The Issue of Justice by Rashidun Caliphs (11-40 H/ 633-661 AD in the Field of Finance

Abstract

Justice means giving rights to all right-holders without exaggeration or shortcoming. It is an absolute subject for every time and place. Justice sometimes means equality, for example, not making any distinction between classes in the community in their duties, rights, rewards and punishments. However, equality is relative and it is sometimes the opposite of justice because it is not fair to reward someone who works hard the same way as someone who doesn’t. Khalifa Abubakiri Siddiq can be seen as an instance of equality when he determined donations and rewards according to the available income. In other words, he gave the same amount of 20 dirhams monthly to each Muslim as a reward. Nonethless, Khalifa Omer, the son of Khatab, is an example of justice as he dedicated 100 dirhams for little children, but 200 dirhams for older children, and a considerable monthly amount for every adult with justice. Thus, Khalifa Omer concentrated on the principle of justice rather than equality when he differentiated between the rate given to children, young and adults according to their needs.

The issue of justice during Rashidun Caliph between the years (11-40 H/ 633-661 AD) in the field of finance is one of the critical issues. First of all, this issue is a relative issue by humans, but the absolute justice is only applied by Allah, Prophets, honest people, judges and responsible people. Each Rashidun Caliphs have worked on their specific way of ruling to bring this issue into practice. In Islam, the prophet (PBUH) has showed the most beautiful pattern in this concern and after that during the period of Rashidun Caliphs the issue of justice was brought into practice. This issue is related to the way of ruling by the Caliphs of that period, it has a great effect on the life of people, and this does not mean that the Caliphs were error-free, but generally the Rashidun Caliphs were execution real justice.

The Rashidun Caliphs were personally committing justice and they were carrying fair characteristics, they have not differentiated between people, they ruled according to the principles of Islam, every one’s right is protected in the holy Quran, because the religion of Islam has come for doing religious worships and committing justice among people and to stand against oppression and injustice. The Rashidun Caliphs has worked on this principle and tried to bring this issue into practice in all the aspects of life, and the financial issue as directly connected issue to people’s life. The Caliphs were fair in their personal life and this has affected the way they ruled. In the field of finance, they have treat this issue in a good and suitable way, and this has affected people’s life in terms of welfare and development. The Rashidun Caliphs were previously aware of buying and selling and they were businessmen, so they have treated the Muslims equally with justice. The rights of non-Muslims were even protected and they have given the rights to every people and played their own role.   

The Caliphs have done significant works including: preventing injustice and oppression and monopoly, the Caliphs were following up issues by themselves and looking after works of the workers, employees and governors, they were choosing faithful and qualified persons for financial duties, thy established financial institutions and dedicated special employees such us :( House of Treasure, Diwan al-Kharaj, Diwan of Philanthropic and Diwan of Soldiers). This was to protect honesty, truthfulness and people’s rights, and the Caliphs have given people the authority to look after their works, and they have warned the workers form doing wrong and breaking the law. Also, the Rashidun Caliphs were living like ordinary people and they were not separating themselves from people.

The age of Rashidun Caliphs is considered as the best age in the history of Islam in terms of practicing justice in all the aspects in general and specifically financial issues, due to intensive censorship and follow up by the employees of the government and by the Caliphs themselves, giving the right of every right holders and practicing Islam completely.