The next day, Ka’b came to Umar saying: Only two days are left.

The next day, Ka’b came to Umar saying: Only two days are left. After passage of another day, Ka’b came to him and said: Two days passed and only one day is left. In another narration by al-Tabari: One day and one night are left, and it (night) is yours up to its morning. The next morning, Umar went out for (establishing) prayers, charging some men with the task of arranging the rows, when he would utter the takbirah (God is Greater).

At that time Abu Lu’lu’ah entered among the rows, holding a two-headed dagger with its haft being in its centre part. He stabbed Umar six times, one of which being under his navel, which led to his death. It is known that Abu Lu’lu’ah was one of Nahavand captives.

In a narration reported by Abu Ishaq from Ibn Sa’d, it is said: Ka’b came to Umar and said to him: “Haven’t I told you that you will never die but only as a martyr while you say: “How would that happen while I be in the Arab Peninsula?” 269 I present here an unusual report conveyed by this priest, that can eradicate any doubt you may have regarding his collaboration in this conspiracy.

Al-Khatib reported on the authority of Malik, that Umar entered upon his wife Umm Kulthum one day, and saw her weeping, when he said: What is the reason of your crying? She replied: This Jew, 270 i.e. Ka’b al-Ahbar ... he says that you will stand (on Doomsday) at one of Fire gates. Umar said: Masha’Allah! Then he went out and sent for Ka’b al-Ahbar, who came to him and said: O Amir al-Mu’minin, do not speed things up.

By Him in Whose hand is my soul, (month of) Dhu al-Hijjah will never end till you enter paradise. Umar said: What is that (you say)? Once you say I will be in paradise, and another time in Fire?! Ka’b said: O Amir al-Mu’minin, by Him in Whose hand is my soul, we find you in the Book of Allah 271 (standing) at one of the hell gates preventing people from breaking into it. When you die, they will continue breaking into it till the Day of Resurrection!

After his death, Ka’b came and started weeping at the door (of Umar’s house), saying: by God, had Amir al-Mu’minin asked Allah to delay his death He would have surely done this. 272 His oath – may God curse him – came true, as Umar was killed on Wednesday, only four nights left of Dhu al-Hijjah, in 23 Hijrah and was buried on Sunday, 1st of Muharram 24 Hijrah.