Commander Hadhrat Sa ‘ ad bin Abi Waqqaas reported to Hadhrat Umar that the climate of the city was not suitable for Muslim soldiers, and that their health was deteriorating rapidly. Hadhrat Umar instructed that they should look for a site suitable for the accommodation of the soldiers. Accordingly the site, where Koofah city is situated, was selected. Hadhrat Umar also issued instructions with regard to the plan of the city. Hadhrat Amr bin Al-Aas laid the foundation of Fustat. It was founded at a place where the city of Cairo stands today. Fustat made rapid progress and soon became a famous city. MILITARY ORGANISATION In 15 A. H Hadhrat Umar decided to organise the army. There were two types of soldiers, those who were on active service and those who were called for duty whenever there was a need. A register was kept for the regular soldiers and their pay scales were fixed. Cantonments were built in many cities, which had army barracks and stables for horses. The cities like Koofah, Basrah and Fustat were originally built for the army. It is said that at one time there were one hundred thousand soldiers in Koofah alone. Big stables containing four thousand horses, fully equipped and ready for service at short notice, were kept at military centres. In addition, army posts were built near the borders of the Empire. Military posts were also built near the sea so as to guard the coast from the enemy’s attack. Much thought was given to climate and sanitation in the layout of these cantonments and military posts. Hadhrat Umar was so anxious with regard to the site plan that he himself specified the width of the roads and lanes. The soldiers were well looked after. Those who took part in battles at places, where the climate was unsuitable for them, were sent to healthier resorts after the battle. Commanders were issued instructions that they should not put their soldiers through hardship unnecessarily. When the army was on the march it was allowed to halt on Fridays so that the soldiers can have rest and overhaul their equipment too. The day’s march was never so long as would tire out the troops. The stages were selected in such a way that water and provisions were available to them in those places. INTRODUCTION OF THE HIJRI CALENDAR Once Hadhrat Umar received a document on which the month ‘Sha ‘ baan’ was written but there was no mention of the year in which it was written. It was not clear whether the letter was written that year or the previous year. Hadhrat Umar placed the matter before Majlis-i-Shoora. Someone suggested that the Persian method be adopted where the name of the month as well as of the year was always indicated. The discussion took place as to which date the era should begin. Hadhrat Ali suggested that Islamic era should start from the Year of Migration and all present agreed to this proposal. That is how Hijri Calendar came into existence. The names of the months in a Muslim Calendar are as follows: 1. Muharram 7. Rajab. 2. Safar 8. Sha`baan 34