Letters of Hazrat Umer rz and Hazrat Ali rz
Letters of Hazrat Umer rz
Introduction
The period of Caliph Umar's caliphate undoubtedly is the “Golden Age” of Islam in every respect. He was
a man of extraordinary genius who not only molded the destiny of the nation but made the history of his
own. He fully followed the footsteps of the Holy Prophet. He was an exemplary administrator who
originated an efficient system of administration. He implemented Shari'ah (Divine Islamic Law) as the
code of a newly formed International Islamic State. He safeguarded the internal safety by introducing
the police force. He gave stipends to the poor and founded new cities for the growth of Islamic culture
and civilization. He improved agriculture and economics and founded the educational system. Shortly,
he was the founder of a great modern state.
* The above paragraph can be used with necessary modification for other topics like administration and
governance
Letters of Hazrat Umer rz to Different Authorities
Hazrat Umar bin Al Khattab (rz)’s letters addressed to different officials reflect the working of managing
the affairs of different groupings through the linking forces of Islam. This policy is in continuation of the
strategy applied by his predecessors Hazrat Abu Bakr rz and the Messenger of Allah. As can be seen
through the pages of history, in a few years after Hijrah, the Prophet of Allah sent letters to different
Emperors. The letters of Hazrat Umar rz written to different persons and areas were in many classical
historical books. Dr. Khursheed Ahmad F’ariq collected 454 letters and translated in Urdu language.
These letters were published in India in 1959.
1. Letters to Governors
The first category emerged from those letters which were written to governors of different
Islamic states such as Syria, Persian and Egypt. As a leader, he trusted and participated in
Participatory management his subordinates to take decisions themselves according to the
situation and encourage them on their actions and achievements and praise to motivate them.
It was coupled with their accountability and getting corrective measures for their wrongdoings.
While decision making, he considers the sayings of Prophet Muhammad also. He instructed their
governors to show kindness to people by remembering the concept of Ummah. As an
administrator, he also showed his attention for Human Resource Management for an
appointment. Therefore, he chose the best person for the job and preferred the Muslims and
look for a pious as well as a skilled person. Regarding financial management, he plans according
to Shariah law.*
* Write a Quotation from the article.
2. Letters to Assistant Governors
Hazrat Umar rz wrote letters, not only to top management such as governors, but he also
connected with middle management directly. He sent 25 letters to the assistant governors in the
areas of Syria, Yemen, Taaif, Basra, Kufa, and Bahrain. In these letters, he showed his keen
interest to link his middle management with Allah while doing the jobs. He instructed them to
care the subordinates, give priority for the welfare of the public, respect the seniors, and
obedient to law and seniors. He was also concerned for caring the government instruments. He
encouraged and motivated them by giving tangible help. He believed in teamwork and advice
his subordinates to do as same. He appointed a more skilled person on the job. While decision
making, he made the first situational analysis and then decided according to the Quran and
Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He did every job with a sense of responsibility and
accountability. Controlling is the main feature of Hazrat Umar’s management. He took corrective
measures due to the wrong act of his subordinates. Financial management of Caliph is based on
Islamic law.
* Write a Quotation from the article.
3. Letters to Commanders in chiefs
Hazrat Umar sent 79 letters to the commander in chiefs of two main fronts at that time, for
instance, Syria and Forces in Iraq. He instructed to get guidance from the Quran and Sunnah and
did himself accordingly. His training and development style towards the subordinates was
unmatchable. He used a comprehensive approach in his development and training of humans.
He continuously developed his subordinates by reminding Akhirah, to do for the cause of Islam
not for money, to avoid sins and do virtuous deeds. Regarding leadership qualities, he wrote in
his letters
“Leadership is from Allah the leader is the servant
of Allah and custodian of the ummah.” ( Hazrat
Umer rz)
4. Letters to the General Public
Hazrat Umar rz addressed directly masses of states such as public of Syria, Najran and Basra in
which he advised public for harmony among them using the concept of Ummah and convinced
them to be obedient to their leaders. While appointing or dismissal of someone, he informed
and justified his decision. He made a treaty with non-Muslims of Jerusalem which sheds light on
the art of his managing in dealing with them. In one of his letters, he gave full freedom of
religion and safety to their religious places. He also instructed Muslims to fulfill and follow
covenant, which is witnessed by Allah, prophet, leaders and Muslims. He allowed them to go to
their rural areas and revenue will not be charged until harvesting.
5. Letters to Emperors
Being a Muslim leader, he also dealt with international leaders to manage international affairs.
He wrote seven letters to Byzantine emperors such as Heraclius which showed his interest in
international affairs. These letters consisted of Dawah towards Islam, some advice and political
warning to fulfill covenant in case of release captive. He followed the footsteps of Hazrat
Muhammad and singed peace treaties with different Emperors.
6. Letters to Revenue and Tax Collector
To manage the financial resources and revenues, he appointed skilled and competent persons
such as Huzaifah bin Yaman rz in Dijlah. He sent nine letters to them. Some letters were about
the levy of Jizya (tax). He gave instructions to follow Quran and Sunnah to collect Jizya, Zakat
and Ushar. He ordered to put a levy on different agricultural outcomes. He gave all booty among
subordinates to motivation them. He believed official money does not belong to the Leader and
his family. He did corrective measures of one of his financial officers and gave justification for his
decision and dismissal due to wrongdoings. He was a keen interest in the care of subordinates.
7. Letters to Judges
Hazrat Umar’s managerial potentials are also realized to educate his appointed judges. He wrote
five letters to Abu Qurrah and Qadi Shuraih of Kufa in which he directed about the hierarchy of
decision-making process. He directed his judges about manners of the court, such as:
Do not quarrel in court.
Do not sell or buy in court.
As an administrator, he continuously got feed backs and directed them to act according to
Shariah law.
Conclusion
Concept of Public Administration in Islam
Introduction
Life of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
1. Sovereignty belongs to Allah 3:154
2. Administrator: The Custodian and Preacher of Islam
3. Public Welfare: Must be a Priority
4. Role of Masjid e Nabwi in Public Administration: An Example to Follow 3:159
5. System of accountability: Core Concept of Public Add in Islam 17:36
6. Rule of Law: The Golden Principle of PA in Islam
7. Efficiency and Efficacy
8. Charter of Madinah: Pluralistic Vision in Public add in Islam
9. Treaty of Hudaibyah: Importance of Peace in PA
10. Bait-ul-Maal: Creation of Exchequer for Public Welfare
11. Suufah: Importance of Education in PA
Concept of Good Governance in Islam
Introduction
1. Sovereignty belongs to Allah 3:154
2 Khilafat (Leadership): Amanah of Allah
3. Shura (Consultation): The guiding principle for Participation
4. Khalifa: The Custodian and Preacher of Islam
5. System of Accountability: Core Concept of Good Governance in Islam 17:36
6. Rule of Law: The Golden Principle of GG in Islam
7. Social Justice
8. Transparency
9. Public Welfare: Must be a Priority
10. Enjoining Good/Right and Forbidding Bad/Wrong
11. Quality Assurance
12. Effective and efficient Administration
