After receiving the surrender of Jerusalem and completing the tour
of Syria when Caliph Umar (radiyallahu anhu – may Allah be pleased with him)
was returning to MadinaMunawwarah, he led the prayer at Jabiah. On this
occasion he delivered an address which is
reserved in history. The major part of his address was:
"O People! I counsel
you to read the Quran. Try to understand it and ponder over it. Imbibe the teachings of the Quran. Then practise what
the Quran teaches. The Quranis not theoretical; it is a practical code of life.
The Quran does not bring you the message of the Hereafter only; it is primarily
intended to guide you in this life. Mould your life in accordance with the
teachings of Islam for that is the way of your well being. By following any other
way you will be inviting destruction.
Fear Allah (The One True God), and whatever you want, seek it from Him.
All men are equal. Do not flatter those in authority. Do not seek favours from
others. By such acts you demean yourself. And remember that you will get only
that which is ordained for you, and no one can give you anything against the
will of Allah. Then why seek things from others over which they have no control? Only supplicate
Allah for He alone is the sovereign.
"And speak the truth. Do not hesitate to say what you consider
to be the truth. Say what you feel. Let your conscience be your guide. Let your
intentions be good, for verily Allah is aware of your intentions. In your deeds
your intentions count. Fear Allah, and fear no one else. Why fear others when
you know that whatever sustenance ordained for you by Allah you will get under
all circumstances? And again why fear when you know that death is ordained by
Allah alone and will come only when He wills?
"Allah has for the time being made me your ruler. But I am one
of you. No special privileges belong to a ruler. I have some responsibilities
to discharge, and in this I se ek your co-operation. Government is a sacred
trust, and it is my endeavour not to betray the trust in any way. For the
fulfilment of the trust I have to be a watch-man. I have to be strict. I have
to enforce discipline. I have to run the administration not on the basis of
personal attitude or way of behaviour; I have to run it in public interest and
for promoting the public good. For this
we have the guidance in the Book of Allah. Whatever orders I issue in the
course of day to day administration have to conform to theQuran. Allah has
favoured us with Islam. He sent to us His Messenger Muhammad (Sall-Allahu
alayhi wa sallam – Peace and Blessings of Allah be on him). He has chosen us for a mission. Let us fulfil
that mission. And that mission is the propagation and promotion of Islam. In
Islam lies our safety; if we err then we will be doomed."
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