Khilafat Centenary Souvenir 1908-2008 — Page 50
Khilafat Centenary after his migration to Yathrib (Medina), Hadhrat Uthmanra bought 'Bi'r-i-Rumah' a well of sweet water for twenty- thousand Dihrams and gifted it to the Muslims. He says "That was the first trust ever made in the history oflslam" (Khan, pp. 129, 130). Najibabadi reports that during a famine in the reign of Hadhrat Abu Bakrr a, Hadhrat Uthman ra imported grain equivalent to the cargo of a thousand camels and distributed it freely among the afflicted people. The traders of the area offered him an attractive price for all consignment, but he did not change his mind (Najibabadi, p. 363). As a Khalifa, Hadhrat Uthman ra not only presided over a vast empire, he did so for the longest period among the Rightly Guided Khulafa. He supervised many projects of public good, for example, setting up of alms houses, sinking of wells, digging of canals for agricultural activities, provision of grazing grounds for pasture, including safety measures for preventing flooding of Medina. Unfortunately, the peace and tranquility of his reign was shattered by a campaign of vilification, fomented by a band of disgruntled miscreants who were led by Abdullah bin Saba, a cunning hypocrite in the guise of a new convert. The Khalifa's enemies and political opponents tried to tarnish his image, but it is gratifying to note that genuine history has preserved the real Uthmanra. 1. Human Rights in his Khilafat Like his predecessors, Hadhrat Uthman ra issued standing orders to his governors who were deputizing him in the vast empire from Morocco to Afghanistan, to maintain a good record of human rights and other principles of good governance. It is understandable that we cannot expect the efficiency of the present day bureaucracy and civil service. However, he launched effective measures to monitor the role of his officials. On his orders, an inspection team, comprised of the Holy Prophet's saw companions, visited far flung regions. The Annual Pilgrimage was another important avenue where individuals were encouraged to report their grievances for redress. Najibabadi has referred to a similar circular which Hadhrat Uthmanra sent to all major cities and towns in 655 C. E: It has been brought to my notice that some governors and officials have usurped the people's rights and have treated them unfairly. I have summoned all the governors to the annual Hajj. Any individual who has been wronged by any governor or state official should present his case to me at that time. He will be compensated adequately, there and then, after a thorough hearing. Najibabadi, page 347 It is noteworthy that not a single complaint was filed at that occasion. 2. Treatment of the Dhimmis Hadhrat Uthman ra was very particular about the Dhimmis of his empire. An incident from the province of Egypt is worth mentioning. Constantine, who succeeded Heracleus, launched a naval attack on Egypt with three hundred ships, in order to recapture Alexandria and its suburbs. Muslims put up gallant resistance and expelled the Byzantine forces. Amar bin al-As, the Uthmanic governor, meticulously estimated all the monitory and material losses of the Dhimmis (Christians) and made adequate compensation. That benign policy naturally won the hearts of the Dhimmis. Lippman has correctly assessed that situation: These superannuated powers were unable to command the loyalty of the people who lived under their dominion, such as Egyptians, who actually welcomed the Arabs as liberators. Lippman, p. 108 He further writes: But probably the most important reason is that the Arabs left in place the infrastructure and administrative systems of the communities they conquered, and they ref rained from imposing their habits or their faith on reluctant subjects. They occupied but did not destroy; they subdued, but did not crush. Their rule was therefore tolerated and even welcomed, not resisted. Lippman, pages 109, 110 3. Dislike of the use of force Hadhrat Uthman ra was a man of soft and clement heart, who abhorred bloodshed. Rebels and miscreants instigated by Ibn -e- Saba besieged his residence in Medina. Many Medinite elders had gone to Mecca for Hajj. Abdullah bin Zubairra, Abu Hurairah ra , and other companions begged him to use