and had I known that anyone was stronger in upholding it than I, I would have stepped aside—having my neck struck would have been dearer to me than taking charge myself.

Ibn ʿAbbās reported: When ʿUmar assumed the caliphate it was said to him, “Some people nearly kept this affair from reaching you.” He asked, “For what reason?” They answered, “They claim you are harsh and hard-hearted.” He replied, “Praise be to Allah, Who has filled my heart with mercy toward them and has filled their hearts with awe of me.”

Al-Aḥnaf ibn Qays said: I heard ʿUmar declare, “It is not lawful for ʿUmar to take from the property of Allah anything beyond two outfits—one for winter and one for summer—together with what I need for pilgrimage and ʿumrah, and sustenance for my family equal to that of an average man of Quraysh who is not the wealthiest among them. After that, I am merely one of the Muslims.”

ʿUrwah said: Throughout the whole of his rule, ʿUmar led the people in the pilgrimage every year.

Ibn ʿUmar said: From the moment the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, passed away, I have never seen anyone more earnest or more generous than ʿUmar.

Al-Zuhrī said: Allah granted ʿUmar the conquest of the whole of Syria, Upper Mesopotamia, Egypt, and all of Iraq. One year before his death he set up the administrative registers and distributed the spoils among the people.

ʿĀṣim ibn Abī al-Najūd, narrating from an Anṣārī who related from Khuzaymah ibn Thābit, said: Whenever ʿUmar appointed an official, he would write to him stipulating that he must not ride a high-bred horse, eat fine white bread, wear soft clothing, or shut his door against those in need; should he do so, he would be liable to punishment.

Ṭāriq ibn Shihāb said: A man would relate something to ʿUmar, insert a lie, and ʿUmar would say, “Hold that back,” then the man would continue his report and he would say, “Hold…”