Ideal Islamic Society

How ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz established an ideal Islamic Society.

By Sadiah Faray, Zuwairah Baba and Hawa Tufa

VCE Religion and Society Presentation – 2003

Teacher: Mr Salifu Baba

CONTENTS

Background

Education and Achievements

Period before ‘Umar’s Caliphate

Period of ‘Umar’s Caliphate

Revival of Islam

BACKGROUND

Born approximately 50 years after Prophet Muhammed (SAW)’s death

His mother was the grand daughter of Hadhrat ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (the 2nd Caliph)

Born of a royal family, father was an important figure in the Egyptian provinces

Earning 50 000 pounds annually

BACKGROUND

‘Umar lived like a grandee

His food, dress and habits were that of a prince’s

His lifestyle at the time did not hint any of the tasks he would undertake in his later years

EDUCATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Training in Hadith and Fiqh

First-rate Muhaddith

Authority on Fiqh

What impelled ‘Umar to act

‘Umar was confronted with obstacles of un-Islam brought about by his own immediate family elders

A general moral degeneration had set in all the Muslim countries involving all classes of society.

What impelled ‘Umar to act

The collective life of the people did not bear any impression of the guidance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah

The lives of luxury led by the ruling few and greed had caused many people a grave economic set-back and the levying of undue taxes had made their lives all the more miserable.

What impelled ‘Umar to act

Such were the conditions when ‘Umar iinherited the throne when he was 37 years old.

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Processes involved in establishing an ideal

Islamic society by “Umar ibn Abdul Aziz

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

He declared that people were not bound, but free to elect anybody they pleased as their Caliph.

The people were only willing to elect him as their leader

Straight away he dismissed the false ruling pride, court practices of worldly kings and pledged himself to a simple life of a Caliph

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Levelled the royal household to that of the common Muslims

All estates in the possession of the royal family, including his own, were returned to the public treasury

Unlawfully seized property was returned to their rightful owners

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Umar’s annual income of 50 000 pounds was reduced to 200 pounds

He rejected all monetary reward for his services as Caliph

After setting the house hold affairs in order, he turned to reform the government system

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

He removed unjust governors and launched a search for righteous men to replace them

Obliged all despotic government officials to adhere to justice and peace

He abolished all unlawful taxes and re-organised the system of collecting Zakat

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Granted non-Muslims their rights and privileges under the Shari’ah

He enforced the Islamic principles of equity and fair-paly over the shadows of the unjust royal influence

He revived the true spirit of practising the Shari'ah

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Arranged for education of the masses

Drew attention to Qur'an sciences, Hadith and Fiqh

As a result, he succeeded in generating a powerful intellectual movement and eventually produced the four great Imams

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

He enforced total prohibition and discouraged all ease-loving tendencies left from the rule of the monarch

Thus he achieved the purpose for which Islam endeavours to establish its rule:

“When we give them authority in the earth, they strive to establish Salat, make arrangements for the collection of Zakat, enforce good and forbid evil.” (22:41)

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

‘It is related that during the reign of Waleed, people would meet and talk about buildings and gardens, under Sulaiman bin Abdul Malik their main interest was sex, but when ‘Umar bin ‘Abdul ‘Aziz became Caliph, conditions quickly changed and Salat, Fasting and the Quran became the popular subjects for conversation.’

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Non-Muslims were so impressed that they embraced Islam in thousands

Even the neighbouring non-Muslims willingly embraced Islam

In those days, the Roman Empire was at arms with Islam for a century or so

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

Even they (Romans) were so impressed with the high morality displayed by ‘Umar that when ‘Umar died the Roman Emperor is reported to have said:

“I should not be the least surprised if a monk renounces the world and busies himself in worship behind closed doors. But I am simply amazed at this man who had a vast empire at his feet, but he rejected it and lived the life of a monk”

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul ‘Aziz was the first Mujaddid of Islam and did work for more than two and a half years to revolutionise life in all its various aspects

The Umayyads felt threatened by this man that they conspired against him to his death by poisoning him at the young age of 39

‘UMAR’S CHALIPHATE

He cleansed the social life of the Muslims of the evil influence left by the Umayyads and prepared them morally and intellectually to burden the responsibilities of leadership and revival,

‘Umar covered every aspect in reviving Islam,

However he remained deficient in one area: he could not abolish monarchy.

GROUP WORK

1. Identify and discuss the features of an ideal school.

2. Can Minaret College be turned into an ideal Islamic school? If “yes”, please go to the next question. If your answer is “no”, please explain why.

3. What are the processes involved in establishing such a school?