Umar, the second caliph, may have been the first to instigate a written collection of hija' paradoxically, since his moral strictness and aversion to lampoons are well-attested. He is reported to have said: I had forbidden you to mention anything of what happened between Muslims and polytheists in order to ward off mutual grudges and the spreading of infamy amongst you. However, since they are obstinate, write it down and preserve it.