Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

It is narrated from Hazrat Zubayd bin al-Harith that when the time of death of Hazrat Abu Bakr came, he sent a messenger to Hazrat Umar. And Hazrat Abu Bakr appointed Hazrat Umar as the caliph. Upon this, the people said, "You are appointing over us a stern and harsh man as caliph. And if he becomes our ruler, he will become even more stern and harsh." So when you appoint Hazrat Umar as caliph over us, what answer will you give your Lord when you meet your Creator?" Hazrat Abu Bakr replied, "Are you trying to frighten me with my Lord? I will answer (Allah Ta'ala): O Allah! I have appointed the best person among Your creation as caliph over the people."

2. Then Hazrat Abu Bakr sent a messenger to Hazrat Umar (and after calling him) said, "If you remember, I give you a will. Surely, during the day, there is a right of Allah Ta'ala which He does not accept at night, and (similarly) there is a right of Allah Ta'ala at night which He does not accept during the day. And indeed, until the obligatory acts are fulfilled, the voluntary acts are not accepted. And those whose deeds will be heavy in the balance on the Day of Judgment, their deeds will be heavy only because in the world they followed the truth, and the truth was weighty upon them. And it is also true for the balance that (when) only the truth is placed in it, it becomes heavy. And those whose deeds will be light in the balance on the Day of Judgment, it will only be because they followed falsehood, and falsehood was light upon them. And it is also true for the balance that when only falsehood is placed in it, it becomes light."

3. And surely Allah Ta'ala has mentioned the people of Paradise because of their best deeds and has forgiven their mistakes. So a person may say, "I cannot reach them." And (similarly) Allah Ta'ala has mentioned the people of Hell with their evil deeds, and has also stated that Allah Ta'ala has rejected the righteous deeds of the people of Hell. So a person may say, "I am better than them." And Allah Ta'ala has mentioned both the verse of mercy and the verse of punishment so that the believer may have hope as well as fear. He should not have unjustified hopes in Allah Ta'ala, nor should he cast himself into destruction with his own hands.

4. So if you safeguard my will, then no unseen thing will be more beloved to you than death. And if you neglect my will, then no unseen thing will be more hateful to you than death. And you can never overcome death.

It is narrated from Hazrat Qais bin Hazim that I saw Hazrat Umar bin Khattab, and in his hand was a branch of a date palm, and he was seating the people and saying: Listen to the words of the Caliph of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The narrator says: Then the slave of Hazrat Abu Bakr—who was called Shadeed—came with a letter, and he read it out to the people. He said: Hazrat Abu Bakr says: Listen to and obey the man whose name is in this document. By Allah! I have left nothing undone in bringing you to goodness. Qais, the narrator, says: Then after that, I saw Hazrat Umar bin Khattab on the pulpit.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah that among all people, the three most discerning individuals were: Hazrat Abu Bakr, when he showed insight regarding Hazrat Umar and appointed him as caliph; and (secondly) the woman who said, { اسْتَأْجِرْہُ ، إِنَّ خَیْرَ مَنِ اسْتَأْجَرْتَ الْقَوِیُّ الأَمِینُ }; and (thirdly) the Aziz of Egypt when he said to his wife, { أَکْرِمِی مَثْوَاہُ }.

Narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Maymoon that I came and saw that Hazrat Umar, Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him), and Uthman bin Hunaif were standing together and saying: Beware that you have given the land for such compensation which is more than its capacity. Hazrat Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If I wish, I can double the compensation for my land. And Hazrat Uthman said: I have kept my land for such a deal which is according to it, and there is not much increase in it. Hazrat Umar said: If Allah keeps me safe, I will leave the needy people of Iraq in such a state that after me, they will not be in need of anyone else. The narrator says: Then only four days had passed when Hazrat Umar was martyred.

2. The narrator says: When Hazrat Umar would enter the mosque, he would stand between the rows and say: Straighten the rows. When the people would straighten, he would say the takbeer. The narrator says: Then (one morning) when he started the prayer, he was attacked at his place. The narrator says: Then I heard him say: The dog has killed me... or... the dog has devoured me. The narrator Amr says: I do not know what he said? There was no one between me and him except Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them). Then Hazrat Umar took Abdur Rahman bin Auf by the hand and put him forward... The killer started running while he had a double-edged dagger in his hand. Whoever he passed by on the right or left, he would strike him, until he wounded thirteen people. Then out of those wounded, nine people also died. The narrator says: When a Muslim saw this scene, he threw a big sheet over him to catch him. Then when the killer realized that he would be caught, he killed himself.

3. The narrator says: Then we performed a light Fajr prayer. The narrator says: The people at the edges of the mosque did not even know what had happened. Yes, when they did not hear Hazrat Umar (his voice), they started saying: Subhan Allah! Subhan Allah! Then when the people left, the first person who came to Hazrat Umar was Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them). Hazrat Umar said (to him): See (find out) who has killed me? The narrator says: Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) turned a little and came back and informed: The craftsman slave of Mughirah. And this slave was a carpenter. The narrator says: Upon this Hazrat Umar said: All praise is for that Being who did not cause my death at the hands of a person who claimed to be a Muslim. May Allah destroy him. Surely, I had ordered him to do good. The narrator says: Then Hazrat Umar said to Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them): Indeed, you and your father liked that there should be more non-Arabs in Madinah. The narrator says: Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: If you wish, we will do this. He said: After you have said your word, performed your prayer, and completed your rites.

4. The narrator says: The people said to Hazrat Umar: You have no (major) problem. The narrator says: Then Hazrat Umar asked for nabidh (a drink) and drank it, but it came out of his wounds. Then Hazrat Umar asked for milk and drank it, but that too came out of his wounds. Thus, he became certain of his death. So he said to Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them): See what debt is upon me and calculate it. Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) said: Eighty-six thousand. Hazrat Umar said: If this debt can be paid from the wealth of the family of Umar, then pay it from their wealth on my behalf. Otherwise, ask from Banu Adi bin Ka'b. Then if it can be paid from their wealth, fine, otherwise ask from the Quraish, and do not ask from anyone else. And pay this debt on my behalf.

5. Go to Ummul Momineen Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) and convey my greetings and say: Umar bin Khattab... do not say the word "Ameerul Momineen" because I am not the leader of the people at this time... seeks permission to be buried with his two companions (the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and Abu Bakr). The narrator says: When Abdullah bin Umar went to Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), he found her sitting and weeping. Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) greeted her and then said: Umar bin Khattab seeks permission to be buried with his companions. Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: By Allah! I wanted this for myself (i.e., to be buried in the chamber), but today I give preference to Umar Farooq over myself for this night (to be buried in the chamber). Then when Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) returned, it was said: This is Abdullah bin Umar (who has returned). The narrator says: Hazrat Umar said: M

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Maymoon Audhi that when the time of Hazrat Umar bin Khattab’s death approached, he said: Call Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Hazrat Talha, Hazrat Zubair, Hazrat Uthman, Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf, and Hazrat Sa’d to me. The narrator says: Then Hazrat Umar spoke only to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Uthman from among them. So he said: O Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)! Perhaps these people recognize your kinship (to the Prophet) and what Allah Almighty has granted you of knowledge and understanding. So fear Allah. And if this matter (the caliphate) is entrusted to you, then do not elevate the Banu Fulan above the necks of other people (i.e., do not give them superiority). And Hazrat Umar said to Hazrat Uthman: O Uthman! Perhaps these people recognize your relationship to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) as a son-in-law, your age, and your nobility. So if you are appointed to this matter (the caliphate), then fear Allah and do not elevate the Banu Fulan above the necks of other people. Then Hazrat Umar said: Call Suhaib to me. And he said to him: You should lead the people in prayer for three days. These (aforementioned) individuals should gather together and make a decision in private. Then if they agree upon one man, kill the one who opposes him.

It is narrated from Hazrat Isa bin Talha and Hazrat Urwah bin Zubair that Hazrat Umar said: Suhaib should lead the prayer for three days. And you observe; if they (the caliph) are chosen, then fine, otherwise the Ummah of Muhammad (peace be upon him) will not be left neglected for more than three days.

Hazrat Ma’dan bin Abi Talhah Ya’mari narrates that Hazrat Umar bin Khattab stood up to deliver the sermon on Friday or he delivered the Friday sermon… Then he praised Allah Almighty, then mentioned the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). Then Hazrat Umar said: O people! I have seen a dream. It is as if there was a rooster that pecked me twice, and I interpret this dream as an allusion to the completion of my life. And people are telling me to appoint a caliph. Be certain that Allah Almighty will not let His religion or the caliphate be lost, nor will He let that be lost with which Allah Almighty sent His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So if death comes to me soon, then the caliphate will be decided by consultation among those six people with whom the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was pleased when he departed. Whichever of them you pledge allegiance to, then listen to him and obey him. Surely I know that soon some people will criticize this matter. If they do so, they will be enemies of Allah, disbelievers, and misguided. 2. I have not left any discussion after me more important than the matter of kalalah, and indeed I asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) about it. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) did not show me such strictness in anything as he did in this (kalalah). Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O Umar! The verse of summer (ayah al-sayf) revealed at the end of Surah Nisa is sufficient for you.” And if I live longer, soon I will make such a decision about kalalah that no one will differ in this matter, whether he has read the Qur’an or not. 3. Then Hazrat Umar said… O Allah! I make You a witness over the governors of the cities, because I sent them only so that they may teach the people their religion and the Sunnah of their Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and distribute their fay among them, and do justice among them, and bring to me whatever matter is unclear to them. 4. Then Hazrat Umar said: O people! You eat two such plants (produce) that I consider impure (disliked): garlic and onion. Indeed, I used to see a man in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that if this smell came from him, he would be taken by the hand and taken out until he was brought to Baqi’. So whoever must eat them, let him cook them to kill their smell. 5. The narrator says: Thus Hazrat Umar delivered this sermon on Friday, and on Wednesday he was wounded. There were still four days left in Dhu al-Hijjah.

Narrated from Hazrat Jariyah bin Qudamah Sa'di: He says, the year in which Hazrat Umar was wounded, I performed Hajj that year. He states that... Hazrat Umar delivered a sermon and said in it: I have seen (in a dream) that a rooster pecked me two or three times. Then, after that, about a Friday or close to it had passed when Hazrat Umar was attacked. The narrator says: First, the companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) were granted permission. Then the people of Madinah were granted permission, then the people of Shaam were granted permission, then the people of Iraq were granted permission. Thus, we were the last people to be present before Hazrat Umar. His stomach was tied with a black cloth and blood was flowing. Whenever some people would come into the presence of Hazrat Umar, the people would weep and praise him. We said to him: Advise us. And none besides us asked him for advice... So Hazrat Umar said: Hold fast to the Book of Allah, for as long as you remain obedient to it, you will never go astray. And I advise you regarding the Muhajireen, for others will increase and (they) will decrease. And I advise you regarding the Ansar, for they are the mountain pass of faith to which faith has taken refuge. And I advise you regarding the villagers, for they are your origin and substance. And I advise you regarding your Dhimmis, for they are under the protection of your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and are the means of sustenance for your wealth and children. Leave from me. Hazrat Umar did not speak to us more than this.

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Maymoon that when Hazrat Umar was struck with a spear, everyone became anxious until the sun was about to rise. Then a caller announced: Prayer! So the people put Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf forward. He led the people in prayer and recited two short surahs of the Holy Qur'an, namely {إِنَّا أَعْطَیْنَاک الْکَوْثَرَ } and {إِذَا جَائَ نَصْرُ اللہِ }. Then, when the day had dawned, a physician came to Hazrat Umar, and blood was flowing from Hazrat Umar's wounds. The physician asked: Which drink do you prefer? He replied: Nabidh. So Nabidh was brought and Hazrat Umar drank it, but it came out from his wounds. He said: This is blood-mixed pus. Bring me milk. So milk was brought, and when he drank it, it also came out from his wounds. Upon this, the physician said to him: Make a will, for in my opinion, you will pass away in a day or two.

It is narrated from Hazrat Aamir. He swears by Allah that when Hazrat Umar was stabbed with a spear, he was reciting Surah An-Nahl at that time.

It is narrated from Hazrat Miswar bin Makhramah. He says: I heard Hazrat Umar saying… while one of my fingers was inside his wound… O group of Quraysh! I do not fear people against you, rather I only fear you against people. Surely, I am leaving two things among you; as long as you hold fast to them, you will remain in goodness continuously: justice in judgment and justice in distribution. And indeed, I am leaving you on a completely straight path; however, if any nation chooses a crooked path, they will proceed upon that crooked path.

It is narrated from Hazrat Miswar bin Makhramah that I and Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) entered upon Hazrat Umar after he had been attacked and was unconscious. So we said, "Nothing will awaken him more than mentioning the prayer." Thus, we said, "O Commander of the Faithful! The prayer!" Upon this, Hazrat Umar became alert and said, "The prayer! There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons the prayer." Then Hazrat Umar performed the prayer in that condition while blood was flowing from his wounds.

It is narrated from Hazrat Amr bin Maymoon that I used to leave the first row due to the awe of Hazrat Umar. The day Hazrat Umar was attacked, I was in the second row. Hazrat Umar came and said, "O servants of Allah! Straighten your rows (for prayer)." The narrator says: Then he began to lead us in prayer. Abu Lulu then struck him two or three times. The narrator says: Hazrat Umar was wearing yellow clothes. The narrator says: Then he gathered that cloth towards his chest, then he gestured and was saying, { وَکَانَ أَمْرُ اللہِ قَدَرًا مَقْدُورًا } Then he (the attacker) killed and struck twelve or thirteen more people. The narrator says: When people advanced towards the killer, he leaned on his dagger and killed himself.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Al-Harith Khuzai that I heard Hazrat Umar saying in his sermon: Last night (in a dream) I saw a rooster pecking at me, and I saw that people were driving it away from me. And I swear by God, if I remain alive, I will surely give two thousand grants to each of the general Muhajireen. But only three days had passed when Hazrat Umar was killed by Abu Lu’lu’, the slave of Hazrat Mughirah bin Shu’bah.

It is narrated from Ibn Abi Mulaika that Hazrat Umar did not single out anyone from among the people of the Shura, but he spoke separately with Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hazrat Uthman. And he also separated each of them from the other. He said: O so-and-so! Fear Allah, and if Allah tests you with this matter, then do not elevate the Banu so-and-so above the necks of other people. And (in the same way) he said this to the other (among Ali and Uthman) as well.

It is narrated from Hazrat Hasan bin Muhammad that Hazrat Umar said to Hazrat Uthman: Fear Allah, and if you are given authority over any of the affairs of the people, do not elevate the people of Banu Abi Mu'it above the necks of others. And Hazrat Umar said to Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): Fear Allah, and if you are given authority over any of the affairs of the people, do not elevate Banu Hashim above the necks of others.

Abdul Aziz bin Umar narrates from Ibrahim bin Zarah, one of the practicing scholars of the people of Sham, that I asked Ibn Zarah: Who led the funeral prayer of Hazrat Umar? He replied: Suhaib did.

It is narrated from Hazrat Qasim that when Hazrat Umar was struck with a spear, people came to him and began to praise him and pray for him. Hazrat Umar said to them, "Are you considering me pure on the basis of the caliphate? Indeed, I kept the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and he departed from this world in a state that he was pleased with me. Then I kept the company of Hazrat Abu Bakr, and I listened to and obeyed his commands, and he also passed away in a state that I was one who listened to and obeyed him. And as for myself, I only fear for myself because of your leadership over me."

Hazrat Yahya bin Abdur Rahman bin Hatib and other elders narrate that before his martyrdom, Hazrat Umar saw in a dream that a rooster pecked him between his navel and chest. Hazrat Asma bint Umais was an expert in dream interpretation. When she heard this dream, she said, "Tell him to make his will." I do not know whether this interpretation reached him or not. A few days later, Abu Lu’lu’, the slave of Mughirah bin Shu’bah, came to Hazrat Umar, and Hazrat Umar asked, "What do you do?" He replied, "I make mills." Hazrat Umar said, "Then you are not very numerous, because here no one else does this work. Will you make a mill for me?" He said, "I will make such a mill for you that its fame will spread throughout the world."

2. Then Hazrat Umar set out for Hajj. When he arrived, he lay down at the place of Rami Jamar and placed his sheet under his head. He looked at the moon and was very pleased with its beauty and symmetry. Upon this, he said, "In the beginning, it appears weak, then Allah Almighty keeps increasing and growing it until it becomes full and reaches the height of beauty. Then it starts to decrease until it becomes as it was before. The condition of all creation is the same." Then he raised his hands and prayed, "O Allah! My subjects have become very numerous and have spread far and wide, so call me back to You without weakness or neglect."

3. Then Hazrat Umar returned to Madinah, and it was mentioned before him that a Muslim woman had died at the place of Baida. She was lying on the ground, and people were passing by her. No one shrouded or buried her until Hazrat Kulayb bin Bukayr Laithi passed by her and stayed with her until he shrouded and buried her. This was mentioned before Hazrat Umar, so he asked, "Which Muslims passed by her?" People replied, "Among those who passed by her was Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both)." So he called Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) and said, "Woe to you! You passed by a Muslim woman who had fallen on the ground on the way, and you did not shroud or bury her. Why?" He replied, "I did not know about her, nor did anyone mention her to me." Hazrat Umar said, "I fear that you may be devoid of goodness." Then Hazrat Umar asked, "Who shrouded and buried this woman?" People replied, "Kulayb bin Bukayr Laithi did." He said, "By Allah! Kulayb is worthy of receiving goodness."

4. Then Hazrat Umar went out to wake people for the morning prayer, and he met Abu Lu’lu’, the disbeliever, who struck him three times between his navel and chest. He also struck Hazrat Kulayb bin Bukayr and killed him. People raised their voices, and a man threw a large sheet over Abu Lu’lu’. Hazrat Umar was carried to his house, and Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Awf led the people in prayer. Hazrat Umar was told, "Prayer!" So he prayed in that condition while blood was flowing from his wounds. He said, "The one who does not pray has no share in Islam." Thus, he performed the prayer while his blood was dripping. Then people came to Hazrat Umar and said, "O Commander of the Faithful! You have no wounds, and surely we hope that Allah will keep your blessings for us and grant you respite for another time or for another good deed."

5. Then Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) came to Hazrat Umar... Hazrat Umar loved Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both)... Hazrat Umar said, "See who has killed me." So Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) went out and then returned and said, "O Commander of the Faithful! Rejoice, for your killer is Abu Lu’lu’, the Magian, the slave of Mughirah bin Shu’bah." Upon this, Hazrat Umar said "Allahu Akbar" so loudly that his voice reached outside the door. Then Hazrat Umar said, "All praise is due to Allah, who did not make my killer a Muslim man, so that on the Day of Judgment he would not dispute with me over a prostration that he made only for Allah." Then Hazrat Umar turned to the people and said, "Is this man from your people?" The people said, "Allah forbid! We would prefer to sacrifice our fathers for you and add to your life from our own lives. You have no..."