The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (R.A). The creation of a dedicated department for internal security, known as As-Surtah, was one of the many visionary administrative reforms introduced during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab. While the basic concept... Read More
The correct answer is Hazrat Umar (R.A). The creation of a dedicated department for internal security, known as As-Surtah, was one of the many visionary administrative reforms introduced during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab. While the basic concept of maintaining order existed previously, it was during the second Caliphate that this function was formalized into a distinct department of the state, separate from the military.
During the reign of Hazrat Umar, the Islamic state expanded at an unprecedented rate, incorporating vast territories across Persia, Egypt, and the Levant. This rapid growth brought about new social complexities. The simple societal structure of early Medina was replaced by a massive empire containing people of various cultures, languages, and legal traditions.
To manage this, Hazrat Umar realized that the military, which was focused on external defense and frontier expansion, could not effectively handle civil disputes, market regulations, or nighttime security within the cities. Consequently, he laid the groundwork for a civil police force that would be responsible for the day-to-day safety of the citizenry.
One of the most distinctive features of Hazrat Umar’s policing system was the introduction of Al-Asas. This was a system of night patrols where guards moved through the streets of Medina and other major cities to prevent theft, monitor public safety, and ensure that no citizen was in distress.
Hazrat Umar was famously known to participate in these patrols personally. He would walk the streets at night, often in disguise, to observe the condition of his people firsthand. These patrols were not merely about catching criminals; they were a proactive measure to ensure that the vulnerable—such as the elderly, travelers, and children—were looked after. This "community policing" approach ensured a high level of trust between the government and the public.
The Department of Police under Hazrat Umar was structured with clear hierarchies. He appointed specific individuals to lead the police in various provinces. For instance, he appointed Sahaba like Abdullah ibn Mas'ud to oversee administrative and security functions in Kufa.
The responsibilities of the police extended beyond crime prevention. They were tasked with:
Market Oversight: Ensuring that weights and measures were accurate and that no hoarding or price-gouging occurred.
Public Morality: Discouraging public nuisances and maintaining the sanctity of religious sites.
Prison Reform: It was during this period that formal prison buildings were purchased and established to replace the older system of house arrests or temporary detentions.
The police system established by Hazrat Umar set a precedent for all subsequent Islamic dynasties. The Umayyads and Abbasids later expanded upon his model, creating the office of Sahib al-Shurta (Chief of Police), which became one of the most powerful positions in the state.
By separating the police from the army, Hazrat Umar ensured that internal law enforcement remained a civil matter, focused on the protection of the individual's rights rather than military subjugation. This innovation remains a foundational study in the history of Islamic jurisprudence and public administration, highlighting a leader who prioritized the rule of law and the safety of his subjects above all else.
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