Hazrat Umar (ra) Establishes Prison and Security System

Hazrat Umar (ra) also established formal prisons. Prior to this, there was no concept of prisons as such. Criminals would also receive severe punishments. Hazrat Umar (ra) also established the treasury. Prior to the era of Hazrat Umar (ra), whatever wealth was received would be immediately distributed. During the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), a house was purchased and dedicated for the treasury. However, this remained closed as whatever wealth was received would immediately be distributed. In the 15th year after Hijra, an amount of 500,000 was received from Bahrain and upon this, Hazrat Umar (ra) consulted the companions as to what should be done with it. One suggestion was that in the royal courts in Syria, they had a treasury. Hazrat Umar (ra) liked this suggestion and laid the foundation for a treasury in Medina. Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Arqam was appointed as the supervisor of the treasury. Later on, treasuries were established outside of Medina as well as in the headquarters of all the other provinces. Hazrat Umar (ra) would construct buildings within a limited budget; however, he would build extremely strong and magnificent buildings for the treasuries. Later on, Hazrat Umar (ra) also appointed security guards for the treasuries.

(Al-Farooq, Shibli Naumani, pp. 203- 205, Idaara Islamiyyat, Karachi, 2004)

In other words, a formal system of security was established for this. Hazrat Umar (ra) would personally safeguard the money of the treasury. An incident is recorded in history that a freed slave of Hazrat Uthman (ra) bin Affan relates that it was extremely hot one day and he was accompanying Hazrat Uthman (ra) and they were with his cattle at a place called Aliyah. Aliyah is a valley at a distance of four to eight miles from Medina and in the direction of Najd. Hazrat Uthman (ra) saw a man walking and was taking two young camels along with him.