Uthman Ibn Affan (part 2 of 2)
- Categories: Stories of the Companions -
1] was
a man so loved by Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of
God be upon him, that he was called the possessor of two
lights. Uthman was married to Prophet Muhammad's daughter
Ruqiayah and when she died, he married Muhammad's other daughter,
Umm Kulthum, thus possessing the two lights.
Uthman ibn Affan was appointed Caliph (leader of the Muslim nation)
through a process of consultation and careful deliberation. On his
deathbed, Omar ibn Al Khattab appointed a council of six men to
choose a new leader. It was a time of confusion and chaos for the
Muslims, small disagreements were becoming obstacles. Some people
wanted to appoint Ali ibn Abu Talib because he was from Prophet
Muhammad's family, others wanted to appoint Uthman because he was
from one of the great tribes of Mecca. Ibn Kathir, the respected
Islamic scholar of the 14th century suggests that the leader of the
council, Abdu Rahman ibn Awf questioned both men and then chose
Uthman.
Abdurrahman asked Ali, "Do you swear to rule by the glorious book
of God (Quran) and the Sunnah (traditions) of His messenger?" To
which he replied, "I hope to act according to my best knowledge and
capacity". When Abdurrahman asked Uthman the same question, he
replied simply, "I do". It would be too simplistic to suggest that
the decision was made solely by the answer to this question but
rather it was part of a process of reflection and deliberation.
Both men were amongst several who were eminently qualified to lead
the Muslim nation. Uthman was a man known to be pious, generous,
and modest, perhaps his simple answer reflected his personality. A
shy man, who spoke few words but whose heart was filled with love
for God and His messenger.
Immediately after being elected, Uthman ibn Affan addressed the
people from the minbar previously used by Prophet Muhammad. He
looked at the Muslims and praised God, sent blessings upon Prophet
Muhammad, and reminded the people that this world was full of
deception. He advised the people to shun living luxurious lives and
to seek a place in the hereafter, full of happiness and
peace.
{And put forward to them the example
of the life of this world, it is like water (rain) which We send
down from the sky, and the vegetation of the earth mingles with it,
and becomes fresh and green. But (later) it becomes dry and broken
pieces, which the winds scatter. And God is Able to do everything.
Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world.
But the good righteous deeds (five compulsory prayers, deeds of
God's obedience, good and nice talk, remembrance of God with
glorification, praises and thanks, etc.), that last, are better
with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.}
[Quran 18: 45 - 46]
{وَاضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلَ الْحَيَاةِ
الدُّنْيَا كَمَاءٍ أَنزَلْنَاهُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ فَاخْتَلَطَ بِهِ
نَبَاتُ الْأَرْضِ فَأَصْبَحَ هَشِيمًا تَذْرُوهُ الرِّيَاحُ ۗ
وَكَانَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ مُّقْتَدِرًا
﴿٤٥﴾ الْمَالُ وَالْبَنُونَ زِينَةُ الْحَيَاةِ
الدُّنْيَا ۖ وَالْبَاقِيَاتُ الصَّالِحَاتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ
ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ أَمَلًا} [الكهف:45-٤٦]
Transliteration: Wa Ađrib Lahum Mathala Al-Ĥayāati
Ad-Dunyā Kamā'in 'Anzalnāhu Mina As-Samā'i Fākhtalaţa Bihi Nabātu
Al-'Arđi Fa'aşbaĥa Hashīmāan Tadhrūhu Ar-Riyāĥu Wa Kāna Allāhu
`Alá Kulli Shay'in Muqtadirāan (45) Al-Mālu Wa Al-Banūna
Zīnatu Al-Ĥayāati Ad-Dunyā Wa Al-Bāqiyātu Aş-Şāliĥātu Khayrun `Inda
Rabbika Thawābāan Wa Khayrun 'Amalāan
Uthman was a pious man who loved and trusted God completely, thus
his first action as leader was to assure the people that he would
guide them according to the way of the Prophet and Caliphs Abu Bakr
and Omar ibn Al Khattab. Uthman was turning 70 when he became
leader of the Muslims and for many years, he had refrained from the
pleasures of this life in order to seek nearness to God. After
setting a tone of piety and concern for Muslims that would be the
hallmark of his reign, Uthman turned his attention to giving
direction to the governors and the Muslim armies.
To the governors Uthman expressed his desire for them to serve the
people, and never to exploit them. He sent prominent companions of
Prophet Muhammad, as his personal deputies to the provinces to
scrutinize the conduct of officials and the condition of the
people. Uthman reminded the armies to follow the clear guidelines
set down by Omar ibn Al Khattab and asked them never to forget that
they were defending the believers. 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.
The Uthmani
Quran
After the death of Prophet Muhammad and during the time of the
Caliphs, hundreds of thousands of non-Arabs converted to Islam.
Consequently, the Quran began to be recited and written in various
different dialects and scripts. One of Prophet Mohammad's
companions, and Uthman's friend Hudhaifah, whilst on a journey
noticed that there were many different recitations of Quran
throughout the Muslim Empire. Hudhaifah suggested to Uthman that
there be an official version written in the style used in
Medina.
Uthman knew the Quran by heart and had intimate knowledge of the
context and circumstances relating to each verse. The Quran had
been gathered during the time of Abu Bakr and was in the
safekeeping of Prophet Muhammad's wife Hafsah. Uthman took
possession of the originals and ordered some of the most trusted
companions to make careful copies. He then ordered all other
unofficial copies to be burned or otherwise destroyed. Five
official copies were sent to the greatest cities of the Muslim
Caliphate. Original copies exist to this day in Tashkent,
Uzbekistan and the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey.
A Tragic
End
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.»[At
Tirmidhi]
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. 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]
{فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ
السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ} [البقرة:١٣٧]
Transliteration: Fasayakfīkahumu Allāhu Wa Huwa
As-Samī`u Al-`Alīmu
Such was the tragic end of one of the most pious, kind and selfless
men in Islam.
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Footnotes:
[1] Based on the work of Imam Ibn Kathir. The Rightly Guided
Caliphs.
By Aisha Stacey
IslamReligion.com
revised to agree with authentic
hadeeth