Bayhaqi 16579 — One who left the matter to consultation among those

Amr bin Maymun, relating the story of the killing of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), said: The people said: "Make your will, O Commander of the Believers; nominate a successor." He said: "No one is more entitled to this matter than these people, or this group, with whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was pleased when he passed away." And he named Ali, Uthman, al-Zubayr, Talhah, Sa'd and Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with them). He said: "Abdullah bin Umar will be present with you, but he will have no share in the matter", as if by way of consolation to him. And he said: "If the leadership goes to Sa'd, then so be it; otherwise, whichever of you is made leader, let him seek his help, for I did not dismiss him because of incapacity or treachery." And he said: "I advise the caliph after me regarding the first Muhajirun, that he recognise their right and safeguard their honour. And I advise him regarding the Ansar, who settled in the abode (of Madinah) and (adopted) faith before them, that he accept from those of them who do good and pardon those of them who do wrong. And I advise him to treat the people of the cities well, for they are the support of Islam, the collectors of wealth and a source of rage for the enemy, and that nothing be taken from them except their surplus, with their consent. And I advise him to treat the Bedouins well, for they are the root of the Arabs and the substance of Islam: that (zakah) be taken from the lesser of their wealth and returned to their poor. And I advise him regarding the covenant of Allah and the covenant of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) (with the non-Muslim subjects), that he fulfil their covenant for them, fight (to defend) them, and not burden them beyond their capacity." When he passed away, we carried him out and set off walking, and he narrated the account of his burial. He said: When the burial was over and they had returned, this group gathered, and Abd al-Rahman bin Awf (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Entrust your matter to three of you." Al-Zubayr said: "I have entrusted my matter to Ali." Talhah said: "I have entrusted my matter to Uthman." Sa'd said: "I have entrusted my matter to Abd al-Rahman." Then Abd al-Rahman said (to Ali and Uthman): "Which of you two will withdraw from this matter, so that we entrust it to him? By Allah, and with Islam (as witness) over him, he will look to the best of them in his view and will strive for the welfare of the Ummah." The two elders fell silent. So Abd al-Rahman said: "Will you then entrust it to me, and I take Allah as witness over me that I will not fall short in choosing the best of you?" They said: "Yes." Then he took the hand of one of them and said: "You have the kinship with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and the precedence in Islam that you know. By Allah, if I make you leader, you must act justly; and if I make Uthman leader, you must listen and obey." Then he took the other aside and said the same to him. When he had taken the pledge (from both), he said: "Raise your hand, O Uthman." So he pledged allegiance to him, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them both) pledged allegiance to him, and the people of the house came in and pledged allegiance to him.