The Governor Who Stayed Simple

'Umar ibn al-Khattab appointed 'Ammar as governor of Kufah, sending 'Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud with him as treasurer and teacher. In his letter to the people, 'Umar described both men as among the nobles of the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ, and told them to listen to them.

'Ammar was known to be plain and direct, and he was not rich. Some in Kufah felt that he lacked the polish of a politician, and he was removed after about a year, though no wrongdoing was alleged. The reports present a man who accepted the post as a service and left it without bitterness.

He stayed in Kufah and remained a respected elder and a man of knowledge until the strife began.