Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Sa’d bin Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: When the people agreed to depose Hazrat Sa’eed bin Aas, they wrote a document among themselves stating that no one would be appointed over them except a person with whom they would be pleased for themselves and for their religion. While they were in this state, suddenly Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) arrived from Mada’in, bringing his document to them. He said, “O Abu Abdullah, we have dealt with this man as you have heard, then we wrote this document, and we wish that we do not make any definite decision in any matter without you.” Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) looked at their document, smiled, and said, “By Allah, I do not know which of the two matters you intended: whether you intended to appoint as leaders those who are not beneficial for you, or you intended to return this tribulation to the place where it will become unbridled and strong. Indeed, this tribulation is sent by Allah Almighty upon the earth; it grazes until it tramples its reins, so that none among the people has the power to stop it. None among the people fights in it except that he is killed, until Allah Almighty sends clouds like the clouds of autumn, and the fighting occurs among them.”