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Islamiyat IGCSEPDF 159
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levied on the land of non-Muslims) and fay (income from crown lands). A tax called ushr was
also levied on the produce of land. It is said that there was so much economic prosperity
during the caliphate of Hazrat Umar that there was hardly any citizen in need of zakat . 3
• Umar established new towns like Basra, Musal and Kufa. He made new highways, roads
and out posts on the roads. The conquered lands were surveyed. Umar made special effort
for construction of Mosques and schools. Teachers were sent to the villages to teach the Holy
Quran to the villagers.
• He introduced the Muslim era of Hijra, the system of old age pension and census of the
population of the Muslims State. Thus he laid foundation for the development of modern
cities.
• Hazrat Umar maintained a well-disciplined army which was divided into cavalry and
infantry. He was particularly concerned about welfare of his soldiers. He also forbade them
to live with the settled people in cities and ordered them to live in cantonments. They kept
the armed forces content and happy and they were happy to serve the caliphate
. • Umar paid special attention to the well-bieng of Dhimmis(minorities), and settled their
matters in consultation with their representative. He expelled Christians and Jews
communities of Najran and Khayber, when they refused to abide by his order.. Hazrat Umar
stands unparalleled in every aspects of administration in the History of Islam.
Expansion of Islamic State:
Hazrat Umar bin Khattab succeeded to caliphate in 13 A.H. / 634 A.D. He took the title of
“Amir Ul Momineen” (Commander of the faithful). He was a brave and straightforward
person. He continued the expansion of the Islamic state and during his caliphate the
frontiers of Islamic state expanded greatly. The vast Ares of the Roman and Persian empires
were brought under Islamic rule. Muslim armies conquered Syria, Iraq, Persia and Egypt
after fighting a series of decisive battles. In the Northeast, Persian Empire caused threat for
the Islamic state. In October 634 A.D/14 A.H the battles of Namaraq and Jasr were fought.
In the battle of Jasr (Bridge) Muslims were defeated and their commander was killed.
Muslims responded back in November 634 A.D. When they fought against the Persians at
Buwaib under Musanna, Muslims were victorious in this battle and the Persians had to face
heavy losses. After this battle, Persians sent a large army of 60,000 under their famous
commander Rustam. The report of the new situation was sent to Hazrat Umar. He sent Saad
bin Abi Waqas with an army of 30000. After a prolonged battle at Al Qadisiya in 15 AH/636
AD the out-numbered Muslim army defeated the Persian troops under Rustam and
recaptured Hira and other areas in Iraq. It was a decisive battle which broke down the
strength of the Persians. After this the Muslim army advanced and captured Mada’in and
Jalulah one after another and signed a Treaty of peace with the Persians. Despite the treaty,
the Persians continued their conspiracies against Islamic state. Therefore, Muslims had to
fight against them at Nihawand in 21 A.H./ 642 A.D. a battle took place in which 30,000
Muslims defeated 60,000 Persians. The Persian king Yazdgard fled from the battle field. It
was the last battle against the Persians which sealed the fate of Persian Empire and the whole
of Persia came under Muslim rule. Muslims also had to fight against the Byzantines on the
Northern borders because of their hostility against the Islamic state.The Muslim
commanders i.eKhalid bin Waleed, Amr bin al Aas and Abu Ubaidah bin al Jarrah defeated
the Romans and captured areas of Byzantine empire , which was the Eastern province of
Roman empire. Muslim army laid siege to Damascus till 635AD and then they had to fight
against them in the battle of Fihl which resulted in the conquest of Jordan. Then Muslims
advanced and fought in the battle of Yarmuk in Palestine in 15 A.H/636 A.D. An army of