Inspirational imagination and sublime commitment-II

Once, Hazrat Umar (RA) was passing through a market when a voice came from one side: “Will you be saved by setting a few rules for the officials? Do you know that the governor of Egypt, Ayyad bin Ghunam wears fine clothes and a guard is appointed at his door?

Hearing this, Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) immediately called Hazrat Muhammad bin Muslimah (RA) and said, Bring Ayyad in whatever condition you find him. Hazrat Muhammad bin Muslimah (RA) reached there and saw that a guard was standing at the door and Ayyad was wearing a shirt of fine cloth. Hazrat Muhammad bin Muslimah (RA) brought him in the same appearance to Madinah. Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) directed him to take off that fine dress and put on a modest one made of coarse cloth, and then asked him to take a herd of goats to the forest and graze them.

Ayyad couldn't dare refuse, but he repeatedly said: It is better to die than to face this lot. Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) said: Why are you ashamed of this? Your father was named Ghunam because he used to graze goats. However, Ayyad repented from the core of his heart and continued to perform his duties as long as he lived.

Similarly, Sayyidna Saad bin Abi Waqqas (RA) built a house in Kufa, a corridor was also built, but Sayyidna Umar Farooq Azam (RA) got it demolished as it would cause needless difficulty to the supplicants and visitors.

All these were precautions and cares which had long-lasting and far-reaching consequences and benefits. It was a common practice that at the time of the appointment of the officials, certain legitimate matters of their personal life were prohibited and a formal oath was taken regarding it. For instance: Not to ride expensive breed of horses, not to wear fine clothes, not to eat sifted flour, not to keep a guard at the door and to keep the doors opened for the needy at all times.

The thing to consider is that although clothes, horse riding, housing and food are purely legitimate matters in personal life, the State officials were bound to observe some certain checks laid on them and they were answerable in this regard. Why?

It was to maintain balance and equality in the society. State officials should be servants in the true sense and should not be distinguished from the common people. The needy should not have any obstacle or problem in contacting them. They could oppress none. They should not have any personal interest or agenda, because these restrictions bear political, religious, economic and social interests, and strategies to run and continue the system of the State with goodness and virtue, justice and fairness, impeding the way of violation whatsoever.

The matter was not limited to this. When someone was given a position, a detailed list of his property and resources was prepared and kept safe. If there was an unusual increase in his financial condition during the deployment, regular accountability and impeachment had been done. Once upon a time, some officials were guilty of rent-seeking. Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) impeached them and deposited their extraordinary wealth and means in Bait-ul-Mal (State Treasury).

What an impressive management and supervision it was! Authorities and duties were detailed in the appointment order. As per directives, it was read out in public as soon as reached at the place of appointment, so that the people should know their rights and the administrator should observe his limits In this way, the balance was maintained and no one could exceed their limit.

And this matter was not limited only to that. All the State officials were ordered to attend Makkah on the eve of Hajj. Public announcement was made in their presence that if a person had a complaint against an official, he should express it without any hesitation. People would present their complaints, which would seek redress at the spot.

Therefore, the ruling class was closely monitored in every respect. They were made to realise that they were not lords of the people, but their servants. As citizen, there is no difference between them and the common people. Rather, they had more responsibilities, emanating from their authority.

Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) had set the same standard and criterion for himself without any discrimination. He spent a very simple life, never kept a guard at his door. Common people had no difficulty in accessing him. He used to visit the courtyard of the mosque every day after every prayer, and everyone could talk to him about anything without fear or hesitation, and ask any kind of question, including about his personal life. He would respond to him satisfactorily. When he was questioned for seemingly having two sheets while others had one sheet each, he, very politely, asked his son to respond to the query. Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) said he gave his sheet to his father who was comparatively taller in height.

Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam himself asked for accountability for himself. So once Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) appeared on the pulpit and announced as a warning that if anyone knew his faults, he must let him know. At this startling announcement, a person stood up and said that you have two flaws. Hazrat Umar Farooq Azam (RA) asked what those flaws were. The man said, “You have two shirts, which you wear one after the other, and the other is that you eat more than one type of food, but it is not available to common people†. Hazrat Sayyiduna Umar Farooq Azam (RA) said: “By God, I will never don two shirts and eat two types of food†. So he kept his word till his last breath.

In the same way, once he asked Hazrat Muhammad bin Muslimah (who was very brave and truthful) about himself: “How do you find me?†In response, Hazrat Muhammad bin Muslimah said: “I look at you with admiration and fairness, you are very powerful in collecting wealth for the nation, while you are selfless and chaste with this wealth, and you act justly in the distribution of wealth. But, if ever go astray; we will set you on the right track†. Hazrat Omar Farooq Azam (RA) was very happy after hearing this answer and said: “Thanks be to Allah who has created such people in my nation that when I go astray, they put me on right path†.

Hazrat Umar’s benchmark of self-accountability was also unique and worthy of emulation. When a camel belonging to Bait-ul-Mal escaped, he began to take pains to search for himself. Someone asked him why he was taking so much pain. He would have sent a slave to search the camel. He said, “Who can be a slave like me. You don’t know how many poor people had right on that camel†. Similarly, once he fell ill and was prescribed honey as the medicine. Honey was present in Bait-ul-Mal. Despite being the head of the State, he did not take it by himself, but took permission from the Muslims in the public gathering in the Prophet’s Mosque. Thousands of such incidents are the pride of the history of Islam.

In the same way, Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA), despite being gentle in nature, never ignored any matter that had a negative impact on the principles of Islam, morals, public interest and the system of the State. Whenever a complaint was received against some official, he would take necessary action immediately, even up to dismissal.

Therefore, one of the most important officials of the State was deposed on the charge of not repaying the debt of Bait-ul-Mal. Waleed was dismissed from his position for the crime of alcoholism, and he was publically indicted. Similarly, some other governors were removed from their positions on the complaints of the subjects.

Even during his caliphate, all the administrators were called on the eve of Hajj, and a general announcement was made that anyone who has any complaint against an official should present it to him, and he would immediately redress against the complaints presented.

In the same way, Hazrat Syedna Ali (RA)’s style of governance and concept of accountability was also like that of his predecessors. He kept a strict watch on the officials and took immediate and rigorous action on every complaint. He used to calculate the income from ransom and payoff very strictly. In case of any delay, impeachment orders were issued.

Observance to all the requirements of accountability in the State of Madinah was the constant practice of the Pious Caliphs of Islam. Even if there was a complaint against some kith and kin and most important, it was decided according to the law, no matter how challenging the outcome may seem.

But alas, the atmosphere of our society is becoming more and more infested. Unaware of the result, the end and the destination, the overwhelming majority is wandering in their self-made circles, personal likes and dislikes are considered beyond the facts, and intolerance is running rampant in the society. Criticism and enmity are overshadowed. It is necessary that we should show seriousness in national decisions like in our personal decisions without any bias and personal motive. We should make honesty, competence, as well as character and piety the central point of acceptance.

What is the hope from the political leaders?

They are all mean and miserable, seeking always earthly benefits.

They are no more than a spider, hunting flies in its web.

Happy is the caravan, whose leader has inspirational imagination and sublime commitment!

(Concluded)