The Establishment of Rights of People in Medina in the Time of Hazrat Umar (ra)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) writes:

“Upon arrival in Medina, the first thing the Holy Prophet (sa) did was to form bonds of brotherhood between those who had land and property and those who did not have anything. The Ansar owned land and properties whereas the Muhajireen did not have any. The Holy Prophet (sa) established bonds of brotherhood between the Ansar and the Muhajireen in a way that each Ansar with a property was attached with a muhajir who did not have anything. Some went to such extent that aside from their wealth, if someone had two wives, they proposed to their muhajir brothers that they would be prepared to divorce one of their wives for them and they would be free to marry them.

“This was the first example of equality that the Holy Prophet (sa) established upon arrival in Medina because essentially, the Islamic government was only established in Medina. In those days, there was not an abundance of wealth, therefore the only option was to attach an affluent person with another who was poorer so that he could have enough to eat.

“Then, during one battle, the Holy Prophet (sa) adopted another method which brought about some changes. During the course of one battle, the Holy Prophet (sa) came to know that some people had nothing left to eat, or if they did, it was hardly anything sufficient, whereas some other people had plenty. Observing this situation, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘Whosoever has anything with them, they ought to bring it and collect it at one place.’ Subsequently, everything was brought and the Holy Prophet (sa) assigned rationing.

“Even here, the same principle was adopted in that everyone ought to have access to food. For as long as possible, they ate separately, but when this became impossible and there was a danger that some people would starve, the Holy Prophet (sa) forbade eating separately and instructed that food would be distributed evenly from one place. This decision was taken in light of the situation of that time, it was not the case that aspects of socialism or communism were being implemented.

“Nonetheless, the Companions said that they acted on this command so strictly that even if they had one date with them, they would deem it extremely dishonest to eat it and would be restless until they deposited it in the store. This was the second practice established by the Holy Prophet (sa). And until they experienced difficult circumstances, it remained as such and this was the practice established by the Holy Prophet (sa). Then, later in the time of the Holy Prophet (sa), they experienced affluence and Allah the Almighty blessed them with an abundance of wealth. But Allah the Almighty wished for a proper system to be established after the Holy Prophet (sa), lest people said that this system was something confined only to the Holy Prophet (sa) and nobody else could implement it after him.”

When they were blessed with wealth, the old system was established, which Allah the Almighty ensured would come into effect after [the Holy Prophet (sa)] as well.

As regards how this was achieved, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) writes:

“Hence, on the one hand, Allah the Almighty established an example through the Holy Prophet (sa), and on the other hand, upon his arrival to Medina, the Ansar presented all their wealth to the Muhajireen. The Muhajireen said that they were not prepared to take these lands without recompense. And they would work as farmers on these lands and pay them their dues. This was the desire of the Muhajireen which they expressed; however, the Ansar showed no hesitation in offering them their wealth.

This is similar to the example whereby the government is providing rations and someone does not take them. In this case, the government would be blameless. It would be declared that the government had prescribed rations and now it was up to others to accept or decline it. Similarly, the Ansar offered everything. It is a separate matter that the Muhajireen did not accept it.

“Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) had established this practice during his lifetime, to the extent that when the king of Bahrain accepted Islam, the Holy Prophet (sa) guided him to provide four dirhams and clothing as sustenance for all those in his country who did not possess land for their livelihood so that they do not remain hungry and deprived.

“Later, the Muslims began to acquire a lot of wealth. As the Muslims were fewer in number and the wealth was plentiful, there did not seem to be a need for a new regulation to be introduced at that time. This is because the objective [of providing people for their basic needs] was being met. The general principle is that a new law should be instituted when there is danger, and so long as there is no danger, it is the choice of the government whether or not they institute a particular law. Thus, the point which I initially wanted to draw upon but other details were mentioned in between was that how this system continued after the Holy Prophet (sa).

“When the Holy Prophet (sa) passed away and Muslims began to spread to different corners of the world, foreign nations also entered the fold of Islam. The Arabs were like one group of people and a single nation and would uphold equality amongst themselves, but when Islam spread to different regions and various nations began entering the fold of Islam, arrangements for food became very difficult. Ultimately, Hazrat Umar (ra) conducted a census for all individuals and established a system for rationing which lasted until the reign of the Banu Umaiyyah.

“European historians admit that the first census ever taken was by Hazrat Umar (ra). They also admit that this very first census taken by Hazrat Umar (ra) was not to seize the wealth of its citizens, but to establish a system for their sustenance. Other governments take a census to make sacrificial lambs out of their people and to procure military services; however, Hazrat Umar (ra) did not take a census for this purpose, but did so to provide them with food and to ascertain the number of people and how much food would be required. Therefore, after taking the census, all people would receive sustenance under a designated system and a monthly allowance would be given to fulfil other remaining necessities. This task was completed with such care that during the time of Hazrat Umar (ra) when Syria was conquered and an abundance of olive oil was acquired and everyone began to receive their share, Hazrat Umar (ra) said to the people that his stomach swelled with the use of olive oil. Hazrat Umar (ra), himself, received a share of that oil and explained that by using olive oil often, his stomach became bloated. He asked for permission to exchange clarified butter from the treasury of equal value with the olive oil he received because it was harmful to his health.

“Thus, this was the first step in Islam that was taken to fulfil the needs of the people, and it is clear that if such a system is established, no other arrangement is required because the government would be responsible for the needs of the whole nation. Their sustenance, clothing, education, treatment for illnesses and building homes for lodging would all be the responsibility of the Islamic government. If all of these needs continued to be fulfilled, then there would be no need for any insurance etc. People get insurance to ensure that they leave something behind for their children or to have the ability to fulfil their needs if they do not have an income when they are elderly. If the government takes on this responsibility, there remains no need for insurance.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) continues:

“Those who came later began saying that the decision of whether to give, or not to give, was exclusive to the ruler’s choice. Since the Islamic teachings had not been firmly implemented, those people became inclined once again to the ways of Caeser and Chosroes. They inclined towards the ways and practices of other kings which then became commonplace.”

(Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 7, pp. 334-336)