Caliph Umar’s Historic Address at Jerusalem
After overseeing the surrender of Jerusalem and completing the tour of
Syria when Caliph Umar was returning to Madina he led the prayer at
Jabiah. On this occasion he delivered an address which is preserved in
history. The major part of his address was: “O ye people I counsel you to
read the Quran. Try to understand it and ponder over it. Imbibe the
teachings of the Quran. Then practise what the Quran teaches. The Quran is
not theoretical; it is a practical code of life. The Quran does not
bring you the message of the Hereafter only; it is primarily intended to
guide you in this life. Mould your life in accordance with the teachings
of Islam for that is the way of your well being. By following any other
way you will be inviting destruction. “Fear Allah (The One True God),
and whatever you want seek from Him. All men are equal. Do not flatter
those in authority. Do not seek favours from others. By such acts you
demean yourself. And remember that you will get only that is ordained for
you, and no one can give you anything against the will of God. Then why
seek things from others over which they have no control? Only
supplicate God for He alone is the sovereign.
“And speak the truth. Do not hesitate to say what you consider to be
the truth. Say what you feel. Let your conscience be your guide. Let your
intentions be good, for verily God is aware of your intentions. In your
deeds your intentions count. Fear God, and fear no one else. Why fear
others when you know that whatever sustenance ordained for you by God
you will get under all circumstances? And again why fear when you know
that death is ordained by God alone and will come only when He wills?
“Allah has for the time being made me your ruler. But I am one of you.
No special privileges belong to ruler. I have some responsibilities to
discharge, and in this I seek your cooperation. Government is a sacred
trust, and it is my endeavour not to betray the trust in any way. For
the fulfilment of the trust I have to be a watchman. I have to be
strict. I have to enforce discipline. I have to run the administration not on
the basis of personal idiosyncracies; I have to run it in public
interest and for promoting the public good. For this we have the guidance in
the Book of God. Whatever orders I issue in the course of day to day
administration have to conform to the Quran. God has favoured us with
Islam. He sent to us His Messenger Muhammad (Pbuh). He has chosen us for a
mission. Let us fulfil that mission. That mission is the promotion of
Islam. In Islam lies our safety; if we err we are doomed.”