economic thought of the rightly guided caliphs 105could buy it from them?”; the dialogue between Umar and the buyer
was concluded (Abù-Ubaid).
(2) The distribution of land to Muslim soldiers was bound to cre-
ate class distinctions in Islamic society. In this Umar referred to the
Qur"ànic verses of spoils distribution which concluded that the method
of distribution, which Umar adopted, was meant to prevent, or alle-
viate, the circulation of wealth only amongst the rich (Qur"àn, 59:7).
(3) The welfare of future generations should not be sacrificed for
the sake of the well-being of the present one. “If I distributed the
land, nothing would be left for those who will come after you and
who will find that the land had already been distributed and inher-
ited”, Caliph Umar explained.
(4) The distribution of the new land would limit the ability of the
state to establish the system of social security which Umar seemed
to have envisaged. If the land was distributed “what would be left
for the descendants and the widows of this land and for the people
of Syria and Iraq?” Umar exclaimed.
(5) Umar seemed to have favoured a form of socialism based on
Islamic teachings where, while private ownership is allowed, public
ownership is permissible for the sake of society. “I have distributed
whatever property they acquired as booty amongst those who deserved
but I have taken out the fifth and have allocated this on the pre-
scribed basis. I believe that I should nationalise these lands and
impose on them taxes, and on their occupants a poll tax which they
should pay. This would be a permanent booty for the Muslim cause
to help the soldiers, their descendants and for those who come after
them,” Umar stated in the general debate.
Secondly, military reasons
(6) The need of the state for individuals to protect the conquered
areas and to pursue the Islamic Holy War, Jihàd. “Don’t you see
these frontiers? It is necessary to appoint men to defend them”,
Caliph Umar continued.
(7) The need of the state for a regular source of finance to spend
on defense and new expeditions. That source would be generated
from land tax, Kharàj, if the land was kept in the hands of the hold-
ers with state ownership. “Have you seen these great cities like Syria,
Jazira, Kufa, Basra and Egypt? It is imperative to appoint military
governors there and to fix their stipends. From where will these be
paid if I distributed all the land and mules?” Caliph Umar defended
his view in the debate.