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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of The Caliphs Uthman’s Caliphate Caliphate Council and ‘Uthman’s Election 'Umar consulted with Prophet's (S) companions in several cases while never compelling himself to fulfill their notions. It should be said when 'Umar had no idea in some cases, he benefited others'. In judicial issues, he preferred Imam 'Ali's idea tens of times.

He consulted with companions about Hijra calendering and conceded Imam's opinion on determining “Prophet's Hijra” as the beginning (era) of Islamic date.[^1] Another example of consulting with Imam leading to his approved idea was about lands of Iraq.[^2] The other one is about going out of Medina during the war with Iranians and defining a leader for Iranian troops.[^3] In his suggesting to do some things, 'Umar cited favoring companions and consulting with them.[^4] Considering these counsellings, some have said that basically a consultative assembly was regularly taking place in a mosque and the political system during 'Umar's rule was a kind of democracy, even close to a republic.[^5] This view fails to comply with the truth of that time and what history has reported.

Occasional counsels are parted from parliaments that adopt the majority of votes and regularly interfere with the affairs. The source of Amir 'Ali's utterance is what Qaďi Abu Yusuf [^6] said as in the mosque there was the meeting of upper class among whom were the heads of tribes coming to Medina.

He has named this group “people of Shura.” Mentioning Amir 'Ali's inaccuracy in using words like “parliament,” about the current meaning of this word, and Ibrahim Bayďun says, “There was nothing called “parliament” as an established and influential board in the regime in that age.” As 'Umar had a great influence in domestic and foreign political and all governmental affairs, this issue is more applicable in 'Umar's time.

In fact, the afore-mentioned is the extension of the same thing in the Prophet's age.[^7] It has been quoted from Imam as-Sadiq (a) that emigrants usually sat in the mosque and 'Umar confided the events in them, e.g. he asked them how to treat Magi (Majus), then “Prophet treated them as Muslims”, 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn 'Awf said.[^8] As said, 'Umar also consulted with the companions about writing traditions and 'Ali, unlike their approval, refused to do so.

In caliph's opinion, another example of consultation is matter of caliphate.