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Chapter X: Remembrance of Death

Hafsa, daughter of Omar and widow of the Prophet, came there and wept for an hour. The people sought permission to see him and they entered and said : O Commander of the Faithful, advise us and nominate your successor. Hazrat Omar said I refer this matter to a committee consisting of such persons on whom The Prophet was pleased at the time of his death. The Committee will consist of Hazrat Ali, Osman Jubair, Talha, Sa'd and Abdur Rahaman. Abdullah, my son, will be present along with them but he will have nothing to do with the Caliphate. He gave consolation to his son saying : If Sa'ad gets nomination, it is better or else whoever is elected as Caliph by the Committee, seek assistance from him. I advise one who is elected Caliph after me-(l) He will keep dignity of the first refugees and preserve their honour. (2) He will seek good of the Ansars as they gave refuge to them and their faith (3) He will accept their good deeds and forgive their faults. (4) He will seek good of the citizens as they preserved Islam, and attack those enemies who hoard wealth. (5) He will treat well with all the inhabitants of Arabia as they are the original dwellers of Arabia and the basis of Islam. He shall realise the excess wealth from the rich and distribute it to the poor. (6) He will fulfill the trust of God and His Prophet and fulfill the rights given by them to the Zimmis, protect them fight for their preservation, and impose on them no greater burden than they can bear. Ibn Omar said : When Omar died, we carried him on foot and said to Ayesha that Omar- bin-Khattab is seeking your permission. Hazrat Ayesha said : Bury him here and let him stay here with his two friends. The Prophet said : Gebrail told me that Islam would weep after the death of Omar.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas said : When Hazrat Omar was placed on the bier, the people stood surrounding him and were praying for

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him. I was one of them. Nobody saw me except one man. He touched my shoulder and I found him to be Ali-b-Talib. He began to pray for Omar and said : You have left no such successor of yours as I can take him dearer than you. By God I think God will place you along with your two friends. I often heard the Prophet say : I, Abu Bakr and Omar went there. I, Abu Bakr and Omar went out. I, Abu Bakr and Omar entered. I surely believe God will keep you in association with your two friends.

THE DEATH OF HAZRAT OSMAN

Source: Imam Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Islamic Sciences)
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