A Just Instruction for the Meals of the Soldiers
One day, Hazrat Bilal (ra) complained, “O Leader of the Faithful! Our Officers-in-Charge eat the fowl’s meat and white bread, whereas the general Muslim population eats ordinary food.”
Hazrat Umar (ra) enquired from the officers and they submitted, “Everything is very cheap here. For the price we pay for brown bread and dates in Hejaz, we can acquire fowl’s meat and white bread.”
Hazrat Umar (ra) did not compel the officers to refrain from this food, but he did issue an instruction that in addition to their share from the spoils of war and salaries, the meals for every soldier must also be provided.
Another detail of this is mentioned in another source as follows:
Hazrat Yazid (ra) bin Abi Sufyan stated, “The market price here is quite cheap and for the same cost we can buy provisions to last us a month. The food items mentioned by Bilal can be easily acquired here.” Hazrat Umar Al-Farooq (ra) stated, “If that is the case then eat to your fill. However, I will not leave from here until you present me with a list of commodities and their prices. I will prepare a budget for the Muslims facing straitened circumstances who dwell in the cities and villages. Subsequently, according to this budget, whatever needs the Muslims have, can be acquired from it and each household will be provided with wheat, barley, honey, olive, etc.”
Hazrat Umar (ra) then addressed the Muslims, who were faced with straitened circumstances and were not well-off, saying:
“Your leaders will continue to provide for you from this list which I have prepared for you. And this will be in addition to whatever I send you from the bait-ul-mal [treasury]. However, if any of your leaders fail to provide you with these provisions, then you should inform me and I will remove that person from their post.”