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_001.jpg) Uthman ibn Affan was the third of Prophet Muhammad’s
successors. He was known as the leader of the faithful and ruled for
approximately 12 years. The first six years were times of relative
tranquillity and peace, however the last years of his reign were marred by
internal conflict, and pockets of rebels trying to cause havoc throughout the Caliphate.
Uthman is remembered as a pious, gentle, and kind man, known for his modesty
and shyness, and admired for his generosity. He ruled with impartial justice
and mild and humane policies, based on his obedience to God and his love for
Prophet Muhammad and the Muslim nation.
Uthman, may God be pleased with him, was born seven
years after Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, and
belonged to the Umayyad branch of the Quraish tribe. The Umayyads were the
most influential clan of the Quraish, they were the strongest and wealthiest,
and Uthman was their “golden child”, the most beloved, due to his good manners
and shyness. Like his predecessor Omar ibn Al Khattab, Uthman was able to read
and write. This was an unusual skill in pre Islamic Arabia and Uthman became a
successful trader and cloth merchant. Throughout his life he was known as a
kind, generous man and even before his conversion to Islam he would freely give
money to help those in need.
It was his close friend Abu Bakr who introduced Uthman
to Islam and he embraced the new religion at the age of thirty-four. This was
during the very early days of Islam when the men of Mecca were systematically
abusing and torturing any converts to Islam. In spite of the abuse, Uthman
would not give up his Islam and in time Uthman was married to Prophet Muhammad’s
daughter, Ruqiayah, thus strengthening his relationship to the Prophet.
The abuse and torture continued and Uthman’s wealthy
family and status in society as a merchant did not protect him. He was abused
and tortured even by members of his own family; his uncle shackled his hands
and feet and shut him in a dark enclosed room. The continual bad treatment by
his close family led Uthman and his wife to participate in the first migration
to Abyssinia. Prophet Muhammad praised his forbearing character and said “After
Lot, Uthman is the first man who, with his wife, has given up the comfort of
his home for the sake of God”. After some time Uthman and Ruqiayah returned to
Mecca to be with the struggling Muslims and their beloved father and Prophet.
Uthman formed a very close relationship with Prophet
Muhammad, and he gained intricate knowledge about the religion of Islam. He
narrated 146 traditions directly from the Prophet himself and was one of very
few people who were able to write down Quran. Uthman also became a reference
point for those trying to learn the rituals of worship. He understood and was
able to instruct others in the rituals of ablution, prayer, and other Islamic
obligations. Uthman also participated in the migration to Medina and here he
assisted Prophet Muhammad in establishing the Muslim nation. Prophet Muhammad
even referred to him as his assistant.
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. He was humble and
modest.
Uthman gave freely from his wealth to please God and His
messenger Muhammad. 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 and
the Muslim armies were going to fight the Byzantines at Tabuk, he called on the
wealthier people to give from their wealth and property to support and equip
the soldiers. Uthman presented 200 saddled camels and 200 ounces of gold. He also gave 1,000 dinars. Prophet Muhammad kept asking for donations hoping to
inspire others to give as freely as Uthman. However, it was Uthman who
surpassed them all and gave a total of 900 equipped camels.
The portrait we are able to build of Uthman is that of a
generous, unassuming, and kind man. He was known for his humbleness, modesty,
and piety. Uthman would often spend the nights in prayer and he was known to
fast often, sometimes on alternative days. In spite of his wealth, he lived
simply and would often sleep, wrapped in a blanket, on the sand of the mosque. Uthman
was appointed as the third leader of the Muslims after Prophet Muhammad by a
council of six men. He continued the humane and just rule of Prophet Muhammad,
Abu Bakr, and Omar. He cared for the Muslims and expanded the Muslim Caliphate
into Morocco, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan. For six years, his reign was one of
peace and calmness, but the winds of change were blowing over the empire.
Uthman ibn Affan, like his predecessors was a man of
the people. He was modest, shy, and humble but still his later reign was
marred by infighting and rebellion. God had chosen Uthman to be the third
leader but the people of dissension plotted to remove him from this noble
position. Prophet Muhammad had prophesized that Uthman would be placed in a
very difficult situation when he said, “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 did not remove his shirt, his love for God and his Messenger
kept him both strong and humble in the face of old age and extreme
difficulties.
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