Uthman ibn Affan (radiAllahu anhu)

Abdullaah in 'Umar said: "We used to compare the people as to who was better during the lifetime of Allaah’s messenger (sallallahu alyhi wasallam) . We used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then ‘Umar, and then ‘Uthman." [Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 57, no. 7]

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“Uthmaan used to offer the people fine food, then he would go into his own house and eat vinegar & olive oil.”

 [Taareekh al-Islaamee (48/17)]

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Clarification

Asalaamualaykum wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh,

We would like to make clear that this blog does not support ISIS/the beliefs of the deviant Islamic sect the Khawaarij [See leaflet – A Warning Against ISIS & the Correct Islamic Position Concerning Terror Groups]. 

We felt it imperative to make this information known as unfortunately there are a number of blogs on Tumblr that promote deviated ideologies and the actions of those who commit heinous crimes in the name of Islam. For this reason it is important for us to make our stance absolutely clear.

May Allaah guide us all toward what is correct and enable us to good in His way. Ameen.

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Sermon of Uthman on Guidance before Death

It is reported that ʿUthmān bin ʿAffān (Allāh be pleased with him) once addressed the people in a sermon. He praised Allāh, then said:

O people! Fear Allāh and obey Him, for piety is a valuable prize. Verily the most intelligent person is he who takes account of himself and works for what comes after death, and acquires through the light (guidance) of Allāh a light for the darkness of the grave.

The servant of Allāh should fear lest Allāh the Mighty and Sublime resurrects him blind though he used to see. A few comprehensive words can be enough for a wise man, whereas the deaf (who does not listen to guidance) is being called from afar.

And know that whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is with has nothing to fear; but whoever Allāh the Mighty and Sublime is against, then in whom can he hope after Allāh?!

[Abū Bakr Al-Daynūrī, Al-Mujālasah wa Jawāhir Al-ʿIlm 4:116,117].

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The impermissibility of defending those who accuse Uthmaan (رضي الله عنه) of innovation

By Al-'Allamah Shaykh Saalih al-Luhaidan (may Allaah preserve him)

Question 1: Should an individual defend a person who says that Uthmaan has innovated in the religion and is persistent even after being advised?

Answer: The individual who speaks ill of Uthmaan is a deviant from amongst the deviants. For verily Uthmaan is from the rightly guided khulafa, in which the Prophet (ﷺ) said "upon you is my sunnah and the sunnah of my rightly guided khulafa, hold on to it with your molar teeth" and likewise the Prophet (ﷺ) said "the khulafa (or the rulership) after me is 30 years" and this ended after Ali ibn Abi Taalib along with the time of Al-Hassan, when Al-Hassan gave the rulership to Muawiyah. After that, then this period of rulership ended. Likewise the Prophet (ﷺ) informed that Uthmaan is from the people of Jannah. So the individual who speaks ill of Uthmaan after knowing that the Prophet (ﷺ) praised him and informed that he would enter Jannah then this individual has spoken ill of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Question 2: Is it permissible to befriend an individual who says that Uthmaan innovated in the religion?

Answer: It is not permissible. The individual who has the courage to accuse the companions or this companion of the Prophet (ﷺ) - the one who the Prophet (ﷺ) said is from the people of Jannah, and likewise when Uthmaan did some righteous deeds the Prophet (ﷺ) said “there is no fault upon Uthmaan after today”, and likewise during the oath of Ridwaan, Uthmaan wasn’t present so the Prophet (ﷺ) gave the oath on his behalf. All of this for Uthmaan. So the individual who says that Uthmaan has innovated something, and this individual still wants to be held in good light with he people, then he is not held that way. If the individual is ignorant then he should be taught and if the individual claims to have knowledge then his knowledge is doubted.

[Questions taken from audio of 'Aqeedatul Waasitiyyah Class 18 (Translated by Mustafa George DeBerry (may Allaah preserve him)]

(Audio Recordings Here)

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Uthman ibn ‘Affaan (رضي الله عنه)

Born six years after the year of the elephant (‘Aam al-Feel), ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him, belonged to a well-reputed and honourable family of Makkah in the period of Jahiliyyah, Banu Umayyah, a branch of the tribe of Quraysh. His ancestral pedigree joins with that of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him in the fifth generation. His father’s name is ‘Uthmaaan Ibn ‘Affaan Ibn Abi Al-‘Aas Ibn Ummayyah Ibn ‘Abd Shams Ibn ‘Abd Manaaf. His mother’s name is Arwa Bint Kurayz.

'Uthmaan was one of the few persons in Makkah who learned how to read and write at an early age, and as a young man became a successful merchant and businessman. Of all his contemporaries, he was a venerable man of overrated virtue and outstanding attributes. Though he was extremely wealthy and of high rank, he was always noted for his modesty and humbleness. Even before landing on the safe shore of Islam, he was a soft natured and kind hearted man; he used to help the needy and the poor-stricken, and did not hesitate to spend any amount of money on seeing a man in trouble in order to remove his misery. For his lofty morals and decent way of expression, the Makkans had great respect for him. It is also said that he never wronged anyone, nor did anything obscene, or prostrated himself before idols in Jahiliyyah. 'Uthmaan, may Allaah be pleased with him, was among the early converts to Islam. He and Abu Bakr were close friends, and it was Abu Bakr who convinced him to embrace Islam, when the latter was thirty-four years of age. Kharijite insurgents were plotting to assassinate and murder 'Uthmaan. When the period of Hajj was over and support came from Madeenah in favour of the Caliph, this made things difficult for the insurgents. So they decided on this ground to execute their mission immediately before things got out of hand and before they were overpowered by the allied forces supporting the Caliph. They tried to break into the Caliph’s house, but failed because of the resistance of the Ansaar and the Muhajireen. Then the insurgents decided to burn 'Uthmaan’s house. They climbed the walls and attacked him while he was reciting the Glorious Qur’an silently. Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr did not hurt the caliph, but Al-Ghafiqi Ibn Harb immediately hit 'Uthmaan with an axe he was holding. Then another one struck him with his sword. On seeing this ugly scene, the Caliph's wife, Naa’ilah tried to protect him, but the sword chopped off her fingers. One of the insurgents ultimately put an end to the Caliphs life by striking him. The insurgents robbed the Caliph’s house and Baitul-Maal. This event took place on Friday, 18th Dhul-Hijjah, 35 A.H (656 AC). These evil men only allowed the people to bury the Commander of the Faithful in secret. Then his decent and clean body was finally laid to rest at night and his burial was attended by a few mourners. This unfortunate and painful incidence brought to an end to the life of the third Rightly-Guided Caliph, ‘Uthmaan Ibn ‘Affaan, at 80 years of age. It was undoubtedly an abundant life of one of the revered Companions, one of the pious early Muslims who strove in Allaah’s cause with his soul, money and his utmost service and self-sacrifice. To justify this event was nothing but pain felt by all the Muslims. Its effect is still remembered in the Muslim world today. [Biographies of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, prepared from the works of Ibn Katheer, At-Tabari, As-Suyooti, and other historians, Dar Al-Manarah]

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I lived at the time of ‘Uthmaan and there was not a single Muslim who did not have a right to the wealth of Allaah [i.e. the bayt al-maal].

'Urwah bin az-Zubayr (rahimahullaah) [Al-Musannaf fil-Hadeeth, 3/1023]

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'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas (radiAllaahu 'anhu) recited the verse: "And Allah presents an example of two men, one of them dumb and unable to do a thing, while he is a burden to his guardian. Wherever he directs him, he brings no good. Is he equal to one who commands justice, while he is on a straight path" (Soorah An Nahl, 16:76) Then he said, "Such a man was ‘Uthmaan."

[Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 2/579]

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Take note of the fact that I am a follower (of the religion) and not an innovator.

Uthman ibn Affan (radiAllaahu anhu) [Ibn Jareer (Vol. 3 pg.446] (via uthmanibnaffan)

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Had our hearts been pure, we would never tire with the Dhikr of Allaah.

Uthman ibn Affan (radiAllaahu anhu) [Ibn Mubarak in his Zuhd] (via uthmanibnaffan)

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Uthman ibn Affan (radiAllaahu anhu) would stand behind Maqaam Ibraheem where he would recite the entire Qur'aan in a single rakaah of his witr salaah.

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Enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil before the worst amongst you are given authority over you and then when even the best of you make dua against them, their duas will not be accepted.

Uthman ibn Affan [Ibn Abi Shaybah]

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If anyone stumbles then he must repent. If anyone errs then he must repent. And no one must insist on (the path of) destruction. If anyone insists on tyranny then he is far away from the path

Uthman ibn Affan (radiAllaahu anhu) [Bidayah Wan Nihayah] (via uthmanibnaffan)

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I ask Allaah for forgiveness if I have done wrong, and I have already forgiven if I have been wronged by other.

[Tareekh Khaleefah ibn Khayyat (pg. 171)] (via uthmanibnaffan)

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For indeed the dispraising of the best of generations, those of whom accompanied the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is a dispraise of the Messenger (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam).

Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimaullaah) [Majmoo' al-Fataawa,(vol. 4, page 429)]

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“Uthmaan used to offer the people fine food, then he would go into his own house and eat vinegar & olive oil.”

 [Taareekh al-Islaamee (48/17)]

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The Defense of the Noble Sahaba for 'Uthman (radiAllaahu 'anhu)

The grand Companions participated in defending Uthman, and they declared their anger for his murder. Abdul Rahman bin Layla said,

“I saw Ali holding up his hands and saying, ‘O Allah, I declare to you my innocence from participating in the murder of Uthman.’”

[Virtues of the Companions, by Ahmed bin Hanbal 1/452]

Omayrah bin Sa’ad said,

“We were with Ali on the shores of Ephrates when we saw a ship with rising sails. Ali said, ‘Allah almighty says, “And His are the Ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains,” (55, 25) I swear by the One who made the ships sail in one sea of His seas that I did not kill Uthman nor did I encourage his killing.’”

[Virtues of the Companions, 1/458]

Jabbir bin Abdullah said,

“Ali sent a letter to Uthman saying, ‘I have 500 man, so give me the permission to defend you from these people, otherwise things would happen that they would kill you.’ Uthman answered, ‘May Allah reward you for your good intentions, but I do not want blood to be shed for my cause.’”

[Tareekh Damascus, p. 403]

Moreover, the sons of Ali and the sons of the Companions participated in the defense of Uthman. Muhamed bin Sireen said,

“Al-Hasan, Al-Hussain, Ibn Omar, Ibn Al-Zubair, and Marwan rushed to the house of Uthman raising their swords. Uthman told them.

‘I order you to go back home, put your swords in their shields, and stay at home.’”

[Tareekh Khaleefah Al-Khayyat, p.174]  

[Excerpted from article by Amir Sulaiman]

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The Fitna of the Khawaarij during the Khilafah of Uthman

On the authority of Nafi` that 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنهما said:

"'Uthmaan (Ibn 'Affaan رضي الله عنه) consulted me when he was under siege, he said: ‘What is your opinion about what al-Mugheerah bin al-Akhnas* رضي الله عنه has said?’

I asked: ‘What did he say?’

'Uthmaan said: ‘He (al-Mugheerah) said: These people (i.e. the Khawaarij) want you give up this matter (i.e. the Khilaafah) and that you handover the matter to them.’  

[In the narration of Ibn Sa`d it is that `Uthmaan said: ‘They want me to give up (the Khilaafah). And if I do, they will let me live and if I don’t they will kill me.’]

I said: ‘Do you see that by handing it over to them, will you live forever in this world?’

He said: ‘No!’

I said: ‘If you do not do this, can they do anything more than to kill you?’

He said: ‘No!’

I said: ‘Do they own the Paradise and the Hellfire?’

He said: ‘No!’

I said: ‘I do not see any reason for you to introduce this matter (of giving up the rulership) in the religion, so that whenever they (the people) are discontent with the ruler that they remove him. So do not give up the dress (i.e. the Khilaafah) which Allaah عز وجل dressed you with.’”

[Imaam Ahmad mentioned it in “Fadhaail al-Sahaabah” (No. 767, pg. 1/473) and Ibn Sa`d in Tabaqaat al-Kubraa (3/66)]

* Al-Mugheerah bin al-Akhnas رضي الله عنه was a companion. His mother Khaalidah was the aunt of 'Uthmaan رضي الله عنه. He resembled 'Uthmaan رضي الله عنه in appearance and died defending him when the Khawaarij surrounded 'Uthmaan’s house and attacked it. In Usud al-Ghaabah it is mentioned that when the Khawaarij burned down the door to `Uthmaan’s house, al-Mugheerah said to `Uthmaan:

“By Allaah! Lest the people say that we have betrayed you”,

Then he picked up his sword and went charging against the Khawaarij.

2. Saalim reported from him father, 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنهما that he said:

“One of the people from al-Ansaar came to me during the Caliphate of 'Uthmaan رضي الله عنه and spoke with me; and he wanted me to speak out against 'Uthmaan, and he spoke for a long time. He was a man with a heavy tongue (i.e. he didn’t speak clearly) and it was difficult for me to understand him with ease.

So when he finished his talk, I said to him: ‘We used to say this when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was still alive: ‘The most virtuous people from the Ummah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم after him were Abu Bakr, then 'Umar, then 'Uthmaan’, and by Allaah! We do not know that 'Uthmaan has killed anyone unjustly (so that we can retaliate against him) nor did he commit any major sin. Rather it is this wealth (which you are after), if he gives it to you, you become pleased. And if he gives it to his near ones you become dissatisfied. Rather you want to behave like the Persians and the Romans, who do not find a ruler except that they kill him.’

Then the man’s eyes overflowed with tears and he said: ‘O Allaah! We do not want that.’ (i.e. he repented from speaking against 'Uthmaan).”

[Abu Bakr bin al-Khallaal in his “al-Sunnah” (No. 546, pg. 1/386)]