Musnad Abi Ya'la 2731 — Abu Lu'lu'ah was the slave of Sayyiduna

Abu Rafi' (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates that Abu Lu'lu'ah was the slave of Sayyiduna al-Mughirah bin Shu'bah (may Allah be pleased with him), and he used to make hand-mills. Sayyiduna al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) used to take four dirhams from him every day (as levy). One day Abu Lu'lu'ah met Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) and said: "O Commander of the Believers! Al-Mughirah has made my levy very heavy on me; speak to him so that he reduces it for me." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to him: "Fear Allah and do good to your master," while it was the intention of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) to meet Sayyiduna al-Mughirah (may Allah be pleased with him) himself and speak to him about reducing it. But the slave became angry and said: "His justice extends to all people except me." So he firmly resolved to kill him, and he made a two-headed dagger, sharpened it well and poisoned it. Then he brought it to al-Hurmuzan and asked: "How do you find this?" He said: "I think that whomever you strike with it, he will be killed." The narrator says: Then Abu Lu'lu'ah waited for an opportunity until he came at the time of the morning prayer and stood behind Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). It was the practice of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that when the iqamah for the prayer was called, he would say to those behind him: "Straighten your rows." Then, when he said the takbir, Abu Lu'lu'ah struck him in his shoulder and his side, and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) fell. He also wounded thirteen other men with his dagger, of whom seven died and six recovered. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was carried to his house, and the people were so distressed that the sun was about to rise. Then Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) called out: "O people! The prayer, the prayer, the prayer!" So the people turned to the prayer, and Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) went forward and led them in prayer with the two shortest surahs of the Qur'an. When he finished the prayer, they all came to Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him). He asked for a drink so that the nature of the wound could be known. So date-water (nabidh) was brought, and when he drank it, it came out through the wound, and it could not be known whether it was blood or the drink. Then milk was brought, and after he drank it, it too came out of the wound. The people said: "O Commander of the Believers! There is nothing to fear." He said: "If being killed is something to fear, then I have been killed." The people began to praise him, saying: "May Allah reward you with good, O Commander of the Believers! You were like this, and you accomplished such deeds." Then when one group left, another would come and praise him. Then Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah! In spite of all that you are saying, my wish is that I leave this (world) even, with nothing against me and nothing in my favour, and that the companionship of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) remains safe for me." Meanwhile Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) was present at his head; he was as close to him as if he were a member of his household, and he was learned in the Qur'an. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "By Allah! You will not leave it merely even (rather, you will attain a great reward). You remained in the company of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and kept the best of companionship; you were a great helper to him (peace and blessings be upon him), until, when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, he was pleased with you. Then you remained with the successor (khalifah) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) (Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him). Then you yourself became the ruler, and you discharged the responsibilities of the caliphate in the best manner." Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was finding comfort in the words of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), so he said: "O Ibn Abbas! Repeat these words of yours to me again." He repeated them, and Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah! In spite of what you are saying, if today I had gold equal to the expanse of the earth, I would give it as ransom to be saved from the terror of what lies ahead. I have left the matter of the caliphate to the consultation of six people: Sayyiduna Uthman, Sayyiduna Ali, Sayyiduna Talhah bin Ubaydullah, Sayyiduna al-Zubayr bin al-Awwam, Sayyiduna Abd al-Rahman bin Awf and Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with them all), and I have placed Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) with them only as an adviser, but he will not be a candidate for the caliphate." He gave them a respite of three days and ordered Sayyiduna Suhayb (may Allah be pleased with him) to lead the people in prayer.