His name was Uthman bin Affan bin Abul Aas bin Umayyah, and he was a Quraishi and Umayyan. His lineage and that of the Prophet (Pbuh) meet at Abd Manaf. He was born in Taif, 6 years after the year of the Elephant corresponding to 576 CE. His mother’s name was Arwa bint Kurayz bin Habib and his grandmother was al-Bayda bint Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim, the paternal aunt of Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh).
Uthman (RA) was nicknamed Abu Abdullah and Abu Amr. Abdullah was his son from Ruqayyah (RA), the daughter of Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh). Uthman (RA) was also nicknamed ‘Dhun-Nurayn’ (‘the possessor of the two lights’) because he was married to Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (May Allah be pleased with them), the two daughters of the Prophet (Pbuh). He was the only man who married two of the Prophet’s daughters.
In a hadeeth narrated by ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, he said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Abu Bakr will be in Paradise, ‘Umar will be in Paradise, ‘Uthmaan will be in Paradise, ‘Ali will be in Paradise, Talhah will be in Paradise, al-Zubayr will be in Paradise, ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf will be in Paradise, Sa’d will be in Paradise, Sa’eed will be in Paradise, and Abu ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Jarraah will be in Paradise.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 3680). Sa’d is Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas, and Sa’eed is Sa’eed ibn Zayd.
Narrated Ja’far bin Muhammad (ra) on the authority of his father, “Whenever Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) sat, Abu Bakr (ra) sat on his right, Umar (ra) sat on his left, and Uthman (ra) sat in front of him, because he was the Prophet’s private secretary.”
Uthman (RA) was neither tall nor short; he was handsome with wheat colored hair and a thick healthy beard. He was big boned and wide shouldered. Abdullah bin Hazm (RA) said, “I saw Uthman (RA). I have never seen a male or a female more handsome than he.”
It was not strange that Uthman bin Affan (RA) was one of the earliest who embraced Islam. He was inclined towards goodness by nature. He frequented meetings that were attended by those like him. He especially could be found at the house of Abu-Bakr As-Siddiq (RA), which was often a place of meeting for the honorable men of Quraish. Abu Bakr (RA) invited the trusted persons he knew to Islam. Uthman bin Affan (RA) was one of those whom Abu Bakr (RA) invited to Islam. He said to him, “Woe to you, Uthman! By Allah, you are a prudent and sensible man who distinguishes between right and wrong. The idols that your people worship are mere stones that hear not, see not and neither benefit nor harm!” Uthman (RA) said, “Yes indeed. By Allah, they are nothing but what you have said.” Abu Bakr (RA) said, “This is Muhammad bin Abdullah (Pbuh), whom Allah Azwajal sent as a Messenger to all mankind. Would you like to come and hear him?” Uthman (RA) said, “Yes, I shall come.” While they were in that state, Allah’s Messenger (Pbuh) came accompanied by Ali bin Abi Talib (RA) who was carrying a garment. When Abu Bakr (RA) saw him coming, he drew nearer to him and confided in him the details of his conversation with Uthman (RA). Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) came and sat down, and said to Uthman (ra): “O Uthman! Respond to Allah azwajal concerning His Paradise. I am the Messenger of Allah to you and to His creation.” Uthman (Ra) said, “By Allah, when I heard these words, I could not help but to revert to Islam, and utter the Testimony of Faith: ‘I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”
The persecution inflicted by the unbelievers of Makkah against the Muslims differed according to their status. When Uthman (ra) reverted to Islam,his paternal uncle Al-Hakam bin Abul Aas bin Umayyah chained him and said to him, “Do you abandon the religion of your forefathers to adopt the religion of an innovator? By Allah, I will never unchain you unless and until you abandon the religion you have converted to.” Uthman (ra) said, “By Allah, I will never abandon it nor move an inch from it.” When Al-Hakam saw his persistence in his religion, he left him.
On the Prophet’s command, the Muslims started migrating to Abyssinia evading the persecution of the disbelievers. Uthman (ra) migrated with his wife Ruqayyah (ra). She also migrated with him to Madeena later.
Ruqayyah (ra) fell sick at the time when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out for the battle of Badr, and he ordered ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) to stay with her, but he allocated him his share of the booty, and rewarded him for the battle as if he had been present. When the good news of the Muslims’ victory at Badr came, they had just finished burying her (may Allaah be pleased with her). She bore ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) ‘Abd-Allaah who died when he was six years old. When Ruqayyah (ra) died, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) married Umm Kalthoom (ra) to ‘Uthmaan (ra). She died in 9 AH and did not bear him any children.
In Medina, water was scarce and control of the wells was tightly held by several men. Because he was a skilful trader and negotiator, Uthman set about trying to procure a well for the use of the Muslims. He negotiated a price for half a well; he would have control one day and the other owner the next day. However, Uthman gave his water to the Muslims freely, so nobody wanted to pay for the water on the alternate days. The original owner of the well had no choice but to sell his half of the well to Uthman who nevertheless paid a fair price for it. Uthman continued to allow the water to be used freely by all and never reminded the people of his charity.
Uthman (ra) gave freely from his wealth to please Allah and His messenger Muhammad.(pbuh)
Historical Islamic stories mention that every Friday Uthman would buy slaves for the purpose of setting them free and that although he was wealthy he was often without servants because of this habit.
When Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) and the Muslim armies were going to fight the Byzantines at Tabuk (in the expedition also known as ‘Expedition of distress’), he called on the wealthier people to give from their wealth and property to support and equip the soldiers. Uthman (ra) surpassed them all by his generosity.
Shyness was one of his most unique outstanding qualities, amongst many others.
Al Hasan (ra) said describing Uthman (ra)’s shyness:
‘He might be in the house with the door closed, and he might not take off his garment to pour water over his body. Shyness prevented him from holding his back upright’.
Aisha (ra) said:
‘The Prophet (saw) was reclining in his house with his legs and thighs bared. Abu Bakr (ra) and Umar (ra) asked to enter and when they did, the Prophet (saw) remained in that position. They conversed with each other, and then Uthman (ra) asked to enter. Immediately Allah’s Messenger (saw) sat upright, and covered himself. The Prophet (saw) and Uthman (ra) conversed. When he left, I (Aisha) asked ‘O Messenger of Allah! When Abu Bakr and Umar entered, you did not sit upright for them. But when Uthman entered, you sat upright and covered yourself??’ The Prophet (saw) answered, ‘Should I not be shy in front of the man even the angels feel shy of?’… (Muslim)
Anas (ra) narrated that the Prophet (saw) said:
‘The most kind of my nation is Abu Bakr (ra). The most stern regarding the religion of Allah (swt) is Umar (ra). And the most truthful in shyness is Uthman (ra).
In addition to the manifest and noble characteristics of Uthman (ra), he was one of the scribes of the revelations.
Extensive conquests were made during the reign of Uthman, including parts of Spain, Morocco, and Afghanistan. Uthman was also the first Caliph to organise a navy. He reorganised the administrative divisions of the Muslim Caliphate, expanded, and initiated many public projects. Perhaps Uthman’s most astounding contribution to the Muslims was his compilation of the Quran.
When ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) heard of the differences among the people and Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with him) came to him and said “Save the people,” he consulted the Companions who were still alive at this time, such as ‘Ali, Talhah, al-Zubayr and others, and they suggested compiling the Qur’aan in one style, so that the people would not differ. So he compiled it (may Allaah be pleased with him), and he formed a four-man committee for that task, headed by Zayd ibn Thaabit (may Allaah be pleased with him). So they compiled the Qur’aan in one style, and copied it and distributed it to the various regions so that the people could rely on it and so as to put an end to disputes.
With regard to the seven recitations or ten recitations, they are present in what was compiled by ‘Uthmaan, and have to do with adding a letter or omitting a letter, or elongating or shortening a vowel. All of that is included in the one style that ‘Uthmaan (may Allaah be pleased with him) compiled. The intention behind that was to preserve the word of Allaah and protect people from differences that could harm them or cause fitnah among them. Allaah has not enjoined reciting it in the seven styles, rather the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “Recite whichever is easiest.” So the people’s agreeing upon one style is a good action for which ‘Uthmaan and the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) are to be appreciated, because it made things easier for people and prevented a cause of dispute among the Muslims.
The final six years of Uthman’s reign were marked by rebellion. Some of the governors that had been appointed during the reign of Uthman were heavy handed and to some extent unjust. In this way, the seeds of dissension spread and many of the people began to love the luxuries of life that Uthman had warned against. Conspiracies arose and it was difficult for Uthman to discern friend from foe. He was reluctant to shed the blood of any Muslim however rebellious they may be. Uthman preferred to persuade with kindness and generosity for he always remembered the words of Prophet Muhammad. “Once the sword is unsheathed among my followers, it will not be sheathed until the Last Day.”
The rebels called for Uthman to step down and indeed many of the companions advised him to do so. Uthman, now an old man of more than 80 years, heard the words of his beloved prophet ringing in his ears and refused to stand down from his position. “Perhaps God will clothe you with a shirt, Uthman and if the people want you to take it off, do not take it off for them.” Uthman remained true to his covenant but after a long siege, the rebels broke into his house and murdered him. As the assassin’s sword struck, Uthman was reciting the following verse.
“So God will suffice for you against them. And He is the All Hearer and the All Knower.” (Quran 2:137)
Such was the tragic end of one of the most pious, kind and selfless men in Islam.
May Allah be pleased with him.
LIFE 