Once Hazrat Umar, sitting in the Masjid of the Rasool, was busy in the affairs of the state. Two young men, holding a strong and sturdy countryman, appeared before him. They complained to Hazrat Umar that the person had murdered their old father. They demanded justice by punishing the murderer for his crime.
The Caliph looked at the young man and said, "You have heard the charge leveled against you. What have you to say in your defence?" The villager replied, "Commander of the Faithful, I plead guilty to the charge. I was leading my beloved camel. When I reached a garden and halted to rest, the camel nipped a few leaves off the hanging branch of a tree. The old man, on seeing this, hurled a stone at the camel with all his might. The stone caught the camel on the side of the head. It reeled and fell down dead. The camel was very dear to me. I could not control my anger, so I took the same stone that had killed my dear camel and hurled it at the old man with all my strength. The stone hit the old man on the head and subsequently killed him. At this, these two young men came to me and I surrendered myself to them".
Caliph: As you have confessed your crime, there is no need of witnesses. You are, therefore, sentenced to death.
Villager: I accept this sentence but request you to delay the execution for three days.
Caliph: Why do you ask for delay in the execution of the sentence?
Villager: My father on his death left some gold for my younger brother who is too young to be told about the place where I hid it. I have buried the gold in the earth in a field and no one knows the place. If my brother, on account of my death, does not get his due share, I shall be called to account on the Day of Judgment for being dishonest. Be kind and grant me three days' time. After handing over the gold to the trustee, I will return to face death.
Caliph: Have you anyone who can stand as surety and who will be willing to suffer death if you fail to return?
Villager: (Looking at the people present in the court and pointing to Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari) This gentleman will stand as my surety.
Caliph: (addressing Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari) Do you agree to stand as surety?
Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari: I do.
Hazrat Abuzar Ghaffari was a highly respected Sahabi. The Caliph accepted him as the surety. Both the accusers also agreed to it, and the criminal was allowed to leave.