ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib ShŪra Or the Committee Ten years, six months and four days had passed since `Umar took the reins of governance in his hands when Abū-Lu’lu’ah Fayrūz, the slave of Mughirah ibn Shu`bah, struck him with a double edged poniard. Some people lifted him and shifted home. A physician was immediately called to treat him.

The injury was so severe that the wine administered through his mouth came out of the injury inflicted by the blow through the stomach. People around him were confused and confounded. They thought that the throne of the caliphate will be vacant and were whispering to each other about the probable successor. Some said that it would be better if he nominated someone and save the people from the trouble of selecting his replacement.

Therefore, some important persons came to `Umar and suggested to him to nominate someone as his successor. He said with a sigh that he had none in view. He added that if Abū-`Ubaydah was living he would willingly have transferred the burden to him. Then if Allah had questioned him, he would have said that he had entrusted the caliphate to a person who was termed by the Prophet (a.s) as the Trustee of the Ummah.

He said that if Hudhayfah’s slave Salim was alive, he could have given the position to him. If Allah asked him, he would reply that he had given the control to a person about whom the Prophet (a.s) had said that he loved Allah very much. Ibn Qutaybah had written about Khalid ibn al-Walid and Mu`adh ibn Jabal in this connection that `Umar remembered them as probable candidates for succession.

The person who mooted the idea of Yazid succeeding Mu`awiyah, Mughirah ibn Shu`bah, suggested to `Umar to nominate his son `Abdullah ibn `Umar to the caliphate. In reply `Umar said: “May Allah destroy you! By Allah! You have not said this without keeping Allah in front of you.