THE SPEECH GIVEN BY UMAR WHEN HE BECAME CALIPH
It was reported that two days after Umar was appointed as caliph, the people started talking and saying how worried they were about his harshness punishments, so Umar realized that he had to clarify the matter himself. He ascended the rostrum
(minbar) and addressed them, describing how the Prophet (prayers and peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr had been pleased with Umar when they died. Then he said:
“I have been appointed as your leader, O’ people, so understand that this harshness has become less, and it will only be applied to wrongdoers and oppressors. I will not permit anyone to oppress anyone else or to transgress the rights of
others, but I will put his cheek on the ground and until he submit to the truth. In contrast to that former harshness of mine, I will lay my own cheek on the ground before those who are humble and modest. O’ people, I make some promises to you, which I will mention so that you will hold me to them. I promise that I will not take anything of your taxes or of the booty (faya’) that Allah grants to you, except in the proper manner. I promise you that whatever I take, I will not spend it except in the proper manner. I promise you that I will increase your stipends, if Allah wills, and I will protect your boarders. I promise you that I will not throw you into dangerous places or keep you away from your families for a long time in order to guard the boarders. When you are away in military campaigns, I will be responsible for your children until you come back.
Fear Allah O’ slaves of Allah, and try to help me by keeping your evil away from me and by enjoining what is good and what is evil and by giving me sincere advice with regard to the way I am running your affairs. I say these words of mine and I ask Allah to forgive me and you.” (Majdalawi, 1998: 106).
From this speech we can perceive clearly the method that Umar followed in his rule, from which he never deviated.
Source: (The Series of: Men and Women Around Muhammad)
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