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having elephants. However Muslim archers and lancers rained arrows and spheres and knocked down many elephant riders. The battle ended without reaching a final decision on the first day. The following day the battle again ended without a victory for any of the two armies. On the third day Muslims wrapped pieces of cloth round the bodies of their camels to frighten the Persian elephants. The plan worked out successfully. Moreover a number of Muslim archers pierced the eyes of the elephants and cut their trunks. The blind elephants ran towards the Persian army and destroyed their ranks. The battle continued to the fourth day. Now the blind elephants played a havoc with the Persians themselves. Then some of the Muslim warriors from among the chief of the clans rushed towards Rustam and destroyed the special battalion around him. The canopy of Rustam was blown in the air and he himself tried to flee. He was detected by the Muslims and was slain. The battle of Qadisiya proved to be decisive in the history of Islam. It shattered the strength of the Persian Empire. Hadrat 'Umar (R.A.) received the news with great joy. The Muslims gained immense booty a fifth portion was despatched to the Baitul Mai. Fall of Mada'in (Ctesiphon), the capital of Persian Empire: The City of Mada'in was situated on the east bank of river Tigris and was almost surrounded by it. After a rest of few months, Sa'd took permission from "Umar to invade the Capital. When Sad marched, the Persians destroyed the bridge on the river. The river was deep and turbulent but the determination of Musli ms was not affected. They were having full faith in Allah. It has been recorded in some books of history that on finding the destruction of the bridge by the Persians Sad said, "Allah made a way in the Red Sea for Moses and his followers. He will surely help us who are following His Last Prophet, Muhammad. When the rich booty from the White Palace of Yezdgi reached Medina, tears came out in the eyes of Umar and he remarked, "I am weeping because riches are often the cause of enmity and mutual bitterness. Those people, who have such evils, ultimately lose respect." Ultimately, the whole of Persia came under the sway of Islam, by the year 23 A.H. After the capture of Persian Empire, Hadrat 'Umar (R.A.) remarked, "Allah has destroyed the Persian Empire, now they cannot harm the Muslims. O Muslims, if you do not follow the Straight Path, Allah would take this power from you and hand it over to whom He likes. It must be clarified here that at no place Muslims forced non-Mulsims to accept Islam. Islam spread because of its teachings and because of the practical life of Muslims. The conquest of the Persian Empire provided the Muslims with unlimited resources. At the same time it also brought Muslims into touch with luxuries and as time passed they gave up their simple living and fell prey to some vices prevailing in those days Hadrat "Umar had feared.
Conquest of Syria
During the time of Hadrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) the Muslims had defeated Romans on the Syrian front and captured a number of cities like Busra and Ajnadain. They laid siege to Damascus when Hadrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) passed away. After his death they captured Damascus, Hims and Qansrin. When the Islamic armies were leaving the conquered places they paid back the Jizya (the Defense Tax) received from the non-Muslim inhabitants of those places saying, "Since we cannot protect you, we are returning it." The Battle of Yarmuk - 15 A.H./636 A.C.: After the fall of Damascus, Hims and other places, the Romans appealed to Heraclius to help them against the Muslim armies. The Muslims had already gathered at Yarmuk to face the Roman Byzantine army. The Romans were several times larger in number than the Muslims. In the beginning the command was in the hand of Khalid bin Walid (R.A.) but during the battle he received the letter of Hadrat 'Umar deposing him from the post of Commander-in-Chief. Hadrat 'Umar (R.A.) appointed Abu 'Ubaidah bin Jarrah (R.A.) as the Commander-in-Chief. A fierce battle was fought on the 20th August, 636, and at the end the Romans lost the field. The battle of Yarmuk was a turning point in the history of Byzantine Empire. The power of Byzantine was crushed in the battle. The fate of Syria was decided and it fell in the hands of Muslims for ever. Hadrat Umar (R.A.) always appreciated services of Khalid bin Walid. But there were certain complaints against him, especially for being extravagant, when he awarded 10,000 dinars to a poet. Hadrat Khalid could not give satisfactory explanation to Hadrat 'Umar (R.A.) hence he was removed from the command. Fall of Jerusalem: 'Amr bin al-'As and Abu 'Ubaidah along with Khalid bin Walid laid siege to the great city of Jerusalem, surrounded by a huge wall. Since the people of Jerusalem had already seen the defeat of Byzantine forces they offered a peaceful truce provided the Khalifah came in person to sign the treaty in their presence. The proposal was passed over to 'Umar (R.A.) at Medina and after consultation with the Shura he accepted the offer. 'Umar (R.A.) signed the treaty under which the inhabitants of Jerusalem were granted complete security of their life and property. Their places of worship were secured and remained intact. All the people were allowed to follow their religion freely. Muslims entered Jerusalem in the year 16 A.H. 635 A.C. The conquest of Egypt: Egypt was a great danger to the security of Hijaz. Obviously it was necessary from the point of view of defense to drive back the Romans (Byzantines) from Egypt. One of the strongest forts of Romans in Egypt was Fustat (which later became Cairo). The fort was conquered after some time. Alexandria was the strong hold of the Romans in Egypt, It was really a difficult task to conquer it. It was conquered in 642 or 640. Local Christians and Jews were given freedom of religion; various taxes imposed by the Romans were abolished and the general condition of the country improved. The Egyptians had never enjoyed such a period of prosperity and peace before.
Character
He was a very pious Muslim. His success lay in two things: fear of Allah and his love for the Holy Prophet. He used to patrol in the city at night to find out the needs and requirements, and conditions of the people. The salary he got from the Baitul-Mal was so low that it was hardly enough for him and his family's needs. He was the most just ruler in the history of Islam, All the citizens, including the Caliph himself, were equal before law.
Piety
His dress, meals and general behaviour were similar to those of the Holy Prophet, used to sit on a mat made of grass leaves. His usual practice was to cry and weep during Salah.
As a great scholar
He was literate, His writing and lectures are still found in some old books. The first address he gave as a Caliph: "O Allah, I am strict, make me soft. I am weak, give me power. The Arabs are like refractory camels, I will endeavour to bring them to the straight path. He was a great jurist and theologian of Islam and an expert in deriving laws from the Holy Qur'an and the Hadith.
Preaching of Islam
The method adopted to preach Islam was demonstrated by actual practice. For this purpose he ordered Muslims to establish their own quarters and present the practical shape of Islam before the population. Seeing the truthful way, the inhabitants of the place were attracted towards Islam. No soldier was allowed to take any property or anything by force from the conquered people. Umar was very strict in ensuring that no Muslims forced any non-Muslim to accept Islam. He made it clear to all the Muslims that they had to adhere to the ways of the Holy prophet which the only method to preach Islam.
Freedom of opinion
Umar's period was an exemplary period as far as this principle of the democratic way of government is concerned. There is no other example in history when people gave their opinion so freely, and criticised the ruler so openly. "If people do not give their opinions they are useless and if we (the rulers) do not listen to them, we are useless." Not only the men but women too enjoyed the freedom of opinion. He was a stern ruler as far as for implementation of law was concerned but at the same time he was just, and democratic, a true follower of Islamic democracy in which every person has freedom of opinion within the limits of Shari'ah. He acted upon the principle of equality and brotherhood of mankind on one side and justice and truthfulness on the other. Not only Muslims but also non-Muslims were also free to express their opinion. He made no discrimination between Muslims and non-Muslims in matters of justice, human rights and fair play.
Provincial administration
Umar was an outstanding model for the succeeding Muslim rulers in administration. He divided the whole Islamic Caliphate (i.e. Islamic State) into various provinces each with a capital . The Capital of the State was Medina. The title of a Provincial Governor was Wali, who was the chief administrator and generally the supreme commander of the armed forces of that province. In each province there were, besides the governor: the Treasury Officer, the Revenue Collector, Chief Police Officer and the Judge. The provinces were divided into districts, each administered by an office r. All the governors and the high officers of the province were called to Mecca every year on the occasion of Hajj when Muslims from the entire area gathered there. Complaints against them were recorded by the Khali/ah. Enquires were made and grievances were removed. All the officers were paid high salaries so that they may not indulge in bribery and corruption.
Judiciary
The judicial functions were entrusted to Qadis (Judges). A Qadi was completely free of the executive administration. The provincial Qadis were completely independent of the provincial governors. An ordinance sent by Umar to various Qadis: "Decide cases according to the Holy Qur'an. If you do not find any solution in it base your decision upon the Sunnah. In case you do not find an appropriate Hadith, search in the unanimity of the righteous predecessors (i.e., Ijma), in the absence of Ijma give your own verdict based upon the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah (i.e., do Ijtihad or Qiyas)."
Department of education
He established schools for teaching the Holy Qur'an in all the conquered territories. Such schools were located in the Masjids. Besides teaching the Holy Qur'an they also trained the people in reading and writing. It was compulsory for every Muslim to memorise sufficient part of the Holy Qur'an. The students memorising whole of the Qur'an by heart were given s cholarships and other facilities. He also appointed teachers to teach Hadith and Islamic Law .
Personal care of the public and stipends to disabled persons and the poor
Every day after the congregational Salats he used to sit in the Masjid in order to listen to the complaints of the people. Any person having any need reported to 'Umar and he helped him. Besides the allowances described above he also gave stipends to the poor and disabled persons regardless of their faith and creed. To find out the needs of the people he used to go out during night time.
Regular army
One of the biggest achievements of Umar was to keep regular armies of the State. He encouraged Muslims to join the regular forces whenever the need arose. Separate registers for regular and irregular armies were maintained. Umar made every Muslims a soldier and everyone was anxious to fight in the path of Allah. Non-Muslims were also included in the army.