Page:Muhammad Diyab al-Itlidi - Historical Tales and Anecdotes of the Time of the Early Khalîfahs - Alice Frere - 1873.djvu/67

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battle of el-Kâdisiyyah (see Translator's Note, p. 24), and pursued his successes until the whole of ʾIrâk was subdued.

In 23, the Khalîfah ʾOmar was assassinated, and as soon as it was known that his wounds were mortal, he was called upon to nominate his successor. Saʾad was one of those named to him; but ʾOmar considered that his disposition was too fierce and untractable. He was, however, among the six persons appointed by ʾOmar to deliberate upon the choice of a new Khalîfah, and was afterwards one of ʾOthmân's (ʾOmar's successor) governors of provinces. He died between the years 50 and 58, at his castle in Akîk, a town about ten miles from el-Medînah, and was buried in el-Bâkiya.

STORY is told of the people of el-Kûfah, that they one day presented themselves before ʾOmar-ibn-el-Khattâb, in order to complain of their governor, Saʾad-ibn-abi-Wakkâs. And when ʾOmar had heard them, he said, "Who will deliver me from these people of el-Kûfah? If I appoint a virtuous man for their ruler, they think that he is weak; and if I appoint a man of determination, they accuse him of impiety."

Then el-Mughîrah, the son of Shuʾabah, said to