Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

By Naima Sohaib

Umar bin Abdul Aziz is considered to be the fifth rightly guided caliph of Islam. He ruled in the early eight century, and is known for his reforms. The Umayyad rulers before and after were interested in increasing their own power, influence and wealth. Unique among them, Umar bin Abdul Aziz brought the spirit of Islam back into the caliphate, and despite huge pressures, ended the favouritism and nepotism that had become a characteristic of the Umayyads. He withdrew illegitimate taxes, held the local governors accountable for their actions, increased the protection and rights of non-Muslim subjects, established justice, and revived the spirit of Shari'ah which had fallen to the side in the wake of the materialism that had the elite of the nation in its grip. Though his reign was short, a little over two years, he is a much beloved figure in Muslim memory and an example of how to take the right decisions in a position of power while facing immense pressure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naima Sohaib
• Release date: Aug 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370977888

Book preview

UMAR BIN ABDUL AZIZ

Naima Sohaib

Muslim Heroes series No. 3

Translated by Eman Asif Misbah

Copyright  2016 Naima Sohaib

Smashwords Edition

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, including photocopying, recording, Internet or any storage and retrieval system without prior written permission from the Publisher.

Available in print at Dawah Books

dawahbooks.com.pk

Translated from the Urdu book Tareekh-e-Islam ki Azeem Shakhsiat by Naima Sohaib

Table of Contents

Title Page

Foreword

Umar Bin Abdul Aziz - Introduction

Birth and Childhood

Education and Upbringing

Marriage

The Governership of Medina

Dismissal or Resignation

Caliphate

The Difference Between Caliphate and Kingship

The Fifth Rightly Guided Caliph

Caliphate - A Trust

The Process of Reforms and the Return of Usurped Wealth

Opposition of the Family

The Withdrawal of Illegitimate Taxes

Careful Selection of Governors and their Accountability

Protection of the Rights of Non-Muslim Subjects

Rule of Justice

Restoration of Rights of Banu Hashim

Improvements of Prisons

Revival of Shariah

Compilation of Hadith

Benevolent Works

Conquests

Death

Distinguishing Traits

References

About the Author

About the Translator

Foreword

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Few authentic books are available in English on the subject of Muslim heroes. The ones that are there focus mainly on the Companions of the Prophet (SAW). Little is known to the general masses about the great personalities who had an impact on millions of Muslims – who came after the Companions. When I read Naima Sohaib’s book on Muslim heroes, I realized that it filled a gap. I thought of translating it into English so that all segments of our society have access to it. The best part about this book is that it does not just contain stories of eminent people. It also focuses on the lessons that we need to learn from these sincere Momins – may Allah have mercy on them. This book has covered 20 Muslim heroes. Each hero is being presented as a separate booklet in English, and this is the third of the series after Ayesha (RA) and Khalid Bin Waleed (RA).

This booklet is about Umar Bin Abdul Aziz – well known as the Fifth Rightly Guided Caliph. In a short span of two and a half years he revived the period of benevolent rule that prevailed during the caliphate of Abu-Bakr Siddique (RA), Umar Farooq (RA), Usman Ghani (RA), and Ali (RA). Though he could not end the tradition of family rule, he demonstrated what an honest, competent and God-fearing individual could achieve despite all odds and intense opposition from within the ruling family. This has great lessons for Muslim rulers of all times.

I would like to thank Sana Dossal, Misbah Shakoor, and Sohaib Umar for their help with the editing and the formatting of this book, Nadeem Siddiqui for the design and my husband for his love and support.

Eeman Asif Misbah

Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

The Fifth Rightly Guided Caliph and the Mujaddid

(Reformer) of the Second Century Hijri

Introduction

His name was Umar and his kuniat Abu Hafs. Kuniat is a special name whereby the father is called after a child or a dear one. Umar Bin Abdul Aziz belonged to the royal family of Banu Umayya. His father was the son of Abdul Aziz Marwan and the prince of the family of Banu Umayya. In 65 Hijri he was appointed the governor of Egypt. He became well known because of his exceptional services as governor. His mother Umme Asim was the daughter of