Uthman ibn Affaan (RA)

📰 Biography

• Full Name: Uthman ibn Affaan

• Titles: al Ghani

• Father: Affan ibn Ai al-'As

• Mother: Araw bint Kurayz

• Birth: 579 CE

• Death: 656 CE

• Length of Rule: 12 years

❓ Before Accepting Islam

Conversion

• He converted at the hands of Abu Bakr;

• Was the third male convert;

• His family deserted him after his conversion;

• He was married to the prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah soon after;

• Amongst the first group to migrate to Abyssinia.

🌟 Uthman during the Prophet's Lifetime

• Uthman belonged to the powerful clan of Banu Umayya of the Quraish.

• He was modest and honest since his childhood and abstained from corrupt practices such as gambling and drinking even before Islam.

• 'Uthman was one of the earliest Muslims.
  • Accepted Islam at the hands of Abu Bakr

• He was a trader and soon became a wealthy person.
  • He gave his wealth to help Islam, e.g. by buying a well near Medina for the Muslims.

• He married the Prophet's daughter Ruqayya.

• He faced persecution in Makkah and migrated to Abyssinia along with his wife with the first batch of emigrants.
  • He remained there for some years and then returned to Makkah.

• As the persecutions increased he again migrated with his wife, this time to Medina.

• He actively participated in all the battles led by the Prophet except Badr, due to the illness of his wife Ruqayya, and was excused.

• When Ruqayya died he married the Prophet's daughter Umm Kulthum.
  • Called Zun Nurain – possessor of two lights

• He would purchase a slave from his master and set him free on every Friday.

• Paid for the extension of Mosque of the Prophet

• He was a scribe for the Prophet.

• He acted as the Prophet's ambassador during Treat of Hudaybiyyah
  • He was sent to Makkah to hold talks with the Quraish, but a rumour was spread of his murder, as he had to stay longer than expected.
  • The Prophet on hearing the news took a pledge from his companions to avenge Uthman’s blood.
  • This historic pledge was known as Bait al-Ridwan.
  • Uthman returned safe, but the whole episode reflects his importance and the Prophet’s love for him.

• He made a contribution towards the costs of the Tabuk expedition.
  • At Tabuk, ‘Uthman supplied the army with nine hundred and forty camels, and sixty horses. He also brought ten thousand dinars to equip the army.

• He bought a well and donated it to be used by the rich, poor and travellers

• The Prophet used to pray:

  ‘’O God! I am pleased with Uthman. I beseech (beg) you to be pleased with him.’’

• Modesty was his most prominent feature and the Holy Prophet once said:

  ‘’Even the angels of God envy the modesty of Uthman’’.

• Rode near the Prophet at Conquest of Makkah.

• He was chosen to escort the Prophet's wives at the farewell pilgrimage.

👑 Uthman as a Caliph

🗳 Nomination

• Before the death of ‘Umar he had appointed a panel of six men to choose a caliph from amongst them and then their choice was to be confirmed through bay’ah by the Muslim population.

• The panel, which was instructed to make the choice in three days included ‘Uthman, ‘Ali, Sa’d bin Abi Waqas, Talha, Zubayr and Abdul Rahman bin ‘Auf.
  • Umar’s choice was Abdul Rahman but he was not willing to shoulder the responsibility.
  • Talha was not in Medina so the choice was now restricted to the remaining four.

• Despite long meetings the panel could not arrive at a decision, Abdur Rahman than withdrew his name and it was decided that he would make the final decision regarding the selection.

• ‘Uthman and ‘Ali proposed each other’s name whereas Zubayr and Sa’d put forward ‘Uthman's name.

• He asked the opinion of other prominent men as well and came to the conclusion that the majority favoured Uthman.

• After more consultation Abdur Rahman gave his decision in favour of ‘Uthman and was the first to take bay’ah on his hand and was followed by all the other Muslims in the mosque.

• He became the 3rd Caliph on the 4th of Muharram 24 AH.

🔥 Civil Unrest against Uthman (651-656)

• During the last years of his Caliphate, he faced serious difficulties that eventually led to his martyrdom in 35 AH.

• He was a very gentle and soft-hearted person. The people who wanted to create chaos among Muslims took advantage of his soft nature.

• Umar was a very strict administrator and the machinery of the government worked smoothly in his time.

• Uthman used to overlook the minor faults of the appointed Amils, provincial heads as well as the new converts.
  • They took an advantage of his leniency and rebelled against him.

• Abdullah bin Saba, a Yemenite Jew who outwardly accepted Islam, embarked on a subtle campaign of creating dissension (conflict) among the Muslims.
  • He and his followers established their headquarters in Egypt and began to circulate forged letters that complaints against the Caliph, his governors and other state officials.
  • Efforts were made to highlight the long-forgotten rivalry between Banu Hashim and Banu Umayya.
  • Uthman did not take timely action against him.

• Even some of the noblest actions of his were misprojected before the public; for example, the standardization of the Quran and the expansion of the compound of the Kaabah.

⚔ Main Charges Against Uthman

1. Personal issues from the time before he was caliph (his absence from some battles and other events)

• Absence from the Battle of Badr, and fleeing the Battle of Uhud.

2. His financial policies - stipends and lands set aside for grazing

• He allocated the wealth amassed in the campaigns to the governors rather than dividing it between the fighting men themselves;
  • e.g: The granting of a fifth of war booty to his cousin Marwan ibn Hakam;

• Spending from the public treasury on his relatives;

3. His executive administrative policies: appointment of his relatives and his way of selecting governors

• Appointment of relatives and clan members in important posts of government (Nepotism);
  • One of the main allegations against him was that he had appointed his inefficient relatives as governors. There were 12 provinces in the country and he appointed his relatives in 4: Egypt, Syria, Kufa and Basra.
    • However, All the governors appointed by him were people of great calibre.
      • Mu'awiyyah, a relative of his, was appointed by Umar as the governor of Syria and Uthman let him continue his job because he was doing it well.
      • Abdullah bin Saad, his foster brother, was appointed governor of Egypt also by Umar.
      • Uthman appointed Sa'ad bin Abi Waqqas as governor of Kufa. When he was unable to control the situation there, he was replaced by Walid bin Uqba (Uthman’s foster brother) who proved his worth.
      • Abu Musa al-Ashari was deposed at the demand of the people of Basra and replaced by Abdullah bin Amir (Uthman’s cousin) according to the wishes of the people. He proved very successful.
  • Thus, none of the governors appointed by him proved a failure.

• Leniency shown to his relatives in both their personal and professional conduct;
  • It was also alleged that he was too lenient and did not keep a check on his governors.
    • He, unlike Umar, gave the governors a free hand in running the provinces and did not interfere in their day to day affairs.

• Some thought that he was surrounded by people who gave bad advice and took advantage of his age;

4. Fiqhi matters based on his ijtihad or the interests of the ummah (offering the prayer in full in Mina, compiling the Qur'sn, expanding the mosque)

• Burning of the copies of the Qur’an
  • His burning of the Qur’an was seen by some as destroying God’s Word.
  • This was done after consultation with the other companions and it was a great service that he rendered to Islam.

5. His dealings with some of the Sahlibah: 'Ammar, Abu Dharr, Ibn Mas’ood.

• Abu Dharr moved away from Medina as part of 'Uthman's suggestions.

🔥 Rebellion

• Three columns of men left their garrison cities (Basra, Kufa and Egypt) apparently for pilgrimage.

• Finally, in 35 AH troops from all three provinces arrived at Medina to take their complaints directly to the Caliph.

• Upon reaching Madina they set up camp, they were armed.

• The rebels sent their deputations to the three most respected members of the inner council of Companions still alive.

• He gave a convincing reply to each of the charges in the presence of the Prophet’s companions. His explanation was accepted.

• 'Uthman also sent 'Ali ibn Abi Talib to negotiate with the rebels from the provinces.

⚰ Death

• The rebels were on their way home when they got hold of a letter supposedly from 'Uthman to the governor of Egypt to have the leaders of the group put to death on their return.

• The unrest against ‘Uthman finally resulted in the rebels surrounding his house.

• They returned to Medina after four days shouting for revenge.

• They laid siege to his house by hundreds and did not allow food and water to reach him.

• When after a long siege the rebels received the news that an elite force dispatched from Syria was 120 km away from Madina they decided to act.

• ‘Uthman had instructed his household not to resist the rebels as he was their only target and they meekly laid down their arms.

• They attacked ‘Uthman’s house that was bravely defended by Hassan, Husain, Muhammad and Muhammad (Ali, Zubayr and Talha’s sons) who were wounded.
  • Some companions who were successful in reaching him, wanted to help him and fight the rebels or send for the army.
  • But 'Uthman refused saying that he did not want to shed Muslim blood.

• The siege lasted for 50 days and finally some rebels jumped into his house,
  • ‘Uthman was alone in his room with his wife Naila reading the Qur’an when the rebel’s sword blade pierced him.
    • The copy of that particular Quran still exists with his blood on it.
  • As his body lay on the ground one of the assassins pierced his shirt nine times and his wife Naila threw herself on him to protect his body from any further indignity.

• He died on Friday, 18th of Zul Hijjah 35 AH.

What were the consequences of ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA)’s murder? [10]

In answer to this question candidates could simply say that:

• ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA)’s murder led to Hazrat Ali (RA)’s controversial election, supported by rebels from the provinces and the Ansar and divided the umma.
  • This struggle placed Islam in conflict that outlived Hazrat Ali (RA)’s caliphate.

• Many Quraysh left Madina and moved back to Makka which became their power base. Some who had sworn allegiance to Hazrat Ali (RA) reneged on their oath and the Umayyads, in particular Hazrat Mu’awiya (RA), called for avenging the murder of ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA). The rebels in turn who had attacked ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA) demanded the reversal of his policies which they said were contrary to Islamic principles.

• Hazrat Ali (RA) took some quick measures demanded by the opponents of ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA) and changed the governors appointed by his predecessor with those who supported him and distributed the wealth that both Hazrat Umar (RA) and ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA) had kept aside.

• However, his slow response against the murderers of ‘Hazrat Uthman (RA) led to strong reactions which led to the first civil wars in Islam e.g. the battles of Camel and Siffin.

• The above is a guidance of what examiners might find in the answers, candidates will need to refer to some of the above points in their answer and development of them will earn them the higher levels e.g. some candidates could mention the battles of the civil wars in some detail.

What it tells us about Uthman's Character

• It was a great tragedy with far reaching consequences. It marked the start of sectarianism among the Muslims.

• His murder reflected the growing strength of anti-Islamic forces that had long been busy in hatching conspiracies against the Muslim community secretly. The same conspirators would create difficulties for the 4th Caliph, Ali.

• The event also reflected the gentle disposition and simple mindedness of Uthman who didn’t take any action against the rebels on the ground that he did not want to shed Muslim blood.

🥇 Uthman's Achievements

1) Expansion of the Caliphate

• He did a lot for the consolidation and establishment of the military on firm grounds and went on to expand on the territory that was left to him by Umar by conquering:

• The army moved in all directions and for the first time in Islamic history, utilized naval power.
  • During his Caliphate, for the first time a fleet of nearly 500 ships was built to fight with the Byzantines on the Mediterranean Sea.

• His earliest focus was the Persian Empire in the East.
  • Khurasan, Merv, Tus, Sarakhs and then Khwarazm were captured in 650 CE.

• In North Africa, Libya, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were conquered by the middle of the 7th century.

• Armenia and Azerbaijan also came under Muslim control and with the advancement in naval warfare he even conquered Cyprus.

2) Administration

1. Pronvincial Changes

• He brought about administrative changes in some areas
  • e.g. Jordan and Palestine were united into one province Syria.

2. Division of Power

• He continued with ‘Umar’s policy of gradually splitting up the immense authority exercised by the provincial governors, who also doubled as army commanders.

• He did this by creating the new post of financial administrators who exclusively looked after tax revenue.

• To improve administration he divided the power and set up a new department of police. He did keep a strict watch on governors and other administrators,
  • e.g. Sa'ad bin Abi Waqas drew money from the bait ul maal and did not return it for which he was deposed by ‘Uthman.
  • However he overlooked simple mistakes of his governors.

• He established a permanent secretariat for the above task and appointed a salaried ‘Inspector of Markets’, which remained a key position in future Islamic states.

3. Economic Reforms

• He started his reign with a popular gesture by adding 100 dirhams to the annual stipends and at the same time began to increase the central government’s control over the affairs of the garrison cities.

• He launched a diligent inspection of accounts, started to overhaul the Diwan salary rolls and asked for the accounts and provisional surpluses to be forwarded to the treasury in Madina.

• He also relaxed the austere measures of living imposed by ‘Umar and allowed the Arabs to acquire lands in the conquered territories.

• He not only increased the income of the public treasury but spent more generously on the masses.

4. Public Works

• Many other Public works were carried out,
  • Embankments were constructed to protect the houses in Madina from being swept away by periodic floods;
  • Extension and provision for providing clean water to the population was undertaken;
  • He purchased land and constructed purpose-built markets whose rents were used to feed the poor;
  • Land was bought from funds of central treasury for state animals to pasture;
  • Construction of state stables and guesthouses for the use of travellers, messengers and poor pilgrims were set up;
  • He extended the Prophet’s mosque and built a port at Jeddah.
    • A dam was built to protect Medina from floods.

5. Majlis al-Shūra

• Majlis-e-Shoora or council of consultation was maintained.

• Held periodic conferences with his governors in order to keep himself informed of the conditions of the country.

• Used to hear public complaints after Friday prayers.

6. Spread of Islam

• He not only sent religious teachers to different tribes and cities but himself preached to the prisoners of war.
  • Is said to have sent religious teachers to India to spread Islam.

3) Standardisation of the Qur'an

• The greatest service he performed during his caliphate was the compilation of the Qur’an.

• In 651 C.E, the standardization of the Quran on the basis of Mushaf-e-Hafsa was done.
  • Recitation on the model of only this copy was allowed and the rest burnt.
  • Official copies dispatched to all provincial capitals.
  • Two of the original manuscripts of his time exist even today.