COMPANIONS - UMAR AS CALIPH - 1

 Umar as Caliph - I

(1) Umar’s Ijtihad for war booty collected without battle Maal-e-Fai benefitting 

later generations of conquered 

empires

Note 1: Valuable “Ijtihad” by Umar laid foundation of modern world; after conquest of two super powers of the time, Persians in east and Romans in the west, Ijtihad on question of war booty collected without battle, Maal-e-Fai benefitted the later generations of the conquered empires. Wise decisions thus reached through this endeavor by Umar to establish a new legal frame wok for a new situation having no discrete ordain in Quran & SUNNAH, perceived peaceful coexistence for coming generations. These empires flourished into buoyant cultures by providing a relief from tyranny of kings, denying few to amass wealth and thus turning these empires into kind of occidento-oriental civilizations burgeoning out of their deeply rich ancient cultures with spirit of Quran imbuing a unique social order free of harsh autocracies and exploitation of weak. This new spirit went a long way in replacing hegemony of few elite with egalitarian practice of early Islam, establishing a novel culture based on logic and inquiry, completely negating occultism and an aura of superstition. These ancient empires after accepting Islam voluntarily played a cardinal role in making great contribution to the modern world with refined literature, arts and building a broad base for scientific discoveries.

Rules regarding “War Booty” captured without a battle or waging proper war

(3) CHAFFER. The Statement of Allah "What Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (and taken away) from the people of the townships - belongs to Allah,- to His Messenger and to kindred and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; In order that it may not (merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you. And fear Allah; for Allah is strict in Punishment.” (59:7)

Bukhari Volume 6, Book 65, Number 4885:

Narrated Umar:

The properties of Bam An-Nadir were among the booty that Allah gave to His Apostle (s) such Booty were not obtained by any expedition on the part of Muslims, neither with cavalry, nor with camelry (fighting through camels). So those properties were for Allah's Apostle only, and he used to provide thereof the yearly expenditure for his wives, and dedicate the rest of its revenues for purchasing arms and horses as war material to be used in Allah's Cause.

(2) Spread of Islam through peaceful conquests 
by purifying rules of war

(9) CHAPTER. The war booty is for those who witness the battles.

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 57, Number 3125:

Narrated Aslam:

'Umar said, "Were it not for those Muslims who have not come to existence yet, I would have distributed (the land of) every town I conquer among the fighters as the Prophet (s) distributed the land of Khaibar."

Bukhari Volume 5, Book 64, Number 4235:

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:

By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, were I not afraid that the other Muslims might be left in poverty, I would divide (the land of) whatever village I may conquer (among the fighters), as the Prophet (s) divided the land of Khaibar. But I prefer to leave it as a (source of) a common treasury for them to distribute its revenue amongst themselves.

Note 1: Umar Bin Khattab during his reign solved a big question through “Ijtihad”, in the light of Ayah 59:6-10 & 62:2-3:

“And the properties that Allah took out from their possession and restored to His Messenger, ¹¹ are not such that you might have rushed your horses and camels upon them, but Allah gives His Messengers authority over whomever He wills, and Allah has power over everything. ¹² Whatever Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the settlements, belongs to Allah and the Messenger and the kinsfolk and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarers, ¹³ so that it does not remain circulating among your rich people only. ¹⁴ Take whatever the Messenger gives you and refrain from whatever he forbids you. Fear Allah, for Allah is stern in inflicting punishment. ¹⁵ (Moreover, the properties) are for those poor emigrants who have been expelled from their homes and their possessions. ¹⁶ They seek Allah's bounty and His goodwill, and are ever ready to succor Allah and His Messenger. They indeed are the truthful. (And it is also for those) who believed eve before the arrival of the emigrants and were staying in the Abode of Migration. ¹⁷ They love those who have migrated to them and entertain no desire in their hearts for what is given to them and prefer others to themselves even though they may be needy. ¹⁸ The fact is that those who are saved from the greed of their own hearts, ale truly successful. ¹⁹ (And it is also for those) wa-alladhīna who come jāū after them min baʿdihim, ²⁰ who say, "Our Lord, forgive us , and forgive all our brothers who embraced the Faith before us, and do not place in our hearts any malice towards the believers. Our Lord, You are very Kind and Compassionate." ²¹” (59:6-10)

“He it is Who has raised a Messenger among the gentiles ² from among themselves, who recites to them His Revelations, purifies them and teaches them the Book and the Wisdom, ³ whereas before this they were indeed lost in manifest error. ⁴ And (the advent or the Messenger) is also for those others who have not yet joined them. ⁵ Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. ⁶ ” (62:2-3)

This prudent decision by 2^nd caliph of Islam around middle of 7^th century made a big impact on the semblance of coming civilization in the world. This question decided the fate of the two big empires of the time, Persians and Romans, having fallen into the control of Muslim Armies as a result of defeats in the battle fields. Umar stopped his armies from making the whole nations as war captives and war booty, by only allowing what was collected from the actual battle field as war booty. This sagacious step not only saved the huge treasures of these empires for coming generations but also kept the rich cultural heritage of both these empires intact. Point to note here is that major beneficiaries of these treasures, kept as an asset for coming generations were the people of these two empires in coming centuries who accepted Islam due to such examples of justice and egalitarian policies of Islam. If given the due value and impact of this decision on coming generations, historian must pay great homage to this visionary sage.

People from these nations like philosophers and scientists of Persia and saints and scientists of Andalusia played a great role in modeling and fashioning what the modern world is today, a reflection of the golden principles of Islam covering a vast spectrum of human life from private to social, moral, economic, political and spiritual affairs. Here we must also not let another subtle observation be left unnoticed though it is a little sour and not the topic at the moment; today’s Islam is the reflection of its conquerors, Muslims had to meet in the vicious circle of time, fluctuating between nations, when lose their basic creed and cherished traditions. 

Note 2: “Ijtihad” means a process of deliberations for reaching a solution to a legal matter relating to a new situation. Umar also laid foundation for Islamic legal thinking giving priority to wellbeing of humanity in a larger spectrum by opening gates to an ever dynamic way of Islamic jurisprudence. Unfortunately such dynamic principles were not fully utilized due to “Taqleed”, “blind following” a process negating the dynamic spirit of Quran and Sunnah, ending in few schools of Jurisprudence like “Hanfi”, “Maliki”, “Shafii” and “Hunmbaly” besides “shiia” schools of legal thought. Only a few dared to criticize this trend but faced huge oppositions and appreciated by only a few select. These are scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah (January 22, 1263 - September 26, 1328) Ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703 – 22 June 1792) and modern day scholar Dr. Muhammad Iqbal. (November 9, 1877 – April 21, 1938).

(3) Campaigns in Umar’s reign

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 53, Number 3159-3160:

Narrated Jubair bin Haiya:

'Umar sent the Muslims to the great countries to fight the pagans. When Al-Hurmuzan embraced Islam, 'Umar said to him. "I would like to consult you regarding these countries which I intend to invade." Al-Hurmuzan said, "Yes, the example of these countries and their inhabitants who are the enemies of the Muslims, is like a bird with a head, two wings and two legs; If one of its wings got broken, it would get up over its two legs, with one wing and the head; and if the other wing got broken, it would get up with two legs and a head, but if its head got destroyed, then the two legs, two wings and the head would become useless. The head stands for Khosrau, and one wing stands for Caesar and the other wing stands for Faris. So, order the Muslims to go towards Khosrau." So, 'Umar sent us (to Khosrau) appointing An-Numan bin Muqrin as our commander. When we reached the land of the enemy, the representative of Khosrau came out with forty-thousand warriors, and an interpreter got up saying, "Let one of you talk to me!" Al-Mughira replied, "Ask whatever you wish." The other asked, "Who are you?" Al-Mughira replied, "We are some people from the Arabs; we led a hard, miserable, disastrous life, we used to suck the hides and the date stones from hunger, we used to wear clothes made up of fur of camels and hair of goats, and to worship trees and stones. While we were in this state, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earths, Elevated is His Remembrance and Majestic is His Highness, sent to us from among ourselves a Prophet whose father and mother are known to us. Our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, has ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah Alone or gives Jizya (i.e. tribute); and our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says:

"Whoever amongst us is killed (i.e. martyred), shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever amongst us remain alive, shall become your master." (Al-Mughira, then blamed An-Numan for delaying the attack and An-Nu' man said to Al-Mughira, "If you had participated in a similar battle, in the company of Allah's Apostle he would not have blamed you for waiting, nor would he have disgraced you. But I accompanied Allah's Apostle in many battles and it was his custom that if he did not fight early by daytime, he would wait till the wind had started blowing and the time for the prayer was due (i.e. after midday)."

“Fight with those from among the people of the Book, who do not believe in Allah and in the Last Day; ²⁶ who do not make unlawful that which Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful, ²⁷ and do not adopt the Right way as their way. (Fight with them) until they pay Jizyah with their own hands and are humbled. ²⁸ ” (9:29)

(4) Umar carried out consultation
before making a decision

Bukhari Volume 7, Book 76, Number 5729:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas:

'Umar bin Al-Khattab departed for Sham and when he reached Sargh, the commanders of the (Muslim) army, Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah and his companions met him and told him that an epidemic had broken out in Sham. 'Umar said, "Call for me the early emigrants." So 'Umar called them, consulted them and informed them that an epidemic had broken out in Sham. Those people differed in their opinions. Some of them said, "We have come out for a purpose and we do not think that it is proper to give it up," while others said (to 'Umar), "You have along with you other people and the companions of Allah's Apostle so do not advise that we take them to this epidemic." 'Umar said to them, "Leave me now." Then he said, "Call the Ansar for me." I called them and he consulted them and they followed the way of the emigrants and differed as they did. He then said to them, Leave me now," and added, "Call for me the old people of Quraish who emigrated in the year of the Conquest of Mecca." I called them and they gave a unanimous opinion saying, "We advise that you should return with the people and do not take them to that (place) of epidemic." So 'Umar made an announcement, "I will ride back to Medina in the morning, so you should do the same." Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah said (to 'Umar), "Are you running away from what Allah had ordained?" 'Umar said, "Would that someone else had said such a thing, O Abu 'Ubaida! Yes, we are running from what Allah had ordained to what Allah has ordained. Don't you agree that if you had camels that went down a valley having two places, one green and the other dry, you would graze them on the green one only if Allah had ordained that, and you would graze them on the dry one only if Allah had ordained that?" At that time 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf, who had been absent because of some job, came and said, "I have some knowledge about this. I have heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'If you hear about it (an outbreak of plague) in a land, do not go to it; but if plague breaks out in a country where you are staying, do not run away from it Umar thanked Allah and returned to Medina.

(5) Death & decision regarding succession
of caliph after his death

(8) CHAPTER. The account of the Baia (pledge) (after 'Umar) and the unanimous election of 'Uthman bin 'Affan as a caliph;

 Bukhari Volume 5, 63 Merits of Companions No 3700

 Narrated 'Amr bin Maimun:

 I saw 'Umar bin Al-Khattab a few days before he was stabbed in Al-Medina. He was standing with Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman and 'Uthman bin Hunaif to whom he said, "What have you done? Do you think that you have imposed more taxation on the land of As-Swad (i.e., 'Iraq)] than it can bear?" They replied, "We have imposed on it what it can bear because of its great yield." 'Umar again said, "Check whether you have imposed on the land what it cannot bear." They said, "No, (we haven't)." 'Umar added, "If Allah should keep me alive I will let the widows of ‘Iraq needs no men to support them after me." But only four days had elapsed when he was stabbed (to death). The day he was stabbed, I was standing and there was nobody between me and him (i.e., 'Umar) except 'Ahdullah bin 'Abbas. Whenever 'Umar passed between the two rows, he would say, "Stand in straight lines." When he saw no defect (in the rows); he would go forward and start the Salat (prayer) with Takbir. He would recite Surat Yusuf or An-Nahl or the like in the first Raka so that the people may have the time to join the Salat (prayer). As soon as he said Takbir, I heard him saying, "The dog has killed or eaten me," at the time he (i.e., the murderer) stabbed him. A non-Arab infidel proceeded on, carrying a double edged knife and stabbing all the persons he passed by on the right and left (till) he stabbed thirteen persons out of whom seven died. When one of the Muslims saw that, he threw a cloak on him. Realizing that he had been captured, the non-Arab infidel killed himself. 'Umar held the hand of 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf and let him lead the Salat (prayer). Those who were standing by the side of 'Umar saw what I saw, but the people who were in the other parts of the mosque did not see anything, but they lost the voice of 'Umar and they were saying, "Subhãn Allah! Subhan Allah! (i.e., Glorified be Allah)." 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf led the people in a short Salat (prayer). When they finished the Salat (prayer), 'Umar said, "O’ Ibn 'Abbas! Find out who attacked me." Ibn 'Abbas kept on looking here and there for a short time and came to say, "The slave of Al-Mughira." On that 'Umar said, "The craftsman?" Ibn 'Abbas said, "Yes." 'Umar said, "May Allah curse him. I did not treat him unjustly. All the praises and thanks are to Allah Who has not caused me to die at the hands of a man who claims himself to be a Muslim. No doubt, you and your father (Abbas) used to love to have more non-Arab infidels in Al-Madina." AI-'Abbãs had the greatest number of slaves. Ibn 'Abbãs said to 'Umar, "If you wish, we will do." He meant, "If you wish we will kill them." 'Umar said, "You are mistaken (for you can't kill them) after they have spoken your language, offered prayers towards your Qiblah, and performed Hajj like yours." Then 'Umar was carried to his house, and we went along with him, and the people were as if they had never suffered any calamity before that day. Some said, "Do not worry (he will be alright soon)." Some said, "We are afraid (that he will die)." Then an infusion of dates was brought to him and he drank it but it came out (of the wound) of his belly. Then milk was brought to him and he drank it, and it also came out of his belly. The people realised that he would die. We went to him, and the people came, praising him. A young man came, saying, "O’ chief of the believers! Receive the glad tidings from Allah to you due to your company with Allah's Messenger, and your superiority in Islam which you know. Then you became the ruler (i.e., caliph) and you ruled with justice and finally you have been martyred." 'Umar said, "I wish that all these privileges will counterbalance (my shortcomings) so that I will neither lose nor gain anything." When the young man turned back to leave, his clothes seemed to be touching the ground. 'Umar said, "Call the young man back to me." (When he came back) 'Umar said, "O’ son of my brother! Lift your clothes, for this will keep your clothes clean and save you from the punishment of your lord." 'Umar further said, "0 'Abdullãh bin 'Umar! See how much I am in debt to others." When the debt was checked, it amounted to approximately eighty-six thousand. 'Umar said, "If the property of 'Umar's family covers the debt, then pay the debt thereof; otherwise request it from Bani Adi bin Ka'b, and if that too, is not sufficient, ask for it from Quraish tribe, and do not ask for it from anyone else, and pay this debt on my behalf." 'Umar then said (to 'Abdullah), "Go to 'Aishah (Mother of the believers) and say: 'Umar is paying his salutation to you.' But don't say: chief of the believers, because today I am not chief of the believers and say: 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission to be buried with his two companions (i.e., the Prophet, and Abu Bakr).'" Abdullah greeted 'Aishah and asked for the permission for entering, and then entered to her and found her sitting and weeping. He said to her, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab is paying his salutations to you, and asks the permission to be buried with his two companions." She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself, but today I prefer' 'Umar to myself." When he returned it was said (to 'Umar), "'Abdullah bin 'Umar has come." 'Umar said, "Make me sit up." Somebody supported him against his body and 'Umar asked ('Abdullah), "What news do you have?" He said, "O’ chief of the believers! It is as you wish. She has given the permission." 'Umar said, "Praise be to Allah, there was nothing more important to me than this. So when I die, take me, and greet 'Aishah and say: 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asks the permission (to be buried with the Prophet), and if she gives the permission, bury me there, and if she refuses, then take me to the graveyard of the Muslims." Then Hafsa (the Mother of the believers) came with many other women walking with her. When we saw her, we went away. She went in (to 'Umar) and wept there for some time. When the men asked for permission to enter, she went into another place, and we heard her weeping inside. The people said (to 'Umar), "0 chief of the believers! Appoint a successor." 'Umar said, "I do not find anyone more suitable for the job than the following persons, or group, whom Allah's Messenger had been pleased with before he died." Then 'Umar mentioned 'Ali, 'Uthman, Az-Zubair, Talha, Sa'd and 'Abdur-Rahman (bin 'Auf) and said, "Abdullah bin 'Umar will be a witness to you, but he will have no share in the rule. His being a witness will compensate him for not sharing the right of ruling. If Sa'd becomes the ruler, it will be alright; otherwise, whoever becomes the ruler should seek his help, as I have not dismissed him because of incompetence or dishonesty." 'Umar added, "I recommend that my successor takes care of the early emigrants; to know their rights and protect their honor and sacred things. I also recommend that he be kind to the Ansar who had lived in Al-Madina before the emigrants and Belief had entered their hearts before them. I recommend that the (ruler) should accept the good  of the righteous among them and excuse their wrongdoers, and I recommend that he should do good to all the people of the towns (Al-A nsãr) as they are the protectors of Islam and the source of wealth and the source of annoyance to the enemy. I also recommend that nothing be taken from them except from their surplus with their consent. I also recommend that he do good to the Al-A'rab (Arab Bedouin), as they are the origin of the Arabs and the material of Islam. He should take from what is inferior, amongst their properties and distribute that to the poor amongst them. I also recommend him concerning Allah's and His Messenger's protectees (i.e., Dhimmi) to fulfill their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability." So when 'Umar expired, we carried him out and set out walking. 'Abdullah bin -'Umar greeted ('Aishah) and said," 'Umar bin A1-Khattab asks for the permission. 'Aishah said, "Bring him in." He was brought in and buried beside his two companions. When he was buried the group (recommended by 'Umar) held a meeting. Then 'Abdur-Rahman said, "Reduce the candidates for ruler ship to three of you." Az-Zubair said, "I give up my right to 'Ali." Talha said, "I give up my right to 'Uthman," Sa'd said, "I give up my right to 'Abdur-Ralman bin 'Auf." 'Abdur-Rahman then said (to Uthman and Ali) "Now which of you is willing to give up his right of candidacy so that he may choose the better of the two, bearing in mind that Allah will be his witness and so will be Islam." So both the sheikhs (i.e., 'Uthman and 'Ali) kept silent. 'Abdur- Rahman said, "Will you both leave this matter to me, and I take Allah as my Witness that I will not choose but the better of you?" They said, "Yes." So 'Abdur-Rahmãn took the hand of one of them (i.e., 'Ali) and said, "You are related to Allah's Messenger and one of the earliest Muslims, as you know well. So, I ask you by Allah to promise that if I select you as a ruler you will do justice, and if I select Uthman as a ruler, you will listen to him and obey him." Then he took the other (i.e. 'Uthman) aside and said the same to him. When 'Abdur-Rahman secured (their agreement to) this covenant, he said, "O’ Uthman! Raise your hand." So he (i.e. 'Abdur-Rahman) gave him (i.e., 'Uthman) the Baia (pledge), and then 'Ali gave him the Baia and then all the people of Al-Madina gave him the Baia.

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 7207:

Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama:

The group of people whom 'Umar had selected as candidates for the Caliphate gathered and consulted each other, Abdur-Rahman said to them, "I am not going to compete with you in this matter, but if you wish, I would select for you a caliph from among you,." so all of them agreed to let 'Abdur-Rahman decide the case. So when the candidates placed the case in the hands of 'Abdur-Rahman, the people went towards him and nobody followed the rest of the group nor obeyed any after him. So the people followed 'Abdur-Rahman and consulted him all those nights till there came the night we gave the oath of allegiance to 'Uthman. Al-Miswar (bin Makhrama) added: 'Abdur-Rahman called on me after a portion of the night had passed and knocked on my door till I got up, and he said to me, "I see you have been sleeping! By Allah, during the last three nights I have not slept enough. Go and call Az-Zubair and Sa'd.' So I called them for him and he consulted them and then called me saying, 'Call 'Ali for me." I called 'Ali and he held a private talk with him till very late at night, and then 'Ali, got up to leave having had much hope (to be chosen as a Caliph) but 'Abdur-Rahman was afraid of something concerning 'Ali. 'Abdur-Rahman then said to me, "Call 'Uthman for me." I called him and he kept on speaking to him privately till the Mu'adhdhin put an end to their talk by announcing the Adhan for the Fajr prayer. When the people finished their morning prayer and that (six men) group gathered near the pulpit, 'Abdur-Rahman sent for all the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar present there and sent for the army chief who had performed the Hajj with 'Umar that year. When all of them had gathered, 'Abdur-Rahman said, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah," and added, "Now then, O 'Ali, I have looked at the people's tendencies and noticed that they do not consider anybody equal to 'Uthman, so you should not incur blame (by disagreeing)." Then 'Abdur-Rahman said (to 'Uthman), "I gave the oath of allegiance to you on condition that you will follow Allah's Laws and the traditions of Allah's Apostle and the traditions of the two Caliphs after him." So 'Abdur-Rahman gave the oath of allegiance to him, and so did the people including the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar and the chiefs of the army staff and all the Muslims.

Bukhari Volume 2, Book 23, Number 1392:

Narrated 'Amr bin Maimun Al-Audi:

I saw 'Umar bin Al-Khattab (when he was stabbed) saying, "O 'Abdullah bin 'Umar! Go to the mother of the believers Aisha and say, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab sends his greetings to you,' and request her to allow me to be buried with my companions." (So, Ibn 'Umar conveyed the message to 'Aisha) She said, "I had the idea of having this place for myself but today I prefer him ('Umar) to myself (and allow him to be buried there)." When 'Abdullah bin 'Umar returned, ‘Umar asked him; "What (news) do you have?" He replied, "O chief of the believers! She has allowed you (to be buried there)." On that 'Umar said, "Nothing was more important to me than to be buried in that (sacred) place. So, when I expire, carry me there and pay my greetings to her (‘Aisha) and say, 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asks permission; and if she gives permission, then bury me (there) and if she does not, then take me to the grave-yard of the Muslims. I do not think any person has more right for the caliphate than those with whom Allah's Apostle (s) was always pleased till his death. And whoever is chosen by the people after me will be the caliph, and you people must listen to him and obey him," and then he mentioned the name of 'Uthman, 'Ali, Talha, Az-Zubair, 'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Auf and Sad bin Abi Waqqas.

By this time a young man from Ansar came and said, "O chief of the believers! Be happy with Allah's glad tidings. The grade which you have in Islam is known to you, then you became the caliph and you ruled with justice and then you have been awarded martyrdom after all this." 'Umar replied, "O son of my brother, would that all that privileges will counterbalance; (my short comings) so that I neither lose nor gain anything. I recommend my successor to be good to the early emigrants and realize their rights and to protect their honor and sacred things. And I also recommend him to be good to the Ansar who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith. He should accept the good of the righteous among them and should excuse their wrongdoers. I recommend him to abide by the rules and regulations concerning the Dhimmis (protectees) of Allah and His Apostle, to fulfill their contracts completely and fight for them and not to tax (overburden) them beyond their capabilities."

(6) Question of successor in life time
& Umar’s response

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 93, Number 7218:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar:

It was said to 'Umar, "Will you appoint your successor?" Umar said, "If I appoint a Caliph (as my successor) it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Abu Bakr) did so, and if I leave the matter undecided, it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Allah's Apostle) did so." On this, the people praised him. 'Umar said, "People are of two kinds: Either one who is keen to take over the Caliphate or one who is afraid of assuming such a responsibility. I wish I could be free from its responsibility in that I would receive neither reward nor retribution I won't bear the burden of the caliphate in my death as I do in my life."

Translator’s Note: 'Umar refused to appoint his successor lest he should be held responsible for the mistakes in future.

Note: This was his stance, before he was stabbed and was a view in normal circumstances, after he was stabbed Umar gave a list of people to act as Electoral College. 

(7) Non-Muslim’s rights under protection
Dhimmi NOT to be enslaved

(174) CHAPTER. One should fight for the protection of the Dhimmi (i.e., free non-

Muslim subjects living in a Muslim country) and they should not be enslaved.

Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 3052:

Narrated 'Amr bin Maimun:

Umar (after he was stabbed), instructed (his would-be-successor) saying, "I urge him (i.e. the new Caliph) to take care of those non-Muslims who are under the protection of Allah and His Apostle in that he should observe the convention agreed upon with them, and fight on their behalf (to secure their safety) and he should not over-tax them beyond their capability."

Killing Zimmi under protection – Paradise denied

(30) CHAFFER. The sin of a person who killed an innocent Dhimmi (a non-Muslim living in a Muslim state and enjoying the protection of Muslims);

Bukhari Volume 9, Book 87, Number 6914:

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr:

The Prophet (s) said, "Whoever killed a Mu'ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling)."