Lecture V: Islamic History I

Umar (13-24 AH/634-644AD)

1) Early Life
- Umar RA was born in 583AD in Addiyan Clan, his surname was Abu Hafs, Farooq was his
title
- He was a famous wrestler and orator, and knew reading and writing and used to do
business
- Inspired by Abu Sufyan one day he was going to murder the Prophet PBUH, on his way he
get to know about his sister who had accepted Islam, his anger knew no boundaries.
However the words of Quran softened his heart and he embraced Islam in 6 th Nabwi
2) Services to Islam before his accession
- During the flight to Madinah he accompanied 20 Muslims
- He took part in almost all the battles and was present during the Treaty of Hudaybia
- Placed half of all of his saving on the disposal of Muslims during the Tabuk expedition
- He was the first Muslim to swore allegiance to Abu Bakr RA
3) Conquest of Persia
- Chosroes II, Khushraw Pervaiz insulted the envoy of the Prophet PBHU
- The enmity of Persians is further revealed in the rebellion of Bahrayn during Abu Bakr
- Iraq, the then province of Persia formed the natural part of Arabia
- Geographical position and border conflict and border conflict:
- Iraq is a land of immense wealth, being a barren land Arabia was depended on Iraq
a. Battle of Namarraq
- Kingdom of Hira was conquered by Khalid bin Waleed and Muthana during Abu Bakr RA,
that made Persians furious
- Rustom, Persian General was defeated by Muthana and Ubayda(was sent on the appeal of
Muthana) and Hira was re-conquered
b. Battle of Jasr
The defeat of the Persians in the battle of Namarraq rekindled their national pride. So
Persians met Muslims on the other side of River Euphrates under the command of Bahman
- Abu Ubayda along with 6000(out of 9000) Muslims lost their lives by crossing the river
against the advice of Muthanna. This battle is also known as Battle of Bridge
c. Battle of Buwaib
- This was the time for Muslims to take revenge, both armies met at Buwaib, near Kufa
- Persians were defeated and their leader Mahran was also slain
d. Battle of Qudisiya
Persians wanted to take revenge of Buwaib
- Jihad was declared in whole Muslim land by Umar R.A, Saad bin Abi Waqas was selected as
the Commander
- Before the battle envoys were sent to Persian courts to give the message of Islam, all of
them were insulted by king Yazdigard.
- The battle lasted for 3 days and the Persians were defeated, Rustom also was slain though
they fought gallantly.
- Results of the battle of Qadisiya..
Decisive battle in the history, broke down the strength of Persians and secured ground
there.
e. Capture of Madian
Saad with the permission of Umar RA marched against the capital Madina
- With the capture of the Capital Madian whole of Persia was under the possession of Islam

f. Battle of Jalula
The Persian King took refuge in Hulwan, north of Madian, and once more Persians
advanced
- Saad with the permission of Umar RA sent strong army under Qaka
After the siege of 8 days Persians were defeated
g. The whole of Persia conquered
After battle of Jalula peace was concluded with the Persians and no fighting took place for
a few months.
- The Persians broke the treaty in 638AD, which resulted in a battle at Nihawand in 642
- Persians were defeated and the whole of Persia came under Muslims
4) Conquest of Byzantines (Syria, Palestine, Egypt) :Causes of hostility with the
Byzantines.
- Initially the relations between the Muslims and Byzantines were cordial( during initial reign
of Heraculius)
- However, became tensed when Banu Ghassan, Christian Prince of Syria murdered Muslim
envoy at Mutah
- Heraclius incurred the displeasure of Muslims by inciting the Bedouins during the reign of
Abu Bakar and battle of Ajnadan was fought.
- Economically Byzantine was rich hence a necessity for Arabs to solve their economic woes
- Strategically, the geographic position of Byzantine was essential for the safety of Arabia
- However, the relationship was not always uncordial. When Jerusalem was besieged, the
inhabitants of this place made the Treaty of Jerusalem with Khalifah which restored the
relationship
- After conquering the land Muslims adopted the policy of reconciliation. Byzantines were
treated with kindness and justice as never before.
a. Conquest of Syria
- Romans were defeated on the Syrian front during Abu Bakr RA; Damascus, Ardan and
Hims were annexed
- That called for battle of Yarmuk because Heraculis got furious in July 634AD, the Romans
were defeated under the leadership of Ubayda and all Syrian towns surrendered.
- Battle of Yurmuk was a turning point in the history of Syria, power of Romans was curbed
and crushed
i. Capitulation of Jerusalem
- After the fall of Yarmuk, Muslims laid siege to Jerusalem
- The people of Jerusalam offered to capitulate, if the Khalifa himself signed the treaty
- The treaty gave the inhabitants full protection of life, property, churches, and crosses
- The people of Jerusalem had to pay Jizya
ii. Conquest of Jazira (17 A.H/ 638AD)
- This was another failed try by the Roman Emperor to regain Syria at the instigation of the
people of Jazira, thus the whole of Syria was conquered under the leadership of Abu
Ubayda.
- Arabs were not fighting for territorial expansion but for the protection of Arabia.
b. Conquest of Egypt
- 18 Ah/ 639 AD, Amr Bin As set out for Egypt from Palestine
- Enmity of Roman Emperor, Geographic Location and grain producing soil were the causes
- Its capital, Alexandria was the base of the Byzantine Navy and the door to the rest of
North African corridor
- Amr bin As entered Egypt with 4,000 men and laid siege to Fustat. After 7 months Muslims
conquered it.
- Till 20 AH/ 640AD all of the Egypt had come under the Muslim control
- Agriculture was patronized and the Taxation was regulated on a fixed and moderate scale
-

Trade was encouraged and the Christian Egyptians were treated with kindness
The supposition that the Library of Alexandria was burnt by Muslim is wrong, as it was
burnt long before
5) Result of the Persian and Roman Conquest
- Powers of the mighty nations crushed while those of the Muslims increased
- Muslim Naval power was created
- Solutions to the Economic Problems were available
- New military techniques were adopted through the conquered subjects
- Persians and Romans were at the peak of their culture and civilization, hence a lot to learn
for Muslims
- Persian etiquettes and social systems were introduced in the Arab Society
- However the simplicity of the Arabs was somehow lost and the Muslims somewhat became
degenerated
6) Administration of Umer RA
- As an Administrator he remained a role model for all great Muslim rulers during the whole
Islamic History
- The constitution of the state of constituted on the principles of democracy, a system of
Shura was created
- Military aristocracy was maintained and they were not allowed to hold land in the
conquered lands
- The empire was divided into 9 provinces under a Governor/Wali, further divided into
Districts under Amils
- Special care of Agriculture was taken, Arabs were not allowed to take land from native
conquered subjects
- Pension system was introduced, he built various schools and mosques across the empire
- Revenue system was based on Jizya, Zakat, Kharaj, Maal e Ganeemat, Ushr and
commercial tax
- Fair distribution of the surplus money was ensured among the Muslims
- Independent Judiciary was ensured under Qazis
- Strict army discipline was maintained, army was divided into Infantry and Cavalry, headed
by Generals

Uthman RA (24-36AH/644-656AD)
1) Early Life
- Born in 573 AD in Banu Ummaya Clan, his ancestral pedigree joins Prophets PBUH with 5 th
Ancestor
- Abu Amar was his surname, Dhunnurayn he is called (Married to two daughters of Prophet
PBUH)
- During the initial call of Islam, he saw a dream, divinity was calling him to Islam, he
hurriedly embraced it
2) His services to Islam
- He put all the wealth at the disposal of Muslims, dig the Well on the wish of Prophet PBUH
with 20000 dirhams
- He fulfilled the wish of Prophet PBUH when He wanted to purchase the adjoining land for
Mosque expansion
- Contributed 10000 dirhams and 1000 camels during the Tabuk campaign
- Except of Badr, He participated in all the battles and played an important role in the state
affairs
3) Election of Uthman

A council consisting of Ali, Uthman, Sad, Talha, Zubair and Abdur Rehman bin Auf, Since
Abdur Rehman bin Auf was not willing to take the responsibility to become a khalifa, hence
he had to chose among the nominees. At last the majority vote was in favor of Uthman RA
- Ali RA in this nomination had nominated Uthman RA and Uthman had nominated Ali RA
4) Conquests in the East
- 6 months into Uthman RA regime, Persian exiled King Yazigard again started rebellion, that
was crushed
- Hisaf, Kabul, Gazna, Balkh, and Turkistan paid homage while Nishapur, Tus & Marv were
captured
- Muawiyah RA was in-charge of Syria, on approach of the Romans, he was helped by
Uthman to defeat them
- During the 2nd year of regime Cyprus was also captured
5) Conquests in the West
- 26 AH/646AD Romans took possession of Alexandria, Amr bin As drove them out
- A conflict between Amr bin As and Abdullah bin Sad resulted in Amr being replaced by
Abdullah
- 31AH/651AD Muslims defeated the Roman fleet of 500 vessels
6) Charges against Uthman RA
a. Appointment of Relations
- The charge of appointing the relations instead of the efficient Governors, but the charge
doesnt hold water
- Muawiya was the Governor of Syria, he was appointed by Umar RA
- Sad the conqueror of Persia was desired by Umer RA on the deathbed to be reinstated.
Uthman agreed.
- Walid Bin Aqba was appointed Treasurer in Kofa, but that was done in initial years when he
was free of charges. When the charges of drinking liquor were proved against him he was
not only dismissed but was punished.
- Abdullah bin Saad replaced Amr bin As, but the services of Abdullah to Islam was of great
importance. He was right in appointing him but the rebellions came to Madinah and
demanded his removal, he did so and appointed Mohammad bin Abu Bakr at his place
b. Removal of Governors without any definite reason
- He did remove some of the Governors, but so was done by Umar RA in respect of Khalid,
Mughira, Saad bin Abi Waqas RA. This was done with good intention.
c. Uthman RA was extravagant towards his relations
- He was given the title of Ghani because he was liberal towards all Muslims that included
his relations too.
- He took nothing from the state treasury, and during the regime this rich man was left with
only 2 camels
d. Maintained pastures for his own use
- It was the duty of the Khalifa to maintain pastures for war horses and camels, it was never
for personal use
e. Burning of Holy Qurans
- To standardize the text of the Quran was the great service rendered by Uthman RA but this
was misunderstood