Islamic Values

Refusing power to avoid dissension It was suggested to Abdullah ibn Umar, the son of Caliph Umar, that everyone would be pleased if he were to stand for the Caliphate. “Will you tell me if even one person opposes me in the east?” Asked Ibn Umar, “Anyone who opposes you will be killed,” he was told, “and what is one death when the betterment of the entire Muslim community is at stake?” “By God,” replied Ibn Umar, “even if you were to give me all the world, I should not like a single Muslim to be killed by a spear whose shaft was wielded by the followers of Muhammad and the tip held by me.” A man came to Ibn Umar and accused him of being the worst of all Muslims. “God knows,” said Ibn Umar, “that I have not shed the blood of Muslims, nor have I divided or weakened them. So why do you accuse me in this way?” The others explained to him that if he wished, no two Muslims would disagree over him, meaning thereby that they wish him to stand for the Caliphate. But Ibn Umar said that he would not like to be Caliph without having everyone’s wholehearted support. (IBN SA‘D, TABAQAT)