ADMINISTRATION OF UMAR BIN AL KHATTAB
[by HAROON SAFEER]
PROVINVIAL + DISTRICT LEVEL:
8 PROVINCES SEVERAL DISTRICTS
Wali (Ameer) Amils (Chief Administrator)
CONDITIONS:
Not wear fine clothes
Not use fine flour
Not ride Turkish horses
Not keep porter at door
WRITTEN:
written undertaking to lead Islamic life
written particulars of property, wealth and assets, to compare at end of tenure
COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT:
Muhammad Bin Muslama in charge of department
Walis(Ameers) and Amils called at Makkah during Hajj: complaints noted against them and
officers dismissed if guilty
Secret reports from officers appointed to gather complaints
APPOINTMENT:
Majlis-e-Shura (Advisory Council) consulted at the appointment of officials
JUDICIAL:
1) Judiciary was separated from executive branch.
2) Qazi (Chief Judge)
High knowledge of Islamic Shariat
High status so not tempted by bribes
Not allowed to trade
Independent of provincial governors
ECONOMIC:
1) Bait ul Maal set under Abdullah bin Arqam
ADMINISTRATION OF UMAR BIN AL KHATTAB
[by HAROON SAFEER]
2) Dewan: Department of Finance
3) Conquered areas were not given to commanders, but were a state’s property. Hence, taxes were
imposed:
Jizya (poll tax)
Zakat (poor tax)
Kharaj (spoils of war)
Fay (income from crown lands)
Ushr (1/10th produce of landowners)
4) After meeting state’s expenditure, surplus was given to people on basis of principles: 1) relationship
with prophet 2) priority of conversion to Islam 3) military service
5) Currency coins issued with Arabic letters
Military + Police:
1. Jund: Military centers introduced
2. Divided army into cavalry and infantry
3. Military Officers and soldiers not allowed to buy occupied land
4. Military Officers and soldiers to live in cantonments
5. Police departments + Jails were set up
EDUCATIONAL:
1. Officers were scholars, hence governors were responsible to spread knowledge
2. Arabic Language and Arabic Literature were made compulsory studies
3. Hadith study was provided in masjids
4. For the first time, fixed salaries were given to Islamic teachers
WELFARE: (OTHER REFORMS)
1. Made Law that no Arab may acquire land in conquered areas so farmer’s land isn’t disrupted
2. Town planning: cities of Kufa and Basra build according to drawn plans
3. Muslim’s Year of Hijra Calendar initiated
4. Pension system for old people initiated
5. Building roads, highways and first Canal system initiated
6. Patrolled at streets at night for a check and balance
ADMINISTRATION OF UMAR BIN AL KHATTAB
[by HAROON SAFEER]
PAST PAPER QUESTIONS: (2009-2022)
a) Write a detailed account on administrative measures put in place by Umar during his caliphate
[10] (May/June 2011)
Mark Scheme:
Brief intro of Umar’s caliphate (Dates)
Administrative Measures:
1) Provincial + Districts
2) Judicial
3) Economic
4) Military + Police
5) Educational
6) Welfare
Conclusion (Golden Age of Muslims, Administration still used today)
b) Umar took several administrative reforms during his ten year caliphate. Write an account on
at least five of them and say how these rules make his rule so admirable [10] (May/June 2017)
Mark Scheme:
Brief intro of Umar’s caliphate (Dates)
Administrative Measures:
1. Provincial + Districts
2. Judicial
3. Economic
4. Military + Police
5. Educational
6. Welfare
(Choose any 5, add the effect of each reform as per understanding)
Conclusion (How this makes Umar’s rule so admirable)
(Compiled for Islamiat O levels, References: Ideology of Islam by Muhammad Pervaiz, O level Islamiyat
Textbook (P2) by Hammad Ibn Nishat, Islamiyat For students O’Levels by Farkhanda Noor Muhammad.
By Haroon Safeer)
