Salwa Almoayyed

Companions Othman ibn Affan, Ali ibn Abi-Talib and Abdullah ibn Omar, may Allah be pleased with them, supported Omar ibn Al-Khattab's diligence concerning the distribution of conquered lands. Omar wanted to achieve justice and the best interest of the Muslim nation both under his rule and in the future.

Ali ibn Abi-Talib explained to the angry warriors the logic of Caliph Omar behind denying them four fifths of war spoils, asserting that Omar wanted to achieve the major objectives of Islamic Sharia Law, backed up by Quran verses. Ali ibn Abi-Talib cited the verses in Chapter Al-Hashr that explain in detail the way to distribute whatever war booty the Muslim armies gain. These are verses 7, 8 and 9, where Allah says, "Whatever gains God has turned over to His Messenger from the inhabitants of the villages belong to God, the Messenger, kinsfolk, orphans, the needy, the traveler in need- this is so that they do not just circulate among those of you who are rich––so accept whatever the Messenger gives you, and abstain from whatever he forbids you. Be mindful of God: God is severe in punishment. (7) The poor emigrants who were driven from their homes and possessions, who seek God’s favor and approval, those who help God and His Messenger- these are the ones who are true- [shall have a share]. (8) Those who were already firmly established in their homes [in Medina], and firmly rooted in faith, show love for those who migrated to them for refuge and harbor no desire in their hearts for what has been given to them. They give them preference over themselves, even if they too are poor: those who are saved from their own souls’ greed are truly successful. (9)"

Omar and Ali agreed that these verses encompassed all Muslims and that every Muslim had a right to these spoils of war and lands that had come under Muslim rule.

After consulting and gaining support from the Ansar of Medina and the Emigrants of Mecca, Omar imposed Jizya (a tax) on adherents of other religions in the conquered lands that received Islam approvingly. Non-Muslims were exempted from military service and engaging in war to spread Islam, but any one of them who joined the army was exempted from paying Jizya. Besides, Omar exempted elderly and poor non-Muslims from paying Jizya, and even paid them pensions.

Omar ibn Al-Khattab also consulted Ali ibn Abi-Talib as well as the Companions, the Emigrants and the Ansar, and agreed with them to leave the lands conquered by the Muslim armies for their original owners to invest in them and pay a tax for the Muslim State. On the other hand, Muslims paid Zakat (Obligatory Charity) on their trade and crops throughout the Muslim State.

Omar ibn Al-Khattab's high esteem of Ali ibn Abi-Talib during the former's Caliphate was as clear as the sun and contradicts all the false allegations that try to distort their marvelous relationship. The clearest evidence on that is that Omar made Ali his chief advisor and consulted him regarding so many issues that faced him as Caliph.

*The expenses of Caliph Omar

After assuming the Caliphate, Caliph Omar did not assign any salary for himself until he started getting poor. Before becoming ruler, Omar earned a living through working in trade, but after assuming the Caliphate, he got too busy to see to his trade, so he had to abandon it.

Omar consulted the Companions of Prophet Muhammad to decide how much salary should he take from the treasury to support himself and his family. Othman ibn Affan said, "Enough to support you and show hospitality to your guests and the poor". Companion Sa'id ibn Zaid supported Othman's opinion.

Omar ibn Al-Khattab then sought opinion from his advisor Ali ibn Abi-Talib, who said, "Take what suffices you and your children in a fair manner". Yet, regarding the matter of spending from the public treasury, Omar was very hard on himself as well as on his wife and children, following in the footsteps of the honorable Prophet.

Omar's children complained to their sister Hafsah, the wife of Prophet Muhammad, that their father, Caliph Omar, was very hard on them and did not give them from the abundant wealth that poured over Medina from the conquests. Omar said to her he followed the example of his two companions, the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr As- Siddiq.

Then Omar went out and addressed the people saying, "I will tell you what I take for myself from Allah's money (Muslim Treasury). I take two pieces of garments; one for the winter and one for the summer, a ride to go to Pilgrimage and Lesser Pilgrimage on, and what secures my family the food of the average Quraishite man, not the richest nor the poorest. Other than that, I am like any other Muslim and I earn an equal share like anyone of you." Then Omar explained, "I deal with Muslims' treasury as I would with the wealth of an orphan: I would manage without it if I can, and when I really need to take from it, I take in a fair manner ".

Omar said that during a time when wealth and treasures were pouring onto the Muslim State because of the conquests, but Caliph Omar wanted to meet his Lord clean from any sins. The Quran explains that public wealth is only for the people and for developing the state. It is not the property of the ruler and his family, and they will be held accountable for that on Judgment Day. TO BE CONTINUED