Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta in Islam: Establishment and development.

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

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Written by Dr. Ragheb Elsergany

Establishment of Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta

The reason for the establishment of the Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta was to list the troops, register their ethnic and geographic affiliations, distribute their payments, allocate their salaries, set time for their payment and to register their armament in order to make it easy for soldiers and to provide subsidy and pension for their families[1]. The books of history unanimously agreed that the Diwan Al-Jund was first established by the Commander of the Faithful Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him).

After the death of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) assumed the caliphate and he had a special policy in running the State affairs, especially the financial affairs. He established the Diwan Al-A’ta (like the ministry of finance at the present time). As the Islamic caliphate’s resources, money and lands increased, Umar thought of the best mechanism to distribute the money among the people. Abu Bakr used to distribute the spoils and money among the people fairly, with no difference between old Muslims and new converts. When some companions objected and asked him about this, he said: “How shall I know about old and senior Muslims. This is the business of Allah (be He Exalted). This is a pension.” [2]

However, Umar’s view was different. He set some general principles for distributing money to people. These principles included the degree of kinship to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and precedence in Islam and jihad (holy fighting). He preferred the soldiers according to their fighting skills as well as their distance from the land of the enemy. [3]

As the distribution of money among people varied according to these principles, it was necessary to establish an independent office for this purpose. The establishment of the Diwan Al-A’ta is evidence for the fact that the Islamic civilization has adopted the principle of organization and appropriate standards since ancient times. Diwan Al-A’ta was one of the most organized and accurate institutions since its inception. Umar did not exclude anyone from the distribution of money. He even listed the newborns among those who receive money. The policy of this divan was flexible with the events and developments, as it enrolled the Persian and Roman soldiers who converted to Islam. [4]

Some Prophet’s companions, such as Hakim ibn Hizam, refused to take that money out of piety. Hakim learned a lesson from the Prophet (peace be upon him) when he said: "O Hakim! This property is like a sweet fresh fruit; whoever takes it without greediness, he is blessed in it, and whoever takes it with greediness, he is not blessed in it.” [5]Undoubtedly, this reflects the moral regulations that the Islamic civilization was keen to implant in the Muslims who received that money.

Diwan Al-A’ta in Umayyad dynasty

In the era of the Umayyad Caliphate, Mu’awiyah ibn Abu Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered that those who have no contact with their families, and those of unknown origin should be paid by the Diwan Al-A’ta. This came upon a request from Abdullah ibn Safwan ibn Umayyah (may Allah be pleased with him). [6]

The increase of allowances varied according to the ability of soldiers and leaders and their participation in fighting and conquests. Abd-al-Malik ibn Marwan honored Musa ibn Nusayr when the latter liberated Africa in 83 AH. Al-Hajjaj honored Al-Muhallab ibn Abu Sufrah and his companions for their efforts in the eradication of the Kharijites. He increased their allowances, and then said: "These are the doers of actions, and they deserve the funds. These are the protectors of the borders and the rage of enemies." [7]

Diwan Al-A’ta in Abbasid dynasty

As a result of the importance of the Diwan Al-A’ta, the State looked for people of knowledge and experience to assign them the task of chairing the divan. Abu Ja’far Al-Mansur appointed Al-Layth ibn Sa'd (may Allah have mercy on him), the great scholar and jurisprudent, as head of that divan[8]. No wonder in this, as the Islamic caliphate used to assign the people of knowledge, righteousness and administrative capability the task of taking care for its public interests. The task of the chief of the Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta was confined to "calculation and registration of the marks of animals and the ornaments of people." [9]

Experienced in the conditions of the troops and the people, the chief of the divan was promoted within the State institutions. Sometimes, he assumed the command of armies. Abbasid Caliph Al-Muktafi (died in 295 AH) appointed Muhammad ibn Sulayman, the chief of Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta, as commander of the armies in order to fight the Qaramites who rebelled against the Abbasid Caliphate. [10]

Diwan Al-A’ta had historic importance in the examination of disputed issues, such as the death of a certain man. The divan recorded the death of many dignitaries whose death was not registered elsewhere. Thus, the divan served as a place for national documents in all countries of the Islamic caliphate. In conversation between an old man visiting Hims and one of the residents who is a relative of fighter Khalid ibn Ma'dan Al-Kala’i, the visitor said he met Al-Kala’i in the battle of Armenia in 108 AH, but Al-Kala’i's relatives said he died in 104 AH. The two sides resorted to the documents kept at Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta, and they found out that the man died in 104 AH. [11]

Diwan Al-A’ta in Andalusia

Diwan Al-A’ta allocated allowances for poets during the Umayyad dynasty in Andalusia. They were paid according to the quality of their poetry. Ahmad ibn Muhammad Al-Qastali praised Al-Mansur ibn Abu Amir in a wonderful poem, in which he emulated a poem composed by famous linguist Sa’id ibn Al-Hasan Al-Andalusi. People misunderstood Al-Qastali’s poem and accused him over it. In the era of Al-Mansur ibn Amir, a special divan was designed for paying the poets. Al-Qastali was brought to Al-Mansur on charge of plagiarism and that he should not be registered in the Diwan Al-A’ta. He met Al-Mansur on Thursday, 3 Shawwal 382 AH. Al-Mansur questioned him over the poem, but he managed to refute the charge leveled against him. So, Al-Mansur gave him hundred dinars and registered him among other poets. [12]

Diwan Al-A’ta in Mamluks dynasty

During the Mamluks dynasty, the chief of Diwan Al-A’ta was called the inspector of the army, according to Ibn Khaldun. This means that the importance of the functions of the divan increased in that era.

In summary, the Diwan Al-Jund wa Al-A’ta was one of the most important features of the Islamic civilization throughout its long history. Through this divan, the administrative institution in the State could organize handouts and payments for the people and soldiers in a wonderful and civilized manner.

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