Contextual Eloquence in Omar Ben Al Khattab’s Judicial Narrations

Abstract

Judicial literature is a pillar in a nation's culture and mentality. This research aims at studying this literature in the performance of Omar Ben AlKhattaab, may he be pleased by God, who is considered a pioneer in composing this literature for the purpose of setting up a state of justice and equality. Omar's judicial narrated accounts are studied in two directions. The first direction studies their contents to demonstrate the valued and human dimensions that secure the highest possible human level of justice. The second direction studies the modes of expression that make the texts cohesive and coherent to achieve certain literary objectives of comprehension, stimulation, and persuasion. The research finds that Omar Ben Al Khattaab was concerned about accommodating judges and litigants with all physical and moral conditions to spread an atmosphere of integrity and justice for the judiciary acts among people. The research also finds that the language of legislative propositions is congruent with the occasions when these propositions were said and the reasons why they were said. These propositions are succinct, simple in structure and direct to suit the human innate nature and disposition. They also use structures and styles suitable for any occasion or thought to render the desired emotional and intellectual effect. They prove to be a model for administrative literature in the early post-Islamic era.