Refrences from and Transmitted by:
Hayatus Sahabah (Lives of the Companions) p 41 - 43 .
Abi Naim in Al Hilliyah .
Al Kanz Vol V p382 .
Said bin Musaiyb (ra) says:
When Umar bin Khattab (ra) became a Caliph he delivered his address from the
pulpit. After praising Allah, he said, "O People! I am aware of the fact
that you think of me as a strict tough person. And this is because I had
been with the Prophet (pbuh) as a slave and a servant and he was as Allah
has said, about him, 'You are very kind and merciful toward the Muslims'. In
fact, I was like a drawn-out sword in his presence but he would keep me in
the sheath and I stopped if he ordered me not to do something otherwise I
would attack people because of his extreme politeness. I passed my days with
the Prophet (pbuh) in the same manner till he passed away. And he left in a
state that he was pleased with me. I pay much thanks to Allah over this and
I achieved success because of him. I remained with Abu Bakr (ra) in the same
manner who became his (pbuh) Caliph. You know well how soft, kind and
merciful he was in his dealings. I was his servant and acted like an open
sword. I used to associate my firmness with his softness. But I used to stop
if he ordered me so, otherwise I acted on my own. I passed my days with him
until he also passed away. Bu he left in a state that he was pleased with me
and I thank Allah much for this. I achieved success because of him too. Now
your affairs have been entrusted to me. And I know someone will say that I
was so strict when the Caliphate was in the hands of others and what will I
do now when the Caliphate has come to me. Let it be known to you that you
should ask others nothing about me, for you know me well and you have vast
experience about me. You are well aware of the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)
as I know it. And I am not ashamed of (doing) anything if I think it to be
good, for I have already verified things from the Prophet (pbuh). Now I want
to make you know that my firmness against the oppressors and the wrong-doers
will now multiply, as the Caliphate has come to me. I will not rest until my
cheek touches the ground in my strict actions against exploitations of the
weak. I will perform my duties with determination in the interests of the
honest and the pious people, who refrain from doing wrong and who obey
commands of Allah. I do no don't deny the fact that if any difference takes
place between you and me, I shall be found ready to go to anybody of your
favour for seeking justice. Thus, 'O Servants of Allah! Fear Allah and help
me to become a person who acts in accordance's with Allah's permissible and
impermissible orders and do not hesitate to tender me your admonition
regarding the matters Allah has entrusted to me'. Thereafter he descended
from the pulpit.
Mohammad bin Zaid (ra) narrates. Ali (ra), Uthman (ra), Zubair (ra), Talha
(ra), Abdul Rahman bin Auf (ra) and Saad (ra) gathered together and they
said to Abdul Rahman (ra) who was supposed to be very frank with Umar (ra),
'You go and talk to Amir-Mominin about the people and say that a needy
person goes to him with his grievance but cannot place it before him out of
fear, and awe'. Accordingly Abdul Rahman (ra) went to Umar (ra) and said,
'Please turn polite towards people, because a needy person comes to you but
he cannot place his grievances out of fear, and he goes back without saying
anything'. Umar (ra) said, 'Tell me by Allah, O Abdul Rahman, have you been
sent by Ali, Uthman, Talha, Zubair and Saad?'. Abdul Rahman (ra) replied in
the affirmative. Umar (ra) said, 'O Abdul Rahman! By Allah, I became so much
mild and soft towards the people that fear of Allah's accountability gripped
me. Then I turned towards firmness but that too created fear of Allah in me.
Now you tell me as to what is the way out?' Having heard this, Abdul Rahman
(ra) got up with tears in his eyes, and while throwing shawl over his
shoulders, he kept indicating that he very much regretted the attitude if
those people (towards him).
Hayatus Sahabah (Lives of the Companions) p 41 - 43 .