The social order of the orthodox caliphate: An overview

The caliphate of First four rightly guided caliphs is known as Orthodox caliphate. There were Muslim and non-Muslim, and Arab and non-Arab people in the society under the orthodox caliphs. It consisted of the tribalism, feudalism and slavery, and were also divided into the several classes and sections. Arabs become the ruling people, and were divided into several classes. Aristocrats adopted luxurious life, Makkah in Hijaz and Syria in Damascus symbolized this class. Arabian way of life was still preserved by the middle class of Arabic Society, Madina in Hijaz and Kufa and Basra in Iraq symbolized this class.

Mawali were the newly converted Muslims and were deprived class among Muslims. In the Caliphate of Hazrat Umer, he granted many of them the pensions from the Diwan but after him this system was closed. They were workers, shopkeepers and craftsmen. They dwelt into the towns of newly conquered provinces, in Madina and in Makkah.

Non-Muslims were more in numbers outside the Islamic Peninsula, under the Islamic Empire. They were free to follow their religion and were not forcefully [J1] converted to Islam, and they were still having the possession of their land, all because of the institutions of Umer. Non-Muslims were of different religion: Christians, Jews, Malians etc. As they all had in their religion and culture different practices than Muslims, it was difficult for them to assimilate with culture and society of Muslims. But in the Caliphate of Hazrat Umer, due to the definite policies he overcame this problem.

Hazrat Umer tried his best to abolish the enslavement of people by following the ideas set by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). After the conquest of the lands, Hazrat Umer ordered the Governor and Chief Minister to not to take the houses and lands of the people on the condition of paying Jizya and Kharaj.

Women during the reign of the Orthodox caliphate enjoined a lot of freedom and certain rights and privileges which Islam had given to them. As many issues related to the marriage, family relations, divorce and responsibilities occurred these became the main cause of the development or evolution of Islamic law.

The Dhimmis were the non-Muslims and were the people of protection under the governance of Islamic State. These people and the Caliph and his commanders had treaties which guaranteed the protection of the Dhimmis.