Muhammad ibn Maslama's Division of Amr's Wealth

قِسامة محمد بن مسلمة لعمرو بن العاص

c. 20 AH

In al-Baladhuri: Umar ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him) would record his governors' wealth when appointing them, then share with them whatever grew beyond it, sometimes taking it outright — so he wrote to Amr ibn al-As (may God be pleased with him) that goods, slaves, vessels and beasts had flourished for him beyond what he held when given Egypt; Amr wrote back that his was a land of sowing and trade whence they drew surplus beyond their needs, and Umar answered: 'I have learned enough from bad governors; your letter to me is the letter of one unsettled by the taking of his due — I have thought ill of you, and have sent Muhammad ibn Maslama (may God be pleased with him) to divide with you what you own; open to him, bring out what he demands, and pardon his harshness upon you, for he spares no concealment' — and he divided his wealth with him; Amr said when he divided it 'a time that treats us so — the time of Ibn Hantama — is an evil time; al-Asi used to wear brocade edging on silk', and Muhammad answered 'hush — but for this time of Ibn Hantama you hate, you would be found dragging a goat in your house's yard, glad of its yarn, its droppings your equal'; Amr said 'I adjure you by God to tell Umar my words, for councils are a trust', and he answered 'I shall mention nothing of what passed between us while Umar lives'.