the “register system” for them: a revenue register for money collected, and a register of stipends and expenditures for money disbursed. He also founded garrison towns for them, establishing Kufa, Basra, and Fustāt. He did not wish a great river, such as the Tigris, Euphrates, or Nile, to separate him from the Muslim army, so he situated these towns on the side nearest him.

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The mosques were “the seats of the rulers and the gathering places of the community.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) founded his blessed mosque upon piety. In it, prayer, Quran recitation, remembrance of Allah, teaching, and sermons took place. It was also the place for governing, conferring military standards and banners, and appointing commanders and headmen. There the Muslims gathered around him to address their concerns regarding their religious and worldly affairs.

The same applied to his governors in places such as Mecca, Tā’if, the regions of Yemen, and other towns and villages, as well as his officials among the desert communities. They had a gathering place where they prayed and where their affairs were governed, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“The Children of Israel were governed by the prophets. Whenever a prophet passed away, another prophet succeeded him. There will be no prophet after me, but there will be caliphs whose conduct you will approve of and disapprove of.” They asked, “What, then, do you command us to do?” He replied, “Honour the pledge of allegiance given to the first, then the next, and ask Allah on your own behalf, for Allah will question them about those He entrusted to their care.”