The Establishment of Shura

Shura [consultative body] was also established during Hazrat Umar’s (ra) era. Representatives from both the Muhajireen and Ansar would be present in meetings of the consultative body. The Ansar comprised of two tribes – the Aus and Khazraj – hence it was necessary for representatives from both tribes to be present. Hazrat Uthman (ra), Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Abdur Rahman (ra) bin Auf, Hazrat Mu‘az bin Jabal (ra), Hazrat Ubayy (ra) bin Kaab and Hazrat Zaid (ra) bin Thabit would also be present at these meetings. The procedure of these meetings was that a caller would make the announcement of:

اَلصَّلوٰةُ‭ ‬جَامِعَةٌ‬

meaning that everyone should gather for prayer. When people would gather, Hazrat Umar (ra) would enter Masjid Nabawi and offer two rak‘aat [units] of prayer. After completing his prayer, he would go to the pulpit and deliver a sermon, and the matter which required discussion would be presented. Subsequently, a discussion would then ensue. When it came to smaller matters pertaining to everyday life, the decision of this body would be considered sufficient; however, when a more serious matter was presented, a general meeting comprising of the Muhajireen and Ansar would be held and the matter would be settled upon everyone’s consensus. Various matters such as the army’s salary, structure of offices, appointments of governors, the freedom of foreigners to conduct business and the stipulation of tariffs would be presented and determined in the meetings of this consultative body. The meetings of the Shura would usually be held only when very important matters arose. Aside from this, there was another meeting which would speak about administrative and important matters on a daily basis. This meeting would always take place in Masjid Nabawi and only the Muhajireen Companions would take part. In the daily meetings for reports on the provinces and districts that would reach the Khalifa, Hazrat Umar (ra) would ask whether there was any other matter to be discussed and would take people’s opinion. Aside from the members of the Shura, the general population also had a say in administrative matters. It was often the case that the governor of a province or district would be appointed by the citizens. In fact, in some instances, formal elections would be held. When tax collectors were being appointed in Kufa, Basra and Syria, Hazrat Umar (ra) instructed all three provinces that they should each select and send a person who they like and who they deem to be the most trustworthy and capable among all the people.

(Al-Farooq, Shibli Naumani, pp. 180-182, Dar-ul-Ishaaat Karachi [1991])