Mustadrak al-Hakim — Hadith 4597

It is narrated from Tariq bin Shihab al-Ahmasi that Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) appointed al-Walid bin Uqbah bin Abi Mu'ayt, who was his brother through his mother, as governor of Kufa and its surrounding territory, while Sayyiduna Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) was there. So he came to Sa'd, who seated him beside himself, unaware of his appointment. Then Sa'd asked: "O Abu Wahb! What has brought you here?" He said: "I have come as governor." Sa'd asked: "Over what?" He replied: "Over your own post." At this Sa'd said: "By Allah! I do not know whether you have become wise after me or I have become foolish after you?" Al-Walid replied: "By Allah! Neither have I become wise after you, nor have you become foolish after me; rather, these people (the rulers) have preferred others over you by virtue of their authority." Sa'd said: "You have spoken the truth." Then Sa'd (recited verses): "O hyena! Seize me and drag me away, and give (your companions) the glad tidings of the flesh of a man whose helper is not present today. O Umar! (If only you were here), the hyenas of evil (are all around)." Al-Haytham says: When Sayyiduna Uthman removed al-Walid bin Uqbah from Kufa and made Sa'id bin al-As its governor, Imam al-Sha'bi narrates that when Sa'id bin al-As arrived there he said: "Wash the pulpit so that I may climb it, or so that it may be purified." So the pulpit was washed, until Sa'id bin al-As ascended it.