Caliphate of Hazrat Usman (24AH-35AH)

Hazrat Usman: His life before becoming a caliph and his character:

Hazrat Usman belonged to Banu Ummayya family of the Quraish. His father‘s name was Affan. He was
born in Makkah in the 6th year of the Elephant.

His mother‘s name was Arwah. His ancestry coincided with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in fifth generation on
Abd Munaf. In the ignorance Period, his by-name was Abu Amr.

After embracing Islam, his by-name was Abu Abdullah. Hazrat Usman‘s father was one of the richest men
in Makkah. Hazrat Usman was educated and loved learning. He lived a chaste life, even during the Jahiliya
period, and never drank, gambled or worshipped idols.

When he accepted Islam at the hands of Hazrat Abu Bakr, his family started torturing him. Hazrat Usman
was one of the first Arabs to accept Islam. Muhammad (PBUH) gave Hazrat Usman his second daughter,
Hazrat Ruqayya, in marriage. Hazrat Usman migrated to Abbysinia with his wife, where he flourished as a
trader.
He returned to Makka when a rumor spread among the emigrants that the Quraish had accepted Islam.

Instead of returning to Abbysinia, he stayed back at Makkah with the Prophet (PBUH). Here, he spent
freely in the way of Allah and liberated quite a few Muslim slaves. Migrated to Madina where Hazrat Aus
bin Sabit was his host.

After the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Ruqayya fell ill and passed away. Muhammad (PBUH) gave his third
daughter, Hazrat Kulsum, in marriage to Hazrat Usman. Thus, Hazrat Usman is known as Zun-Nurain, or the
possessor of two lights. Barely 6 years after her marriage, Hazrat Kulsum also fell ill and died.

In Madina, Hazrat Usman worked hard as a trader and became one of the richest men of the city. He used
to spend freely in the way of Allah, and earned the title of Ghani.

Took part in all important battles, except Badr, when he was nursing his dying wife, Hazrat Ruqayya.
Second person after Hazrat Umar to offer allegiance to Hazrat Abu Bakr as the first caliph.

Main attributes of his pesonality:

Eloquence and dignity, forgiveness even when able to wreak vengeance, generosity, modesty and nobility;
sincerity in friendship and giving advice, kindness and compassion to all people, zeal for his faith, fear of
the Lord and his devotion in Allah‘s worship.

Election as Caliph:
Hazrat Umar told the following people to choose the next caliph from among themselves:

I) Hazrat Ali
II) Hazrat Usman
III) Hazrat Zubair bin Awwam
IV) Hazrat Abdur Rehman bin Auf

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V) Hazrat Talha
VI) Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqqas

Hazrat Abdur Rehman bin Auf was not willing to shoulder the responsibilities of being a caliph and Hazrat
Talha was not in Madina at the time of Hazrat Umar‘s death.

Hazrat Abdur Rehman bin Auf agreed to act as a judge in the choosing of the next caliph.

After having consulted with the contestants, prominent Companions and the populace, he determined that
the majority favored Hazrat Usman.

Hazrat Abdur Rehman bin Auf and all the other contestants took the Bayt at the hands of Hazrat Usman.

Thus, Hazrat Usman was selected as the 3rd Caliph on 4 Muharram, 24 AH.

Conquests in the East and West:

Most foreign rulers thought that it would be easy to wrest control of territories from the kind-hearted
Hazrat Usman. There were several serious uprisings in Persia in the East and Byzantine in the West.

Within the 1st year of his caliphate, he swiftly crushed these rebellions.

During his reign, the whole of North Africa was conquered, including the present countries of Libya,
Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

The island of Cyprus was also captured.

Thus, by Hazrat Usman‘s reign, the Muslim Empire stretched from Morocco to Kabul.

Causes of the revolt against Hazrat Usman:

The Islamic State contained many tribes and nationalities which had been subjugated. Although some of
them had accepted Islam, they still grudged their defeat and Islam had not imbibed their hearts.

The Jews who had lost their religious and social importance conspired against Islam.

When Hazrat Usman learnt of the activities of these conspirators, he expelled them from Kufa and Basra.

These conspirators widened their sphere of activity. Especially in Egypt, where a number of Jews who had
only outwardly accepted Islam joined hands with them One of these Jews, Abdullah bin Saba, instigated
Muslims in the name of Hazrat Ali in Kufa, Basra, Madina and Egypt and sowed the seeds of dissension
amongst them.

Rivalry in the Quraish themselves, i.e. between the Hashimites and Umayyads weakened the power of
Hazrat Usman. Old tribal jealousies began to raise their head.

Hazrat Usman‘s leniency encouraged his enemies.

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Charges against Hazrat Usman:

Nepotism (favouritism):

It was alleged that Hazrat Usman appointed his inefficient relatives as governors in four provinces out of
the twelve in the Muslim State, i.e. Egypt, Syria, Kufa and Basra.

Governor Province Relation with Usman Remarks

Able ruler and excellent
Muawiya Syria administrator.
Foster brother N. Africa conquered under
Abdullah bin Saad Egypt his rule

Walid bin Uqba Kufa Close relation Replaced Saad bin Abi
Waqqas when he could not
control the situation.
Conducted successful
campaigns in Armenia and
Azerbaijan. Was deposed at
public agitation, in public
interest.

Abdullah bin Amir Basra Cousin Replaced Abu Musa Ashari

at the demand of the
people of Basra. Conquered
Fars, Seestan and Khusaran.
Leniency:

It is also alleged that Hazrat Usman was weak and did not exercise a check on his governors.

Actually, he had his governors in confidence and they enjoyed much independence from the center.

He did not wish to interfere in their day-to-day affairs.

Burning of old copies of the Holy Quran:

Rebels raised hue and cry that Hazrat Usman had maliciously burnt copies of the Quran.Hazrat Usman
answered each and every one of the rebels‘ charges in the presence of Hazrat Ali and some Companions;
they were satisfied.

The rebels stuck to their point-of-view and prepared to march on Madina from Egypt, Kufa and Basra, with
a contingent of 1,000 men coming from each region. Finding the people of Madina ready to defend their
city disappointed the rebels.

Hazrat Ali tried to argue with them and they finally agreed to turn back if Hazrat Usman would appoint
Muhammad bin Abu Bakr as governor of Egypt in place of Abdullah bin Saad.

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Martyrdom of Hazrat Usman:

The rebels returned 4 days later, shouting for revenge.

They claimed that they had intercepted an order of Hazrat Usman to the governor of Egypt to kill
Muhammad bin Abu Bakr and his companions upon their arrival.

Hazrat Usman swore that he had sent no such order. The rebels told Hazrat Usman to abdicate or he would
be disposed. When Hazrat Usman refused, they besieged his house and cut off all supplies of food and
water.

Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Zubair deputed their sons to protect Hazrat Usman and bring him food and water.
Hazrat Usman refused all offers of military help as he did not want to shed Muslim blood. The siege lasted
for 50 days.

Some rebels scaled the back walls of Hazrat Usman‘s house, jumped in and mercilessly killed him while he
was reading the Holy Quran. When Hazrat Usman‘s wife, Naila, tried to save him, she was pushed away
and her fingers were cut off. This tragic event took place on 18 Zil-Haj, 35 AH.

Hazrat Usman‘s martyrdom shattered Muslim unity and serious differences arose between the Muslims
who were now divided into two parties – the Hashimites and the Umayyads.

Administration:

 Followed the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)

 Relaxed the strict laws of Hazrat Umar.
 Allowed Arabs to acquire lands in conquered areas.
 Made extensions to the Masjid-e-Nabwi and constructed new mosques.
 Ordered construction of inns, border-outposts and guesthouses.
 Made arrangement to supply travellers with water by having wells dug near roads.
 Built dam to protect Madina from floods coming from the side of Khyber.
 Raised the salaries of officers and the armed forces.
 Rendered great service to Islam by standardizing the Quran.

Summary
Introduction

Among the Ashab the holy prophet (s.a.w) loved the most, the name of Uthman can be cited. He loved him
so much that he gave him 2 of his daughters in marriage and told him that if he had more he would have
agreed to marry them off of him to Uthman.

Life before acceptance of Islam

He was the son of the father Affan and the mother Arwa. Born in Macca in the 6th year of elephant, he was
5 years younger than the Holy Prophet (s.a.w). They were related through the common ancestor Abd
Manaf. As from his formal education, he was able to read and write Arabic language. He was much
learned, intelligent, wise (wisdom) and studious. In addition he was a successful trader and was always

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polite with his customers and business partners. Well before his conversion to Islam, he was a pious man.
He never indulged in polytheism and idol worshipping. He was among the Hanif.

Life after acceptance of Islam

He embraced Islam at the demand of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). He was a very tender hearted person. He would
cater for the needy, destitute, low class and the poor. He would always come to the help of the
persecuted. He was among those who could do anything to help and succour their friends, relatives and
even strangers. He was easily moved by the sufferings of others. He was among those early Muslims who
suffered persecutions at the hands of the Quraish. He thus went to Abyssinia. He got married to two of the
prophet‘s (s.a.w) daughters – Kulthum and Ruqayyaah. He was thus known as Dhun Nurain. According to
hadith it is said that if the prophet had 40 daughters, he would get them married to hazrat Uthman. The
prophet wanted to show how excellent was Uthman towards his wives and his excellence in morality. He
was among those ashab given the title of Jannati by the prophet. Uthman was deeply rooted in religion and
spirituality that he used to spend most of his nights in Ibaadah and remembrance of Allah. The holy Qur‘an
became his weapon against all his problems whether financial, social or spiritual. Reading the Qur‘an was
the blessing in which Uthman dedicated his life. He was not able to participate in all battles of the prophet
due to illness of Ruqayyah at Madina. Nevertheless he was always among the first to spend his wealth and
property in the way of Allah and Jihad.

Life of Caliphate and Achievements

After the death Of Umar – killed by Abu Lulu known as Firoz, there was a panel from which the new caliph
would be chosen. The following names can be mentioned: Hazrat Ali, Uthman, Zubair bin Awwam, Talha,
Abdur rahman bin Awf, Sa‘d bin Abi Waqqas. He was thus selected as Ameerul Mu‘mineen. He continued
with the same administrative measures as the 2 previous caliphs, but he was a bit relaxed on the
restrictions imposed on people and consequences when going against the Shari‘ah. He ordered the
construction of inns for foreigners, border-out-posts for consolidating the borders, guest houses and
supply of water for travellers. There were wells on the sides of roads (routes) and dam was built to protect
Macca and Madina from flood. He raised salaries of officers and armed forces. He increased allowance paid
to people by 25%. He helped in the spreading of Islam till India. He deputed teachers for the spreading of
Islam. He embarked in the recompilation of the Qur‘an.

Due to the problems between the Yemenite and Syrian armies on dialects of the Qur‘an, he burned all
circulating copies of the Qur‘an, made 7 copies to be distributed to 7 different parts of the world. He made
different conquests to the whole of North Africa, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, the Island of Cyprus and
Hijaz. In this way he crushed down all revolts and differences in the Qur‘anic dialects. This move was much
appreciated by the people of the whole Islamic kingdom, even the Khawarij. During his khilafat he ensured
a constant level of morality but due to internal rebellions he was not able to cope with all problems.
According to historians, he was considered too weak or rather too good at heart to contain all the
problems of his reign. Hazrat Uthman was so pious that he did not dare to wage war or insult any
individual living in this community, both Muslims and non-Muslims. He was always ready to help and
upgrade the level and welfare of his people not leaving the poor to themselves. During his reign education
flourished and great deal of spirituality spread throughout the land. However, people did not recognise
and appreciate his effort.

Problems he faced

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When he came to power, he wanted to make some changes in the posts of his government. He wanted to
place his trusted men for a better control and to crush all problems. He did never want to give any favour
to any member of his family, but instead, he was accused of appointing inefficient relatives as governors
and he was so weak at commanding his people. He was also accused of his wrong and bad administrative
measures of replacing already existing governors and that he did not check his newly appointed officers.
He was charged of all the problems emerging in his dominion. He was accused of being too tender hearted
towards those breaching the Shari‘ah. He took lesser decisions against them. The greatest accusation was
that he burned down the words and message of Allah – the Qur‘an. Some of the rebellious persons
accused him of corruption and upsurging the right of his people and money from the Bait-ul-Maal. All these
accusations came from the Khawarij.

Death of Hazrat Uthman

Uthman made use of only one weapon. It was his kind and soft words. The Khawarij wanted him to step
down from caliphate. But Uthman did not want to become the reason of any civil war in his period. He
went to the roof of his house several times and spoke to the rioters. He told them how close he had been
to the Holy Prophet. He reminded them what services he had rendered to Islam. But his words fell on deaf
ears. Nothing could stop the rioters from mischief.

As the day of Haj grew near, the rioters' anxiety grew. In a few days hundreds of men would be back from
Haj, they knew. Help from provinces might also arrive. They had to put through their plot without delay or
it would be too late. They had to act quickly.

Uthman's house was very big. Hasan, Husain, Muhammad bin Talha and Abdullah bin Zubair stood guard at
the main gate. The rioters had no wish to cross swords with these men. That would draw the kinsmen of
these men into the fight. To avoid this, a part of rioters stealthily jumped over the back wall of the house,
and rushed towards where the aged Caliph was. The guards at the main gate knew nothing about what was
going on inside.

Uthman was sitting with the Holy Book open before him. He was reciting the Qur'an. Muhammad bin Abu
Bakr was leading the party of assassins. He got hold of the Caliph's beard and pulled it. "My dear nephew,"
said Usman, looking into Muhammad's eyes, "if your father had been alive, he would not have liked this
conduct of yours." The young man was cut to the quick and turned back.

Then another man hit the Caliph on the head with an axe. The third struck him with a sword. Naila, the
faithful wife of Uthman, had her fingers cut off in trying to shield her husband. Then all the rioters fell upon
the aged Caliph. They inflicted several wounds on his body. One of them, Amr bin Hamq by name, cut off
his head.

The news of Usman's cruel murder came as a rude shock to everybody. Ali was stunned when he heard of
it. He rushed to Medina. "Where were you?" he rebuked his sons, Hasan and Husain, "when the
Commander of the Faithful was murdered?"

Similarly, he was angry with Abdullah bin Zubair and others who stood guard at the gate. Usman was
murdered on Friday, the 17th of Dhul Hijja, 35 A.H. He served the Ummah for a period of 12 years.

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