Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 40483 — Reports on Uthman (may Allah be)

Al-Aqra' narrates that Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) called a bishop. Sayyiduna Umar was questioning him while I was shading the two of them. Sayyiduna Umar said to him: Do you find mention of us in your books? He said: Yes, there is mention of your qualities and your deeds. Sayyiduna Umar asked: What is it? He said: I find you to be a horn of iron. Sayyiduna Umar was somewhat disturbed by this, and then asked: What is a horn of iron? The bishop replied: A strong, trustworthy man. Sayyiduna Umar was pleased at this. Then he said: What do you find after me? He replied: A truthful caliph who will give preference to his relatives. Sayyiduna Umar said: May Allah have mercy on Ibn Affan. Then Sayyiduna Umar asked: What do you find after him? He said: A crack in the iron. Sayyiduna Umar had something in his hand which he was turning over; he threw it down and said two or three times: 'Ya Dafrah' (O one who will be disgraced). The bishop said: Do not say that, O Amir al-Mu'minin, for he will be a Muslim caliph and a righteous man; but he will become caliph at a time when the sword is drawn and blood is being shed. Then Sayyiduna Umar turned to me and said: Come to the prayer.