Into how many provinces did Hazrat Umar (RA) divide the Muslim Empire for administrative purposes?

Hazrat Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), the second Rightly Guided Caliph of Islam, is widely admired for his exceptional administrative skills and state reforms. During his caliphate, the Islamic Empire expanded rapidly, covering vast regions including Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Persia, and Egypt. To govern this expanding territory efficiently, Hazrat Umar (RA) introduced a well-organized administrative system and divided the Muslim Empire into 10 provinces.

This division was done purely for administrative convenience, ensuring effective governance, justice, and accountability. Each province was placed under a governor (Wali) who was carefully selected based on integrity, competence, and piety. Hazrat Umar (RA) established strict accountability measures for these governors, requiring them to declare their assets before assuming office and monitoring their conduct closely. This practice minimized corruption and promoted justice.

The provinces included major regions such as Makkah, Madinah, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Basra, Kufa, Persia, Bahrain, and Yemen. By dividing the empire into these administrative units, Hazrat Umar (RA) ensured that law and order, tax collection, military organization, and public welfare were efficiently managed. Courts were set up, judges were appointed independently, and public treasuries (Bait-ul-Mal) were organized in each province.

Hazrat Umar’s administrative reforms laid the foundation of modern governance principles, including decentralization, accountability, and transparency. His system allowed the central government to maintain control while empowering provincial administrators to manage local affairs effectively.