FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

job he was best suited for. For example, he made maximum use of the Umayyad family in the execution of his plans for the spread of Islam. During his reign, the Muslims, under Khalid the celebrated general, conquered Persia, Syria, Palestine and Egypt. In Jerusalem, the Christian ruler Sophronius set a condition for surrender—that only if Caliph Umar comes there in person and signs the treaty of peace only then they would surrender. The Caliph therefore set out in 637 for Jerusalem with one servant and a camel. Since there was only one camel, he and his servants rode the camel by turns. It happened that on the day they were to reach Jerusalem it was the turn of the servant. The servant insisted on giving his turn to him saying that it will look awkward that the servant is riding and the Caliph leading the camel. But Umar thought it was not according to the spirit of justice so he refused to do so. When the Palestinians saw the Caliph of a vast empire in rough, patched cloak, walking on foot with no grain of pride and haughtiness, they threw their gates open to welcome him into the Holy City. Umar signed the peace treaty with the Christians of Jerusalem, granted them full religious freedom to practise their religion and full state protection. Umar adopted the title of Amir al-Muminin (Leader of the believers) rather than the Khalifah Rasul Allah (deputy of the messenger of God) as Abu Bakr was called. He also instituted the Hijrah (migration) to mark the commencement of the Muslim calendar (622 CE). He instituted Diwan-e-Ata, which gave out stipends to all Muslims. He founded military centres such as Basra, Kufah, Fustat, which later developed into great cities of Islam. He created the office of Qazi (Judge). Umar was a political genius. He succeeded in uniting all the disparate elements during his rule. A new Muslim state emerged under his able leadership. In spite of being the powerful ruler of an empire he lived an extremely simple life. Because of his high moral character he inspired respect and admiration from all alike. He was at the height of his powers when he was stabbed by Abu Lulu on November 3, 644, a Persian Christian. Umar was thus not only a great ruler but also an embodiment of all the virtues of Islam. Do not be fooled by one who recites the Quran. His recitation is but speech—but look to those who act according to it. — Umar ibn al-Khattab