1399 — Abū Hafs Umar ibn Sahl ibn Makhlad al-Bazzār narrated to us from his book, saying: Abū al-Sā'ib Salm ibn Junāda ibn Salm ibn Khālid ibn Jābir ibn Samura narrated to us, saying: Sulaymān ibn Abd al-Azīz ibn Abī Thābit narrated to me, from Abd al-Azīz ibn Umar ibn ⦗1925⦘ Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf, who said: My father narrated to me, from Abd Allah ibn Ja'far, from his father, from al-Miswar ibn Makhrama, from his mother—who was Atika bint Awf—who said:

“One day, Umar ibn al-Khattāb went out to make his rounds in the marketplace. He was met by Abū Lu'lu'a, the slave of al-Mughīra ibn Shu'ba, who was a Christian. He said, ‘Commander of the Believers, grant me redress against al-Mughīra ibn Shu'ba, for he has imposed a heavy tax upon me.’ Umar asked, ‘How much is your tax?’ He replied, ‘Two dirhams each day.’ Umar asked, ‘What is your trade?’ He replied, ‘I am a carpenter, engraver, and blacksmith.’ Umar said, ‘Considering the work you perform, I do not think your tax excessive. Moreover, I have heard that you claim you could build a mill driven by the wind if you wished.’ He replied, ‘Yes.’ Umar said, ‘Then build me a mill.’ He replied, ‘If I am spared, I shall build you a mill of which the people of the East and West will speak.’

“Umar then returned home. The following day, Ka'b al-Ahbār came to him and said, ‘Commander of the Believers, make your final arrangements, for you will die in three days.’ Umar asked, ‘How do you know that?’ He replied, ‘I find it in the Book of Allah—Mighty and Majestic—the Torah.’ Umar asked, ‘By Allah, do you find Umar ibn al-Khattāb in the Torah?’ He replied, ‘By Allah, no. But I find your description and appearance, and that your appointed term has run out.’ At the time, Umar felt neither ache nor pain.

“The next day, Ka'b came to him and said, ‘Commander of the Believers, one day has passed and two remain.’ He came again the following day and said, ‘Commander of the Believers, two days have passed, and one day and one night remain. You have until its morning.’

“When morning came, Umar ibn al-Khattāb went out for the prayer. He used to appoint men to arrange the rows, and once they were straight, he would enter and pronounce the opening takbīr. Abū Lu'lu'a entered among the people carrying a double-pointed dagger whose hilt was in the middle. He struck Umar six times. One of the blows, beneath his navel, was the one that killed him. Kulayb ibn Wā'il ibn al-Bukayr al-Laythī was also killed; he was an ally of theirs.

“When Umar felt the burning bite of the weapon, he fell and asked, ‘Is Abd al-Rahmān ⦗1926⦘ ibn Awf among the people?’ They replied, ‘Yes, there he is.’ Abd al-Rahmān then went forward and led the people in prayer while Umar lay stricken.

“Umar was then carried into his home, and Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf entered. Umar said, ‘I wish to appoint you as my successor.’ He replied, ‘Commander of the Believers, if you advise me to accept it…’ Umar asked, ‘What is it you want?’ He replied, ‘I adjure you by Allah: would you advise me to accept it?’ Umar said, ‘By Allah, no.’ He replied, ‘Then, by Allah, I shall never accept it.’ Umar said, ‘Then grant me your silence while I entrust the matter to those men with whom the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was pleased when he died. Summon Alī, Uthmān, al-Zubayr, and Sa'd for me.’

“He then said, ‘Wait three days for your brother Talha. If he comes, well and good; otherwise, settle the matter among yourselves. I adjure you by Allah, O Alī: if you are entrusted with any authority over the people, do not impose Banū Hāshim upon them. I adjure you by Allah, O Uthmān: if you are entrusted with any authority over the people, do not impose Banū Abī Mu'ayt upon them. I adjure you by Allah, O Sa'd: if you are entrusted with any authority over the people, do not impose your relatives upon them. Rise, consult together, and then settle your affair. Let Suhayb lead the people in prayer.’

“He then summoned Abū Talha al-Ansārī and said, ‘Stand at their door and allow no one to enter. I enjoin my successor concerning the Emigrants who were driven from their homes and deprived of their wealth: he must distribute their allotted public revenue among them and not appropriate it for himself to their exclusion. I enjoin my successor concerning the Ansār, who had settled in the Home and embraced faith before them: he must treat their righteous well and pardon their wrongdoers. I enjoin my successor concerning the Arabs, for they are a source of strength for Islam: the prescribed amount of their obligatory alms must be taken and given to their poor. ⦗1927⦘ I enjoin my successor concerning those under the protection of the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace: he must honor the covenant made with them. O Allah, have I conveyed my charge? I have left nothing further for my successor after me.’

“He then said, ‘Abd Allah ibn Umar, go out among the people and find out who killed me.’ He replied, ‘Commander of the Believers, you were killed by Abū Lu'lu'a, the slave of al-Mughīra ibn Shu'ba.’ Umar said, ‘Praise be to Allah, who did not place my death at the hand of a man who had performed even a single prostration to Allah. Abd Allah ibn Umar, go to Aisha—may Allah be pleased with her—and ask her permission for me to be buried alongside the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and Abū Bakr. Abd Allah, if the people disagree, side with the majority. If they divide three against three, side with the group that includes Abd al-Rahmān ibn Awf.’

“He then said, ‘Abd Allah ibn Umar, admit the people.’ He began admitting the Emigrants and the Ansār. They would greet Umar, and he would ask them, ‘Was this done through the collusion of a group among you?’ They would reply, ‘Allah forbid!’

“Ka'b al-Ahbār entered among the people. When Umar saw him, he began to recite:

[Long meter]

‘Ka'b forewarned me of three days, which I kept in count;
No doubt remains—the truth is what was said by Ka'b.

It is not death I fear, for surely I must die;
I fear a sin—and then another sin behind.’

“He was told, ‘Commander of the Believers, why not summon a physician?’ A physician from Banū al-Hārith ibn Ka'b was summoned and gave him an infused drink. The drink came out—that is, together with the blood. The physician said, ‘Give him milk.’ They gave him milk, and it came out white. Umar was told, ‘Commander of the Believers, make your final arrangements.’ He replied, ‘I have finished.’ ⦗1928⦘

“He then died during the night preceding Wednesday, with three nights remaining of Dhū al-Hijja in the year 23 AH. They carried him out early on Wednesday and buried him in Aisha’s chamber—may Allah be pleased with her—alongside the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and Abū Bakr—may Allah be pleased with him. Suhayb stepped forward and offered the funeral prayer over him. The narrator then related the hadith in full.”