Sunan ad-Darimi

Khalid bin Ma'dan said that Abdullah bin Al-Ahtam entered upon Umar bin Abdul Aziz along with the common people. Suddenly, Umar bin Abdul Aziz saw them speaking in front of him. He praised Allah and after "Amma Ba'd" said: Allah Almighty created the creation, being independent of their obedience and secure from their disobedience. At that time, people were divided in their homes and opinions, and the Arabs were in those stages and in a bad state; they were people of stones and wool, and Bedouins from whom all the good things of the world would slip away. They neither supplicated to Allah in close company nor recited any of His books. Whoever among them died was destined for Hell, and whoever remained alive was blind and filthy, and there was no reckoning for their evils. Then, when Allah Almighty intended to bestow His mercy upon them, He sent a Messenger from among them, upon whom your distress was very burdensome; he was extremely eager and desirous for your benefit and very compassionate and merciful to the believers. May Allah's blessings, peace, mercy, and blessings be upon him. Despite this, people wounded him and called him by various names, even though he had with him a Book from Allah that spoke, with which he stood and traveled by its permission. And when he was commanded to speak the truth and urged to strive (jihad), every part of his body rejoiced (he became courageous and strong before Allah's command). Thus, Allah Almighty made his proof dominant, established his word, and made his call prevail. In this way, he departed from the world pure and clean. Then, after him, our master Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) rose up carrying his mission and followed in his footsteps. (At that time) some Arab tribes apostatized and refused to pay zakat, but he accepted only what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had accepted. He drew the sword from its sheath and kindled the fire, then, joining the people of truth, he suppressed the followers of falsehood, breaking their alliances and separating them, and watered the earth with their blood until he forced them to return to where they had fled from and brought them back to what they had abandoned (i.e., the deniers of zakat repented). Allah Almighty granted him young camels (or cows) from His wealth, upon which they would bring water, and he was given an Abyssinian slave girl who nursed his children. Before his death, he saw a necklace around her neck, which made him restless, and he handed her over to the caliph who came after him, and he departed from the world pure and clean, following the path and way of his companion and friend (the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him). After him, our master Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) came to power, established cities, combined severity and gentleness, rolled up his sleeves and lower garment and came to the field, prepared people for all matters, provided equipment for war, and when Mughira bin Shu’bah’s slave wounded him, he ordered Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) to investigate. He informed him that his killer was the slave of Mughira bin Shu’bah, so he thanked Allah that no rightful person was his killer who could say that he was wronged in the spoils of war, which led him to commit murder. He too received more than eighty thousand from Allah’s wealth, spent generously in Allah’s way, considered it inappropriate to support his children from that wealth, handed it over to the caliph who came after him, and departed from the world pure and clean like his two companions. After them, O Umar (ibn Abdul Aziz), people like you came, people of the world, whom the kings of the world gave birth to and filled your mouth from their chests, in which you were raised and sought that very kingship. Then, when you attained its authority, you brought it to where Allah had brought it. You distanced yourself from it, oppressed it, and considered it bad except for what you made provision for yourself. All praise is due to Allah who, through you, removed our calamities and, through you, relieved our distress. Therefore, remain engaged in your work, do not look here and there. Nothing is better (more honorable) than the truth, and nothing is worse and more disgraceful than falsehood. I say this and seek forgiveness for all my believing men and women. Abu Ayyub said: Umar bin Abdul Aziz used to say about this: For me, Ibn Al-Ahtam said: «امض ولا تلتفت» Keep moving, do not look here and there.