On the 18th of Dhul
Hijjah, 35th year of the Hijrah, the companion of our beloved Prophet (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam), Sayyiduna Usman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) was ruthlessly
martyred. He was the third Khalifah (caliph) amongst those known as the Khulafah
al-Rashideen. His patronymic (Kunyah) is Abu Amr. He is also known as Zun-Nurayn
(i.e. Possessor of two Lights), because the Noble Prophet gave two of his
honorable daughters' hands in marriage one after the other to the Honorable
Usman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu).
He embraced Islam at the very advent . He is also known as "Sahib al-Hijratayn"
(the one who migrated twice) because firstly he migrated to Habshah (Ethiopia)
and then to Madinatul Munawwarah.
Ameer al-Mu'mineen,
Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) was an ardent follower of the
Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He was, in fact, the embodiment
of love of the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Absolute submission
to the Sunnah manifests in his words and deeds.
★
One day Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) sat by the entrance of the
Masjid and asked for the meat of the limb of goat and consumed it. He, then,
offered Salah without redoing the Wudu and explained that the Noble Prophet (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) also consumed the same sitting on the same place, and did in
the same way. [Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Vol. 1,
Page 137, Hadith 441]
★
Once Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) smiled whilst performing Wudu.
The people asked the reason, to which he replied, "Once I saw that the Holy
Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) smiled having performed Wudu at this very
place." [Musnad Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal, Vol. 1, Page
130, Hadith 415]
★
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (Radi Allahu Anhu) narrates, "Uthman bought Jannah twice
from the Prophet. Firstly, on day of ‘The Well of Ruma’ and secondly, when the
Muslims were in a very poor state." [Al-Mustadrak li
al-Hakim, Vol. 3, Page 107; Tarikh Dimashq al-Kabir, Vol. 41, Page 49; Al-Kamil
li Ibn Adi, Vol. 2, Page 464]
★
When the migrants came to the blessed city of Madina Munawwarah, they did not
like the taste of the water. A man from the tribe of Bani Ghaffar possessed a
well, named Ruma, full of sweet water. He used to sell this water to the people.
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asked him if he would sell his well
for a spring in paradise. The man replied, "O Prophet of Allah! This is my only
income." Hearing this, Syyiduna Uthman (Radi Allahu Anhu) came and bought the
well for thirty-one thousand. He then came to the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa
Sallam) and asked, "Will I be able to get the spring of Paradise like you said,
if i would buy the well from him?" The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam)
said, "Yes." Thus, Sayyiduna Uthman (Radi Allahu Anhu) stated, "I have bought
the well of Ruma and given it to the Muslims."
[Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, Vol. 2, Page 41-42, Hadith 1226; Tarikh Dimashq al-Kabir,
Vol. 41, Page 49; Kanz al-Ummal, , Vol. 13, Page 35-36, Hadith 36183]
★
When the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was preparing for the battle of
Tabuk, the Muslims were in need of some financial support. At this moment the
Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) sought the help of Sayyiduna Uthman Radi
Allahu Anhu. Hadrat Uthman (Radi Allahu Anhu) gave 10,000 Dinars, thereafter the
Prophet said, "O Uthman! May Allah forgive your outer and inner mistakes and
forgive all that which you commit till the Day of Judgement. Uthman can do
whatever he wills." [Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 13, Page
38, Hadith 36189]
★
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allahu Anhuma) has stated that Uthman bin
Affan’s (Radi Allahu Anhu) absence from the battle of Badr was because the
daughter of the Prophet of Allah (Ruqayyah), who was his wife, fell ill. Allah’s
Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him, "You will receive the same
reward and share (of the booty - Maal-e-Ghaneemat) as anyone of those who
participated in the battle of Badr (if you stay with her)."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 523; Musnad Ahmad
ibn Hanbal, Vol. 2, Page 101; Jaami' Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 395, Hadith 3726]
★
This was the specialty of Sayyiduna Uthman (Radi Allahu Anhu) as whosoever does
not attend the battle does not get his share of the booty (Maal-e-Ghaneemat).
Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allahu Anhuma) has said, "The Prophet (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) allocated for him his share and did not do so for anyone else
who was absent." [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 18]
★
Sayyiduna Shurhabil bin Muslim (Radi Allahu Anhu) has reported, "Ameer
al-Mu'mineen, Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) would feed the people
with lavish food, and he himself would go home and remain contented with vinegar
and olive only." [Az-Zuhd lil Imam Ahmad, Page 155,
Hadith 684]
★
He was known for his modesty, generosity and braveness. The beloved Messenger of
Allah (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Should I not show modesty to one whom
even the Angels show modesty." [Sahih Muslim, Hadith
2402]
★
Ameer al-Mu'mineen, Sayyiduna Usman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) has said, ‘The
hand by which I committed Bay’ah (spiritual bond) in the blessed hands of the
Most Noble Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam), I have never touched my
genital organ with that (i.e. right hand) thereafter.’
[Az-Zuhd lil Imam Ahmad, Page 155, Hadith 685]
★
Sayyiduna Usman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) has said, "I swear by Allah! I never
committed fornication during the pre-Islamic era of ignorance nor have I
committed it after embracing Islam." [Sunan Ibn
Majah, Vol. 1, Page 99]
★
Sayyiduna Hasan al-Basri (Radi Allahu Anhu) has mentioned explaining the extreme
modesty of Ameer al-Mu'mineen, Sayyiduna Usman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu), "If
he had been in some room with the door properly shut, even then he would not put
off his clothes for taking the bath nor would he straighten his back out of
modesty." [Hilyat al-Awliya, Vol. 1, Page 94, Hadith
159]
★
Ameer al-Mu'mineen, Sayyiduna Usman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) would always
observe Nafl (supererogatory) Fasts. Having taken rest during the initial part
of the night, he would stand vigil (for worship) for the rest of the night.
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 2, Page 173]
★
Whenever Ameer al-Mu'mineen, Sayyiduna Usman al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) would
get up for offering the Salah of Tahajjud at night, he would himself arrange
water for performing the Wudu. When it was asked, ‘Why do you bother yourself;
let your servant do it for you’, He replied, "No, the night is theirs; it is for
their rest." [Ibn Asakir, Vol. 39, Page 236]
★
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (Radi Allahu Anhuma) has reported that the beloved
Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) prophesized a heretical event and informed
Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) that he will be wickedly martyred
in that. [Tirmidhi, Vol. 5, Page 395, Hadith 3728]
★
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam (Radi Allahu Anhu) has stated: When the rebels had
laid siege to the sanctified house of Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) even a
single drop of water was not allowed to supply his blessed home. Sayyiduna
Uthman Al-Ghani would feel restless due to severe thirst. He was observing fast
during the day and I went to see him. He looked at me and said, ‘O! Abdullah bin
Salam, I beheld the Noble Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) through this
skylight. The Most Merciful Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said in a very
sympathetic manner, ‘O Uthman! These people have made you restless by thirst
blocking the water?’ I respectfully replied, ‘Yes.’ So, the Noble Prophet (SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) immediately lowered a bucket towards me that was filled with
water. I quenched my thirst. I can still feel the soothing effect of that water
between both of my breasts and both of my shoulders.
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) then said, ‘O Uthman! If you wish,
I’ll help you against these people; or if you like you may come to me and break
your fast in my company.’ I respectfully replied, ‘Ya RasoolAllah (SallAllahu
Alayka wa Sallam); breaking my fast in your graceful court is dearer to me.’
Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Salam stated that he returned that day and Sayyiduna
Uthman was martyred on that same day by the rebels.
[Kitab al-Manamat, Vol. 3, Page 74, Hadith 109]
★
Imam Jalal al-Din Suyuti (Alayhir Rahmah) has narrated that Shaykh Ibn Batish (Alayhir
Rahmah) deduced that this event (of the sighting of the Noble Prophet SallAllahu
Alayhi wa Sallam) was not a dream, rather it took place whilst awake.
[Al-Hawi lil Fatawi, Vol. 1, Page 151]
★
Sayyiduna 'Adi bin Hatim has stated that on the day when Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi
Allahu Anhu) was martyred, I heard with my ears that someone was saying aloud,
"Give Uthman Al-Ghani the glad tidings of comfort and fragrance; tell him the
delightful news about meeting with Rab (Azza wa Jal). Who is not displeased;
also give him the glad tidings of forgiveness and the pleasure of his Rab (Azza
wa Jal)."
Shaykh 'Adi bin Hatim has further stated that he looked around, but he did not
see anyone. [Ibn Asakir, Vol. 37, Page 355; Shawahid
al-Nubuwwah, Page 209]
★
It has been reported that some of the close companions of Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi
Allahu Anhu) took his body to Jannat-ul-Baqi' at night taking advantage of the
darkness. They were digging the grave when suddenly a large number of riders
entered Jannat-ul-Baqi'. The devotees got frightened. The riders said loudly,
‘Do not fear; we are here to take part in his burial.’ Hearing this, people’s
fear abated and Sayyiduna Uthman Al-Ghani (Radi Allahu Anhu) was buried in
peace. After returning from the graveyard the Sahaba al-Kiram (Alayhim ar-Ridwan)
swore to the people that the riders were in fact angels.
[Shawahid al-Nabuwwah, Page 209]
—
— —
Benediction be upon the ascetic of Mosque of Ahmad
Countless salutations be upon the wealth of army of poverty
Countless salutations be upon the bride groom of two lights of chastity
who was indeed the excellent chain of the scattered pearls of the Holy Qur'an