Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 36045 — The affair of al-Qadisiyyah

Aslam said that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin al-Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) was in charge of the public treasury of the Muslims. He said to Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him): "O Commander of the Faithful, we have the jewellery of Jalula' and its vessels of gold and silver. Give your opinion concerning them." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "When you see me free, tell me about this." One day he came and said: "O Commander of the Faithful, today you are free." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Spread a mat on the bridge." A mat was spread and all that wealth was poured onto it. Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) stood by it and said: "O Allah, You have mentioned this wealth and You have said: 'Beautified for people is the love of desires: of women, sons, and heaped-up stores of gold and silver' [Al Imran: 14], and You have said: 'So that you may not grieve over what has escaped you, nor exult over what He has given you' [Al-Hadid: 23]. O Allah, it is not within our power not to rejoice in what You have made beautiful for us. O Allah, spend it in the way of truth, and I seek refuge in You from its evil."