Note 420 — Chapter XXVIII · DEATH OF OMAR. A.H. XXIII. A.D. 644.
Reading edition
The following story is told even by the earliest authorities:—Káb (the converted Jewish doctor, of whom mention has been made already) came to the Caliph and said, ‘Omar, thou hast but three days to live.’ ‘Strange,’ said Omar, ‘for I feel quite well and strong.’ ‘Nevertheless,’ continued Káb, ‘thus and thus I find it foretold in the Towrât.’ Next day he came again, and told Omar he had but two days left. After he was struck down, Káb came to visit him, and Omar said, on this occasion, to those about him,—‘Káb spake the truth,’ adding this couplet—
Káb warned me that in three days I should die; in the prophecy of Káb there is no doubt; I fear not death; and verily I am dying; but the fear of the wolf followeth in its wake.
For wolf (zeib) some read sin (zanb). It is difficult to say what can have given rise to this strange tradition. Possibly Káb, seeing the sullen and threatening attitude of Abu Lulû, may have warned him accordingly.