Allah Most High has granted various distinctions to the 2nd Caliph of Islam, Hadhrat ‘Umar Farooq (May Allah be well pleased with him). His life is an illustration of truth and is a touchstone of justice. Even non-Muslims acknowledge his justice and consider his caliphate a shining example. His caliphate is like a living picture of this verse of the Holy Quran. Allah Most High says:
O believers! Holding fast to the cause of Allah, bear witness based on justice. And let not (even) the extreme hostility against a people provoke you into abstaining from justice (in their case). Always do justice, (for) it is closer to piousness. And fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Well Aware of your works. Surah Maida (05:08)
Hadhrat ‘Umar Farooq (May Allah be well pleased with him) didn’t discriminate between his close ones and others when implementing the laws of Islam. He granted security and protection to non-Muslims. It is given in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba:
Translation: When he would take a decision, he would gather his household and tell them: I have forbidden people from such and such a thing and people will observe you the way a bird observes a piece of meat. If you commit that forbidden act, others will also indulge in it. If you stay away from it, they will also stay away. By Allah! If anyone of you ends up committing that forbidden act, your punishment will be double than that of others. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith No. 30643; Sharh Sahih Bukhari Li Ibn Battaal; Ar Riyadh Un Nadhra Manaqibil ‘Ashra)
Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) passed by a house where a person was begging. He was blind and very old. Hadhrat ‘Umar held him by the arm and talked to him thus:
Translation: What has brought you to this state in which I am seeing you? He said: I have to pay Jizya. I am needy and have become old. Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) took him to his house, gave him something and sent a message to the treasurer of the public treasury: Look after him and all other non-Muslims like him. If we collect Jizya from them in their youth and abandon them in their old age, then by Allah, we haven’t been just.” Then he waived Jizya of all such old non-Muslims. (Kitab Ul Khiraj, Pg. No. 150)
