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
Dec 21, 2015
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
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.