It will not be possible to give a full account of this lofty status of human equality unless we are properly aware of the principles of Islamic society regarding high-ranking people. Only when the elders stand in line with the younger ones and the only basis of excellence and greatness - not descent, rank and wealth but character - can real equality be established. Respect and esteem for children alone cannot establish true equality.
Imam Abu Yusuf (R) writes in his Kitabul Kharaj that once Hazrat Omar (R) sent his staff to meet him during Hajj. When they arrived on time, Hazrat Omar (R) addressed them and the assembled people.
I have appointed these employees for your supervision and service with utmost honesty. I did not appoint them to interfere with your life and property. So if any of you have a complaint against an employee, he should stand up and talk about it. On that day only one person stood up and said Amirul Muminin! Your employee has unjustly flogged me a hundred times.
Hazrat Omar (R) asked, Do you also want to beat him? Come take revenge. Then 'Amr ibn al-'As stood up and said, Amir al-mu'minin, if you start treating your employees like this, it will be very difficult for them. It will become a permanent tradition and your successors will follow suit.
Hazrat Omar (R) said so I will not allow this person to take revenge? But I have seen the Prophet (peace be upon him) take revenge on himself. Aim at the man and take revenge. Amr ibn al-As said, Give us a chance to satisfy the man.
Hazrat Omar (R) gave permission. Then they satisfied the man with two hundred dinars. You have to pay two dinars for each whip. It is true that 'Amr ibn al-'As removed the danger from another employee, but when his own son was accused of beating an Egyptian boy,' Umar took revenge on him and did not allow 'Amr to raise a child. At the time of taking revenge, Hazrat Omar (R) said, Strike the son of this rich man. Amr ibn al-Asr also had to be punished. But the Egyptian man forgives and refrains from beating.
And one day Hazrat Omar (R) was sitting and distributing some money among the Muslims. The crowd gathered. Sa'd ibn Abi Akkas advanced and pushed the other people towards Umar. These disciples are the children of prominent aristocratic families. Hazrat Omar (R) said to him, You do not respect the glory of Allah's rule over the earth, but in the eyes of Allah's rule, I felt the need to show you that your influence is not worth a dime.
One could say that he was the caliph. Who compares to him? For this reason, we will now see how much freedom and fearlessness his subjects have shown in front of the caliphs and kings. The real source of this freedom of expression and fearlessness in expressing opinions is the freedom of conscience and wisdom given by Islam and full equality in words and deeds.