The Devils Deception by Imam Ibn AL-Jawzi

T H E D E V I L ' S
D E C E P T I O N S
he who split the seed and created the soul, only a pious believer
loves them, and only a wretched sinner hates them. Those two accompanied
Allah's Messenger, commanding all that was good and
prohibiting all that was evil; who became angry with wrongdoers
and punished them based on truth and honesty alone. In their rulings,
they did not overstep the opinions of Allah's Messenger. In
fact, their opinions always coincided with those of Allah's Messenger,
and the believers were pleased with both of them throughout
their respective caliphates.
The Messenger of Allah () appointed Abu Bakr to lead the believers
in their prayers for the last nine days of his life. The believers,
subsequently, made him responsible for their affairs, and gave him
their zaktih. They willingly pledged allegiance to him and I was the
first from Banu 'Abdul-Muttalib to confirm his leadership. He disliked
leadership and wished that one of us would take his place. By
Allah, he was the best of those who remained after the Prophet ();
the eldest, the kindest, and truly the most compassionate and pious.
He was like Angel Mika'Il (alayhis-saltim) in his benevolence, and like
Prophet Ibrahim (alt!Jhis-saltim) in his willingness to forgive and his
dignified bearing. He took the path of the Prophet and passed away
on that path.
After Abu Bakr, 'Umar took command, and I was among those
pleased with his appointment. He ruled according to the code of
Allah's Messenger and his Companion, Abu Bakr (ratffyAl/tihu anhu),
following their footsteps the way the young camel follows its mother.
I swear by Allah, he was kind and gentle with the weak, a champion
of the cause of the oppressed and without any blame concerning
Allah's religion. Allah manifested examples of the truth through
him and made the truth a part of him to such a degree that we used
to think that an Angel was speaking with his tongue. Allah made his
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