It is narrated from Malik bin Dinar; he said: When Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, the voice of an unseen caller was heard from the mountain of Tabalah: "Let whoever would weep, weep over Islam, for the people are close to ruin though (Umar's) era has not yet grown old. The world has turned its back and its good has departed, and the one who had certainty in Allah's promise has grown weary of it." The people looked around but saw nothing.

It is narrated from al-Sha'bi that Atikah bint Zayd bin Amr bin Nufayl, lamenting Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), said: "O my eye, pour forth tears abundantly and weep bitterly; do not be slack (in weeping) over the firm Imam. Death has grieved me with the loss of the horseman who was the foremost warrior on the day of battle and assault. He was the refuge of the religion and a helper against the hardships of time, and like a rain of mercy for the destitute and the distressed. Tell the people of hardship and poverty to die now, for death has made Umar drink the cup of sha'ub (death)." Atikah (may Allah be pleased with her) also said: "Fayruz (Abu Lu'lu'ah), may Allah grant him no good, has grieved me over that fair-complexioned man who recited the Book of Allah abundantly and turned to Allah in repentance. He was most kind to those close to him and stern with the enemies, a trustworthy and noble brother in times of calamity. Whenever he said something, his deed did not belie his word; he hastened towards good deeds, and there was never a frown on his face." Imam al-Hakim said: The hadith of the story of the Shura is found in the two Sahihs, but here I have mentioned some narrations whose chains are authentic and which contain useful and rare information.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said to the members of the Shura: "May Allah do good to them! If they make this 'usayli'' (the one with the slightly bald head) Khalifah, he will lead them on the path of truth, even if a sword is placed on his neck." Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: I said: "You know this about him, so why do you not make him Khalifah?" He replied: "If I appoint a successor, (there is room for me in that, because) one who was better than me appointed a successor (that is, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq); and if I leave (this matter to the Shura), (there is room for that too, because) one who was better than me also left it (that is, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him))." An account of the virtues of the Amir al-Mu'minin Dhu al-Nurayn, Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).