Islamiyat · May / June 2020 · Paper 21 · Question 4

Write an account of the administration of the caliphate under ‘Umar. A straightforward answer is needed here which should give a descriptive account of the administration under ‘Umar during his caliphate. It could be said that:

He established a diwan which oversaw the revenue of the centre and the provinces. Answers could elaborate on the functions of this department in some detail.

Majlis e Shura and Majlis e Aam was consulted and a truly democratic form of government was put in place.

The empire was divided into provinces under the rule of a governor called Wali after consultation with the Majlis e Shura.

The provinces were further subdivided for better administration under Amils. The judiciary was separated from the executive and a Qadi (judge) was appointed as the head of the judiciary.

Departments of police, education, etc. were set up. Jails were made, a lot of attention was given to town planning and establishing new towns, highways were built, irrigation canals were constructed, cantonments were built and the hijri calendar was devised.

In your opinion what was the most important feature of ‘Umar’s administration? Give reasons for your answer.

Here candidates need to choose the most important feature of ‘Umar’s caliphate and say why in their opinion it was the most important. They could say that his justice was the most exemplary feature or his honest management of the immense revenue of the state was the distinguishing feature of his caliphate. Whichever the choice, it must be supported by reasons.