At that time...

At that time, ʿAli Ibn Abi Talib (as) said: ‘Start the Muslim calendar from the day that the Messenger of God migrated and left the land of polytheism [Mecca].’” ʿUmar accepted his suggestion and thus the Islamic calendar began with the Hijrah – the migration to Medina.”[^3] In the book, al-Bidayah wa al-nihayah , it has been cited that when ʿUmar wanted to date writings which had been done up until that point, he wished to start [Islamic] history from the date of the birth of the Prophet of God (S).

Later on, he changed his mind and said that he would start it from the biʿthah (the official appointment of (S) to prophethood).

At this point in time, ʿAli Ibn Abi Talib (as) gave his opinion that they should take the Hijrah or migration from Mecca to Medina as the starting point to which ʿUmar agreed and began to use this date in his writings.[^4] In the book, The History of Tabari, as narrated by Ibn ʿUmar, it has been mentioned that after the conquest of Qadisiyyah and Damishq (The Levant), ʿUmar (b.

Al-Khattab) gathered the people in Medina together and said to them: “In your opinion, how much wealth from the public treasury should I be allowed to use on my own personal self?’ Those present each spoke out with an opinion, however ʿAli (as) remained silent. ʿUmar said: ‘O ʿAli!

What do you think?’ To this, ʿAli (as) replied: ‘Only that amount which brings about ease for you and your family and other than this, there is no more wealth from the public treasury which is permissible for you.’ Everyone present replied: ‘The [correct] opinion is that of ʿAli Ibn Abi Talib.’”[^5] In addition, in the book Rabiʿ al-abrar it has been mentioned that: “During the era of the reign of ʿUmar b.

al-Khattab, a discussion once ensued in his presence in regards to the numerous precious, expensive chains which were upon the Kaʿbah , used as decorations. A group of people said to him: ‘If we were to sell them and use that money to mobilize and equip the Muslim army, the reward would be much greater [than just having them hang on the Kaʿbah].