It was narrated that Nafi’ bin 'Abdul-Harith met 'Umar bin al-Khattab in ‘Usfan, when he was his governor in Makkah. Umar asked:
Whom have you appointed as your deputy over the people of the valley? He said: I have appointed Ibn Abza over them, ‘Umar said: Who is Ibn Abza? Nafiʼ said: One of our freed slaves. ‘Umar said: Have you appointed a freed slave over them? Nafi’ said: He has great knowledge of the Book of Allah, is well versed in the rules of inheritance (al-fara'id) and is a (good) qadi (judge). 'Umar said. Indeed your Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah raises some people (in status) by means of this Book and brings others low by means of it.”