and said:

‘If only you had seen a man who came to the Commander of the Faithful today and said, “O Commander of the Faithful, what do you think of so-and-so, who declares that if Umar were to die, he would certainly (1) pledge allegiance to so-and-so, for, by Allah, Abu Bakr’s pledge of allegiance was nothing but a sudden, unplanned affair that was then completed?”’

Umar became angry and then said (2): ‘Allah willing, I shall address the people this evening and warn them against those who seek to wrest control of their affairs from them.’

Abd al-Rahman said (3): ‘I said, “O Commander of the Faithful, do not do so. The pilgrimage season brings together the ignorant and disorderly elements of the people, and they (4) will be the ones crowding closest to you when you rise to address the people. And I (5) fear that you will deliver a statement which every bearer will spread far and wide, without people properly understanding it or placing it in its proper context. Wait until you reach Medina, for it is the abode of the Hijra and the sunnah. There you can address an audience consisting solely of people of understanding and the leading men, and deliver your address (6) with assurance (7). The people of knowledge will then understand your statement and place it (8) in its proper context.”’

Umar then said (9): ‘By Allah, Allah willing, I shall certainly do so on the very first occasion that I rise to address the people in Medina.’

Ibn Abbas said:

‘We arrived in Medina near the end of Dhu al-Hijjah. When Friday came, I hastened to set out (10) at the decline of