Sahih al-Bukhari 6945 (Book 93, Hadith 78)

Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar: It was said to `Umar, “Will you appoint your successor?” `Umar said, “If I appoint a Caliph (as my
successor) it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Abu Bakr) did so, and if I leave the
matter undecided, it is true that somebody who was better than I (i.e., Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)) did so.” On
this, the people praised him. `Umar said, “People are of two kinds: Either one who is keen to take over
the Caliphate or one who is afraid of assuming such a responsibility. I wish I could be free from its
responsibility in that I would receive neither reward nor retribution I won’t bear the burden of the
caliphate in my death as I do in my life.”

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قِيلَ لِعُمَرَ أَلاَ تَسْتَخْلِفُ قَالَ إِنْ أَسْتَخْلِفْ فَقَدِ اسْتَخْلَفَ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي أَبُو بَكْرٍ، وَإِنْ أَتْرُكْ فَقَدْ تَرَكَ مَنْ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِّي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَثْنَوْا عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَاغِبٌ رَاهِبٌ، وَدِدْتُ أَنِّي نَجَوْتُ مِنْهَا كَفَافًا لاَ لِي وَلاَ عَلَىَّ لاَ أَتَحَمَّلُهَا حَيًّا وَمَيِّتًا‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 6945 (Book 93, Hadith 78)

 

The above hadith is from the Sahih al-Buhari collection of hadiths. Sahih al-Bukhari is more than just a book; it is a meticulously curated archive of the Prophet’s Sunnah. Compiled by Imam al-Bukhārī over sixteen years, its completion around 847 CE was a landmark event in Islamic history. Its inclusion in the Kutub al-Sittah solidifies its canonical importance alongside five other major collections. The text’s enduring influence stems from its author’s unparalleled effort to verify each narration, resulting in a trusted compilation of 7,563 hadiths organized into 97 chapters that serve as a definitive guide for millions of believers.

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For more Hadith in Book 93: Judgments (Ahkaam)
 

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