It is narrated from Shurayh bin Ubaid, Rashid bin Sa’d, and others that when Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) reached the place of Sargh, he received news that a severe epidemic had broken out in the land of Syria. He said to the people: I have received news that a severe epidemic has spread in Syria. I have thought that if death overtakes me and Sayyiduna Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him) remains alive, I will appoint him as my successor. If Allah asks me why I appointed him as the caliph over the Ummah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), I will reply that I heard Your Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Every prophet has a trustworthy man, and my trustworthy man is Abu Ubaidah bin Jarrah (may Allah be pleased with him). The people, rejecting the statement of Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), said: What will become of the nobles of Quraysh? By this, they meant the people of Banu Fihr. But Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: If death comes to me after Abu Ubaidah (may Allah be pleased with him), then I will appoint Sayyiduna Mu’adh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) as the caliph. If my Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, asks me why I appointed him as the caliph, I will say that I heard Your Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) say: Mu’adh will lead the scholars on the Day of Resurrection.