Chapter 4: Successor to the Caliphate
Succession to the Caliphate:
One Friday after the Jumu’ah prayer, the Caliph at the time, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik consulted Raja ibn Haywa about choosing his successor.
They eventually agreed that Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz should be appointed as the next Caliph.
Raja wrote on Sulayman’s behalf: This is a letter from Abdullah Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik, the Commander of the Faithful, to Umar bin Abd-al ‘Aziz, I hereby nominate Umar bin Abd-al ‘Aziz as my successor to the Caliphate and Yazid bin Abd-al Malik as his successor. Listen carefully and obey the new Caliph! Fear Allah, and do not be divided amongst yourselves, because this will lead to your downfall.
Reaction of Umar bin Abd-al ‘Aziz:
When Umar bin Abd-al Aziz heard this, he told Raja ibn Haywa that Sulayman had shown him immense kindness and trust by naming him as his successor.
Umar added that he was afraid of this responsibility and asked Allah to free him from it immediately, before it became harder to step down later.
Raja ibn Haywa informed him that this was no longer possible, as Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik had already passed away.
Funeral of Sulayman bin Abd-al Malik and Umar’s Refusal of Transportation:
Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz led the funeral prayer for Sulayman, who he was succeeding as the Leader of the Muslims.
After the Janazah, a group of donkeys, horses and mule drivers were prepared for Umar’s use as the new Caliph.
Umar asked: what is this for? They replied: This is for your transportation.
Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz then told these people that his own mule was enough for him.
The remaining animals were sold, and the proceeds were placed in the bayt al-Mal (Public Treasury).