It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), he says: When Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was attacked, I was the first to go to him and he said to me: Remember three things of mine, I fear that people may not reach me. First, that I have not made any final decision regarding the matter of Kalalah. Second, that I have not appointed anyone as the caliph over the people. And third, that all the slaves who are in my possession are all free. Then the people said to him: Please appoint someone as caliph. He said: Whichever of the two matters I do, the superior personality before me has already done it. If I leave the matter of caliphate to the people, then the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also did the same, and if I appoint someone as caliph, then before me Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) did this, and he is better than me. I said to him: Glad tidings of Paradise to you, you had the honor of long companionship with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), you were entrusted with the position of Commander of the Faithful, so you demonstrated strength and fulfilled the trust excellently. Hearing this, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: As for your giving me glad tidings of Paradise, by Allah, I fear the Hereafter so much that before knowing the final outcome, even if I had the wealth of the whole world, I would give it all as ransom to escape this fear. Regarding what you said about the caliphate and leadership over the believers, I would prefer that if the reckoning is even, that is, I neither gain anything nor am I accused of any crime, then I would consider this sufficient for myself. However, as for the companionship of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that you mentioned, that honor is indeed a source of distinction.