Apppointment As Governor of Kufa

Hazrat Umar (ra) once appointed Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) as the governor of Kufa and sent the following instructions to the people of Kufa, “I have now sent Ammar bin Yasir (ra) as the Ameer and ibn Mas‘ud as the teacher and minister. I have also assigned to ibn Mas‘ud to oversee the Baitul Maal [the treasury]. The two of them are among the honoured Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) who participated in the Battle of Badr. Therefore, obey them, follow their orders and comply with everything they say. I have given preference to Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas‘ud (ra) over myself. I have sent Usman bin Hunaif and appointed him to oversee in Al-Sawad” (An area in Iraq which has been named Sawad due to its fertile land and verdure.)

(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 193, Ammar bin Yasir, Dar-ul-Ihya At-turath Al-Arabi, 1990, Beirut)

Then, after some complaint from the people of Kufa, Hazrat Umar (ra) removed Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) from that office. Hazrat Umar (ra) later asked him, “Did it displease you when I removed you from that office?” Hazrat Ammar (ra) replied, “Since you have asked, it was unpleasant for me even at the time when you appointed me in that office, however it was out of obedience I accepted it. It was also unpleasant for me when I was removed.”

(At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, Vol. 3, p. 194, Ammar bin Yasir, Dar-ul-Ihya At-turath Al-Arabi, 1990, Beirut)

Indeed, it did not please him but he remained silent and showed complete obedience even when being removed. He only expressed what was in his heart when Hazrat Umar (ra) himself enquired from him.