Sahih al-Bukhari 7218

Hadith text

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

Abdullah bin Umar bataate hain: Umar se kaha gaya, 'Kya aap apna jaanashin muqarrar karenge?' Umar ne kaha, 'Agar main ek Khalifa (apna jaanashin) muqarrar karta hoon, to sach hai ke kisi ne jo mujhse behtar tha (yaani Abu Bakr) aisa kiya; aur agar main ye maamla bina faisla kiye chhod deta hoon, to sach hai ke kisi ne jo mujhse behtar tha (yaani Allah ke Rasool SAW) aisa kiya.' Isper, logon ne unki tareef ki. Umar ne kaha, 'Log do qism ke hote hain: ya to wo jo Khilaafat lene ke liye betaab ho ya wo jo aisi zimmedaari uthaane se darta ho. Kaash main is zimmedaari se azaad ho jaata jismein mujhe na ajr milega na saza. Main apni maut mein Khilaafat ka bojh nahi uthaunga jaisa main apni zindagi mein uthaata hoon.'

Sahih al-Bukhari 7218 · Book 93, Hadith 78