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Social Welfare System

Welfare State In Muslim Countries

In the contemporary situation examples of functioning social welfare systems in the muslim world are few and far between, and those that do exist are either very poor or based on capitalist-socialist mixed economy models e.g. Malaysia. Considering the rich muslim cultural heritage and the positive values espoused in Islam this is a further indictment of muslim governance and leadership. Despite the vast natural, mineral and oil resources the muslim countries have been unable singularly or jointly to manage the affairs of the people for basic needs fulfillment. Origins of their decline can be traced to a combination of colonialism in the 18th century, largely bypassing the industrial and technological revolutions, mismanagement, corruption and poor governance.

Early examples of a functioning welfare system, prior to the industrial revolution, can be traced to that established by Umar (ra), the second rightly guided khalifah of the muslim world, which principly stayed in operation until the 19th century. However, the muslim countries have been unable and unwilling to revive these generic principles in the modern era, for which concerted collective effort is required.

Umar's State Administration

Umar(ra), was a great administrator, born in the year 582 C.E. In his youth, he was a famous wrestler and orator and was an expert in horse riding. He was well educated and also among the first people in Makkah who knew how to read and write. He gained a vast amount of experience by being a judge, a diplomat, and a very good public speaker. As a young man, he earned his livelihood by trade. His keen sense of justice and towering personality gave him an outstanding place in history. Devotion to duty, and fairness were his guiding principles.

As a Khalifah, his empire extended over Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and other places. 

All citizens were equal before law. On a number of occasions, the Khalifah appeared personally to defend himself in the public court of justice just like any other defendant. In a dispute with an ordinary citizen,   Ubayy-Ibn Ka'ab,   Umar(ra), appeared as a defendant in the court of   Zaid-Ibn-Thabit at Madinah.   Zaid(ra), wanted to pay respect to him but   Umar, Rad-Allahu anhu, told him that this amounted to partiality. Thus under   Umar(ra), the principles of justice and equality were fully observed. In the same case,   Ubayy(ra), wanted   Umar(ra), to take oath, but the judge wanted to spare him because of the dignity of his office. Seeing this, the Khalifah admonished him, “You cannot be a just judge until a common man is equal to the Khalifah before you.” During that era, no one was above law. Even the Khalifah was questioned by the common man, how wonderful and refreshing if that was the case today for any of our world leaders.

Among many other great progress and advancements, Umar(ra),

• Organized and systemized the Public Treasury
• Established military offices
• Kept a record of the population
• Built many canals in different provinces
• Developed many cities including Basra, Kufa, Cairo, etc
• Provided housing for thousands of people
• Set up official governments in all conquered territory
• Established a police force
• Carried out nightly patrols himself to check on the safety and needs of the public
• Built rest houses and wells alongside various routes for the convenience of travelers
• Provided assistance to needy Muslims and non-Muslims, etc.

Public Treasury

The revenue of the state was deposited into the Baitul-Mal (Public Treasury). Abdullah-bin-Arqam was appointed the Chief Officer of this department. He was directed to increase the production, and the welfare of the peasantry and people at large.

The main sources of revenue were:

1. Zakat – 2.5% of wealth for the poor. This was only applicable on Muslims.
2. Jizya - defence tax paid by non-Muslims living on Muslim lands (dhimmis). However, the poor, the sick and crippled, women, children, aged, priests, and monks were exempted from this.
3. Ushr – a special land tax on especially large holdings. (one tenth of produce) 
4. Khiraj – a land tax 
5. Ghanimah - one-fifth of the war booty
6. A tax on non-Muslim merchants and traders (because they didn’t pay Zakat, while Muslim traders did)

From the Bait-al-Mal, spending was made for the welfare of the people as well as for the poor and needy. The weak and disabled, both Muslims and non-Muslims, were granted allowances. A person who became an invalid or too old to earn his living received maintenance allowance from the Bait-al-Mal.

Children without guardians were brought up at state expense. When there was famine, the Khalifah, himself, worked day and night to provide food to the starving people. He used to go out in the night and visit various places to make sure that everybody was content.

The canals for irrigation purposes were also built from the public revenue. During   Umar's, Rad-Allahu anhu, reign a canal was made which joined the Nile to the Red Sea. This canal facilitated transport of grains from Egypt to the Arabian Peninsula.

Umar(ra), also gave freedom of religion to the Jews and Christians living in the Muslim Empire. He allowed them to stay there if they so wished and nobody could interfere in their religious affairs. To those who desired to migrate he ensured a safe journey up to the borders.   Umar(ra), also gave compensation for their properties and other facilities.
 

Police Force

Another of   Umar’s(ra), achievements was the establishing of the Police Department. The police force at that time was known as “Ahdath” and the police officers were known as the “Sahibul Ahdath.”  Umar(ra), gave the following instructions to the police officers:

“Keep peace in the area. Let not the people contravene the law. They should not measure or weigh incorrectly. Nobody should build any house on roads so as to hinder the passage way. No one should overload an animal. Nobody is allowed to sell or buy liquor.”

As well as establishing the police force,   Umar(ra), also built jails, forming the first jails in Arabia. He bought five houses in Makkah and used them as prisons. He also set up jails in some districts of various provinces.

The punishment of killing another human being unjustly was death and this law was fully enforced at all times, without regard of the religion of the murderer and the victim.

Umar(ra), fully organized the army, which was composed of infantry, cavalry and archers. The army was broadly divided into standing and reserve. The standing army was a regular one, ready for defense of the state and borders; the reserves were called during the time of war. Intelligence and communications were also developed.
 

Provincial Adminstration

For smooth running of the state the Empire was divided into various provinces:

1. Hijaz with Makkah as the capital
2. Syria with Damascus as the capital
3. Iran with Basrah as the capital
4. Iraq with Kufa as the capital
5. Egypt with Fustat as the capital
6. Palestine with Jerusalem as the capital
7. Jazirah (Mesopotamia) with Hims (Homs) as the capital
8. The central province of Arabia with Madinah as the capital

The title of a Provincial Governor was “Wali”. As well as being the chief administrator of his province, the Wali was also the religious leader being well-versed in religion. In each province there were usually the following officers besides the governor:-

• The treasury officer (Sahib Baitul Maal)
• The revenue collector (Sahib Kharaj)
• The chief police officer (Sahib Ahadath)
• The judge (Qazi)

The provinces were divided into districts. Each district was administrated by an officer called ‘Amil. All the governors and the high officers of the provinces were called to Makkah every year on the occasion of Hajj when Muslims from the entire area gathered there. Complaints against the governors were recorded by the Khalifah and incompetent governors were removed from office.

Umar(ra), also laid great stress on knowledge and learning. He made Islamic education compulsory for everyone, both male and female. Thus, he was the first person to introduce compulsory education. Education was also free for everyone and a number of schools were built in cities and towns for public instructions.

It was due to his unconquerable will and keen sense of responsibility that  Umar(ra), was able to make tremendous contribution towards the consolidation of progress, prosperity, development and welfare of the state.

This infrastructure largely remained in place for approx 1300 years in the muslim world until finally being abolished by new colonisers and then being superceded with their economic models which have been unsuccesful in providing socio-economic solutions for the masses in the modern era to date.

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