Sahih Al-Bukhari — Hadith #7218
Hadith #7218
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قِيلَ لِعُمَرَ أَلاَ تَسْتَخْلِفُ قَالَ إِنْ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَقَدِ اسْتَخْلَفَ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي أَبُو بَكْرٍ، وَإِنْ أَتْرُكْ فَقَدْ تَرَكَ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَثْنَوْا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَاغِبٌ رَاهِبٌ، وَدِدْتُ أَنِّي نَجَوْتُ مِنْهَا كَفَافًا لاَ لِي وَلاَ عَلَىَّ لاَ أَتَحَمَّلُهَا حَيًّا وَمَيِّتًا.
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 Messenger (ﷺ)) 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."
Narrated by
Abdullah ibn Umar (RA)
Source
Sahih Al-Bukhari # 93/7218
Grade
Sahih
Category
Chapter 93: Judgments (Ahkaam)