Umar ibn al-Khattab and the Ethics of Power
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious the Most Merciful
It is evident that the legacy of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه represented stability and justice, as expressed in the earlier article: Social Welfare in the Era of Umar ibn al-Khattab
When comparing early Islamic leaders to contemporary politicians, a clear contrast emerges between selfless leadership founded on Islamic principles verses secular governance operating on self interest and material gain.
How can we restore just and ethical leadership in the modern day? What prophetic qualities are essential to inspire a renewed era of principled rule? To explore this further, the following analysis examines the key leadership qualities in the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭab رضي الله عنه .
True Leaders Do not Seek Power
A main feature of leadership in the early Islamic caliphate was that it wasn’t sought but reluctantly accepted for the sake of the Muslims.
The process of selection was through shura (consultation) during the early years of the salaf to select a competent ruler. Leadership was something avoided due to the extreme responsibility and burden. The Prophet peace be upon him warned Abdur-Rahman bin Samura about leadership: "O 'Abdur-Rahman! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking (for it), then you will be helped (by Allah) in it.’
Bukhari Volume 9, Book 89, Number 260:
Setting a Clear Vision for the Future
After the death of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه Caliph Umar was selected to lead the ummah. After his appointment he addressed the Muslims and said: ‘‘I will not allow anyone to oppress…or to transgress the rights of others.” He promised not to take from the Muslims’ wealth or taxes except lawfully, to increase their stipends, protect the borders, and ensure the care of families and children while the men were away on military campaigns. He concluded by asking for sincere advice in running his affairs - setting the standard for his rule by seeking consent from the people. (As Sallabi, 2009, 172-4).
By giving a speech outlining his policies, Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb laid out a long term strategic vision. This is important as it gives citizens a future to look forward to and sets expectations.
This contrasts modern leaders, who offer no real alternatives for how their policies will take shape. They often criticise the current government from the opposition, yet fail to focus on how they intend to serve the people. It is not enough to analyse the status quo, nor to present a vague vision of hope. A true leader must clearly outline specific policies and how they will ensure prosperity for all.
This reflects the prophetic model, exemplified by the Prophet ﷺ in his address to the people following the conquest of Makkah—demonstrating the importance of leaders speaking with clarity, vision, and a future-oriented focus.
Rejecting Excess and Embracing Simplicity
Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, رضي الله عنه, established clear regulations for regional governors, ensuring they couldn’t be wasteful or extravagant. Public officers were expected to live an austere life and make their homes accessible to the people. Governors having guards at their door, or even a door itself was seen to deter people to approach for help or receive support. Amir Al Mum’mineen famously removed the door of Sa’ad ibn Abi Waqqas after hearing he installed a door to limit the noise from outside.
This was a strict rule to ensure accessibility, showing that the rights of the people triumphs a leader’s personal comfort. A ruler shouldn’t create a distance that alienates their constituents. As a result, the no-door policy prevented any such misunderstandings.
Removing the Unfit from Positions of Power
Insulting the dignity of others - whether it’s a leader to another, or disrespecting their subjects was unacceptable to Amir Al Mum’mineen who kept a strong standard of fairness. There was an incident where a leader was humiliated and came to the caliph for justice.
Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭab had appointed an Ansari man to stay with the leader of al Heerah - Amr ibn Hayyan ibn Baqeelah. The leader of al Heerah brought his guest food, drink and what he needed. But the Ansari man decided to play a joke on him, wiping his dirtied hand on his beard.
Upset, Amr ibn Hayyan went to Amir Al Mum’mineen and said: ‘I served Chosroes and Caesar and I was never intimidated in a manner in which I was intimidated in your reign.’
When the Caliph learned what happened, he summoned the Ansari man. He told him: ‘By Allah, were it not that I do not want to set a precedent, I [wouldn’t] have left a single hair of your beard without pulling it out. Now go, for by Allah you will never do any work for me.’
In the present day, insulting world leaders or attacking one another is treated as the basic rules of politics, where cruelty masquerades as strongman intimidation.
In the era of Umar ibn al Khattab رضي الله عنه, this wasn’t tolerated at any level and he would terminate the leadership of those who lacked professionalism. (as-Sallabi, 2009, 95-6)
Remaining Humble in the Face of Criticism
True leaders accept feedback and criticism from their citizens in order to improve and serve them better. It’s an expectation of those in authority to show humility to their populations. This was based on the understanding that actions are linked to Divine Accountability.
Notably, one of the seven groups who will gain shade under Allah the Exalted’s throne is a just ruler. This is due to the rarity in which a ruler exercises justice and fairness rather than resort to injustice and oppression.
An example of exercising humility was after Umar ibn al-Khattab encountered a woman sitting around a fire whose children were crying.
He asked her why they were crying and she told him they were hungry and they had nothing to eat, causing her to boil water to convince them a meal was being made.
She told him, without realising he was Amir Al Mumineen, ‘Allah will judge between us and Umar.’
When the Caliph heard this, he said ‘O lady! May Allah have mercy on you! How could Umar have known about your circumstances?’
She replied: ‘He is the guardian of our affairs and yet he is unaware of our conditions.’
The Caliph immediately rushed to collect bags of flour and provisions. When a companion offered to help he replied: ‘Will you carry my burden on the Day of Judgement?’
He stayed to cook a dish made of flour and milk in a pot, stirring it and giving instructions until the food was cooked and the children had eaten their fill. He left the remaining food with them.
When the caliph stood up to leave, the lady said ‘May Allah the Almighty reward you in the best manner. You are more deserving of this [reward] than Amir Al Mum’mineen.’
Upon this, the caliph said, ‘You should speak that which is good. When you go to Amir Al Mum’mineen, you will find me there, insha-Allah.’
Leaders like Caliph Umar devoted themselves to serving the people, who expected and demanded the highest standards from him. This sharply contrasts with some Western views of leadership, where power is seen as the state’s control over its citizens rather than prioritising their needs.
How Do we Revive Ethical leadership Today?
The governance of Umar ibn al-Khattab رضي الله عنه has shown that the principles of accountability, justice and fair governance is possible. A Muslim must never look at today’s age of corrupt politicians and believe this is the norm - let alone tolerate it.
The success of Amir Al Mum’mineen’s caliphate was due to the continuation of the prophetic leadership model built on protecting the poor, weak and holding oneself accountable.
Just leadership is for every Muslim - to be a just parent, child, spouse, educator, business owner, employee - it is not only relegated to a leader of a nation.
If one’s leaders have failed them, the obligation to restore justice falls back on the people who must resist, oppose and mobilise. This must be done through the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ who provided a value based framework to be incorporated into today’s age.
Muslims must support one another to establish justice, whether it’s with their knowledge, money, voice, time or comfort to push back against draconian policies - whether censorship, state control, surveillance and above all - the continual massacring and starvation of our brothers and sisters abroad.
It’s our duty to restore prophetic leadership to this ummah once more, using examples from our history - not as a past story but as a framework of revival.
May Allah bring forth just and righteous leaders from this generation who will bring back righteous and principled leadership. Ameen.
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Please benefit the ummah by sharing this knowledge by downloading a transcript below. Please feel free to use for your own research or personal study, Jazakallah khair.
Bibliography
313 Companions (n.d.) Taking Care of People with His Own Hands – Umar (ra) bin Khattab. Available at: https://313companions.org/incident/1df8172b-01be-46fb-8996-851d3053592a/taking-care-of-people-with-his-own-hands (Accessed: 7 August 2025).
A.Keeler, 2019, Rethinking Islam & the West: A New Narrative for the Age of Crisis, Equilibra Press
Hadith of the Day 2013, ‘The Seven Under Allah’s Shade’ Available at: https://hadithoftheday.com/the-seven-under-allahs-shade/ (Accessed: 7 August 2025).
Muslim Youth Foundation (2015) Umar Ibn Khattab (RA). Available at: https://myf.org.uk/2015/04/umar-ibn-kattab-ra/ (Accessed: 7 August 2025) Muslim Youth Foundation+1
Muhammad as-Sallabi, 2009 ‘Umar ibn Al Khattab, His life and Times, Vol 2, Ali International islamic Publishing House’ (Accessed: 7 August 2025): https://margatemasjid.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Umar-Ibn-Al-khattab-Volume-2.pdf
