Ibn ʿAbbās spoke in his praise, saying, “Had I possessed the earth’s fill of gold, I would gladly ransom myself with it from the terror of the Day of Rising. ʿUmar has left the matter of succession to consultation among ʿUthmān, ʿAlī, Ṭalḥah, al-Zubayr, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, and Saʿd.” He instructed Ṣuhayb to lead the people in prayer and granted the six three days’ grace.
ʿAmr ibn Maymūn relates that ʿUmar said, “All praise is due to Allah, who did not decree that my end be at the hand of a man who merely claims Islam.” He then said to Ibn ʿAbbās, “You and your father always liked to see many ʿalūj (foreign captives) in Madinah,” for al-ʿAbbās owned more of them than anyone else.
He continued, “O ʿAbd Allāh, look into the debts that are upon me.” They calculated them and found them to be eighty-six thousand—or thereabouts. He said, “If the wealth of the family of ʿUmar is sufficient, settle them from it; otherwise ask the Banū ʿAdī, and if their wealth does not cover them, then ask among Quraysh. Go to the Mother of the Believers ʿĀʾishah and say: ‘ʿUmar requests permission to be buried beside his two companions.’”
He went to her, and she replied, “I had reserved that spot for myself, but today I give priority to him over my own soul.” ʿAbd Allāh returned and said, “She has granted you permission,” whereupon ʿUmar praised Allah.
Then the Mother of the Believers Ḥafṣah arrived, the women screening her. When we saw her we stood up. She remained with him for a while; the men then sought leave, she went inside, and we heard her weeping.
They said to him, “Commander of the Believers, make your bequest—appoint a successor.” He replied, “I see no one more entitled to this affair than the group with whom the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was pleased when he passed away,” and he named the six. “ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿUmar shall attend with them, though he has no share in authority—merely as a token of consolation. If the leadership falls to Saʿd, so be it; but if it comes to any other of you, let him seek Saʿd’s assistance, for I did not depose him for weakness or treachery. I enjoin the caliph after me to fear Allah; I charge him to look after the Emigrants and the Helpers, and I counsel him regarding the people of…"