Características de los proyectos seleccionados en el grupo UNICORNIOS

Introduction :

1 After the death of Abdul Malik bin Marwan, his son Walid bin Abdul Malik ascended to the throne.

2 His reign has been held in high colours. For evidence following historians are quoted;

“He is in our eyes, the greatest and in every respect the most powerful and illustrious ruler amongst all the commanders of the faithful. ”

(WEIL)

“We shall not find in the annals of the caliphate a more glorious reign than that of Al-Walid.”

(William Muir)

“The reign of Walid was famous for the expansion in the annals of Islam.”

(E. Gibbon)

3 Alexander was a great conqueror, but his conquests could not turn into an Empire and lacked prudent administrative setup.

4 However, Walid bin Abdul Malik, not only made glorious conquests and victories which shine like gems in the pages of Islamic history, but also consolidated the Muslim Empire.

5 It was the second great period of Islamic expansion after Umar-I which made the Islamic Empire one of the largest Empires in the world history.

6 His Empire extended from the confines of China to the Bay of Biscay and from the sea of Oral the frontiers of Sindh and Punjab.

EXPANSION OF MUSLIM EMPIRE DURING WALID’s CALIPHATE:

7 Walid made Muslim Empire a tri-continental Empire conquering Sindh in Asia, Spain in Europe, and regions of North Africa.

CONQUEST OF SPAIN - 711 A.D

8 Tariq bin Zyad and Musa bin Nusayr were appointed by Walid to conquer Spain which they did in 711 A.D. (For further details see the chapter ‘CONQUESTS OF SPAIN’ in part-II).

CONQUEST OF SINDH -712 A.D

9 After the controversy created between Muslims and Raja Dahir, Muhammad bin Qasim was sent to the expedition of Sindh.

10 He turned down the Hindu might in Sindh and conquered it in 712 A.D CONQUEST OF NORTH AFRICA

11 Walid in his reign, sent Musa bin Nusayr to the conquest of North Africa.

12 Musa with his repeated attack on the Berbers finished their retaliation and conquered most of the North African countries. (For further details, see the chapter ‘MUSLIMS IN NORTH AFRICA’, part-II)

CONQUEST IN CENTRAL ASIA

13 Qutayba bin Muslim was appointed for expedition to the Central Asia.

14 Qutayba started his expedition from Khurasan, which was already in Muslim custody.

15 From there, he advanced to Balkh, Bukhara, Samarkand and ended in Kashghar in China.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF WALID i. Enlargement of Naval Fleet:

 Walid enlarged and strengthened the Muslim Naval Fleet.

 He divided the Fleet into five parts and deployed them around all the sea borders of the Muslim Empire.

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ii. Social Welfare:

1 Walid effected the construction of roads, wells and waiting houses.

2 He also initiated works for agricultural development.

3 He took measures for the financial assistance of the disabled.

iii. Literary Developments:

1 Unlike his father, he himself was an illiterate man.

2 Yet, he had great love and admiration for the man of letters.

3 He issued scholarships and fixed stipends for them and provided every help for the promotion of knowledge.

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iv. Development of Art:

2 He promoted construction of Mosques in Damascus.

3 He further sanctioned the reconstruction of Egyptian and Jerusalem Mosques.

4 He also had the honour of renovating the tomb of Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).

5 Most importantly, he made especial focus on the enlargement of Masjid-e-Nabvi.

“From the borders of China and the Banks of the Indus, to the Atlantic, Walid’s word was the law.”

(William Muir)

UMAR BIN ABDUL AZIZ (UMAR – II) 717-720 A.D Introduction:

1 After the death of Suleiman bin Abdul Malik, Umar bin Abdul Aziz became the caliph.

2 He stands out as a bright and noble exception among the godless, greedy and self-seeking rulers of the house of Umayyad.

3 The prime objective of Umar-II was to consolidate the Empire rather than to expand it and increase power and pelf.

4 It was because his rule was inspired by the considerations of religion.

5 His methods were based on justice, tolerance, moderation and public welfare.

6 He was deeply impressed by the spirit of Islam, particularly of his namesake Umar (R.A), the second pious caliph.

7 He copied all the methods which prevailed during the illustrious caliphate of Umar-I.

8 Thus, his caliphate was the return of the system of Umar (R.A), and he is rightly called the 5^th pious caliph.

Character and Achievements of Umar bin Abdul Aziz 1. A Democratic Ruler:

 Like his ideal, Umar-I, he was also democratic by birth.

 As a governor of Madinah, he established Majlis-e-Shura on the pattern of Hazrat Umar (R.A).

 When he was made successor of Suleiman, he refused to accept his succession until it was ratified by the people in a democratic way.

 Thus, from his election to the last day of his rule, he was democratic through and through.

2. Paragon of Justice:

1 Exactly like Umar-I, he ensured the provision of justice.

2 He was more concerned about the selection of a Qazi than a governor.

3 His justice worked regardless of the family, status and influence of the offender.

3. An egalitarian:

1 By the time he became caliph, the ethnic differences between Arab and Non-Arabs had been deep-rooted in the Muslims Empire.

2 Arab considered themselves superior to the non-Arab Muslims.

3 Umar discouraged this social evil and promoted the concept of equality in the Islamic Empire.

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4. Reconciliatory and Peaceful:

2 Umar was reconciliatory and peaceful by nature.

3 He stopped the practice of cursing Hazrat Ali (R.A) and his descendents which was started by his predecessors Umayyad caliphs.

4 His peacefulness impressed even the most violent faction of society i.e Kharjaites who gave up insurgency during his rule.

5 He also adopted peaceful foreign policy for the Muslim Empire.

5. Liberal and Tolerant:

3 Umar was most liberal and tolerant in his religious policy.

4 He permitted the restoration of Saint John church at Damascus which was put-off by Walid -I.

5 He also tendered religious freedom to the Jews.

6 He put an end to Umayyad hostility to the family of the Prophet (P.B.U.H).

5 He gave back the garden of ‘fidak’ to the heirs of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) 6. Simple and Modest:

1 He adopted the lifestyle of Hazrat Umar-I (R.A).

2 He drew a very meager salary for himself.

3 He asked his wife to discard jewelry given to her by her relatives.

4 He also returned all the lands and property which he received from his elders.

5 Thus, he was far from the worldly desires and ill-gotten gains.

REFORMS OF UMAR BIN ABDUL AZIZ

1. Eradication of administrative evils: Nepotism and Favouritism 2. Accountability of officers.

3. Return of exploited property.

4. Revenue reforms.

5. Treatment with dhimis.

6. Propagation of Islam.

7. Rectification of Bait-ul-Maal 8. Ban on un-Islamic traditions.

9. Abolition of the abuses in the sermon of Friday prayers.

10. Social welfare.