3. Hazrat Usman bin Affan (رضي الله عنه): The Generous giver
Hazrat Usman bin Affan (رضي الله عنه)
Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)
Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) was the third Caliph of Islam. He was a very kind and generous person, loved by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). His kindness and devotion to Islam earned him the title Dhun-Nurain, meaning The Possessor of Two Lights, because he was married to two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Ruqaiyya and Umme Kulsum.
Early Life: Hz Usman was born in 576 AD in Taif. He came from a noble family and was related to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) through their common ancestor, Qusayi.
His Generosity: Hz Usman was known for his generosity. He spent his wealth in helping the poor and building infrastructure for the Muslim community. He even bought a well to provide clean water for the Muslims in Madinah. This act made him a hero in the eyes of the Muslims.
His Characteristics
- Kind and Brave: Hz Usman was known for his kindness and courage.
- Shy and Modest: He was very bashful, and even the angels felt shy around him.
- Generous: He spent much of his wealth to help others and for the sake of Islam.
His Role in Islam
- He was one of the first people to accept Islam and support the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
- He was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and took part in important events.
- He was given the reward of participating in the Battle of Badr even though he wasn’t physically there because he stayed behind to take care of the Prophet’s daughter, Ruqaiyya.
- Hz Usman was also the one who wrote down the Quranic revelations when the Prophet (ﷺ) asked him to.
Special Merits
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) promised that Hz Usman was going to paradise. Even if he didn’t do any more good deeds, his place in Jannah (paradise) was guaranteed.
- He spent a lot of money during the Battle of Tabook and was praised by the Prophet for it.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that if he had 10 daughters, he would have married them all to Hz Usman because of his great qualities.
The End of His Life
Hz Usman became the Caliph after Hz Umar (رضي الله عنه). He led the Muslim community and made many improvements. Sadly, he was martyred during a time of unrest. He is remembered for his kindness, leadership, and generosity.
The Caliphate of Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)
After the death of Hz Umar (رضي الله عنه), the second caliph of Islam, he chose six of the Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) companions to select the next caliph. They chose Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) as the third caliph of Islam.
Under the rule of Hz Umar (رضي الله عنه), everything was strict and controlled. But after his death, during Hz Usman’s time, there were many victories in Islam, and this also brought new challenges, including temptation and difficulty in managing the people.
Important Victories and Incidents During the Caliphate of Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه):
- Conquests:
- Victory in Iskandariya (Iraq).
- Victory in Azarbayijaan and Armenia.
- Victory in Africa under the leadership of Abdullah bin Saad.
- Victory in the city of Kabras.
- Building the Prophet’s Mosque: Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) rebuilt and expanded the Masjid-e-Nabwi, making it larger and more beautiful.
- Establishing a Reading of the Quran: Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) made sure that everyone read the Quran the same way by collecting and distributing written copies of the Quran.
- Fleet of Ships: He established a fleet of ships, which helped the Muslim army expand across the seas.
- The Conversion of Abdullah bin Saba: Abdullah bin Saba, a Jew who pretended to be Muslim, started spreading lies and turning people against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه). This caused many people to question him.
The Conspiracy Against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه):
In the year 33 Hijri, Abdullah bin Saba started spreading lies in Egypt and Iraq. This led some people to rebel against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) and caused division among the Muslims.
Objections Against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه):
- He Didn’t Go to the Battle of Badr: Some people criticized him for not being at the Battle of Badr, but the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had told him to stay behind and look after his wife, Hz Ruqaiyya, who was unwell. The Prophet (ﷺ) promised that Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) would still be rewarded as if he had participated.
- Not at the Battle of Uhud: Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) had to leave the battlefield during the Battle of Uhud to care for the Prophet’s wife, but Allah forgave those who left.
- Not Present at the Pledge of Ridwan: Some criticized him for not being present at this important event, but the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had sent him on an important mission.
- Collecting Quranic Readings: Some questioned why Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) collected different readings of the Quran, but his reason was to ensure that the Quran was read correctly by everyone.
- Family Members in Leadership: Some people complained that Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) gave important positions to his family members, but he believed they were the best for the job.
The Siege of Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)’s House:
The people who rebelled against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) came from Egypt and other places to ask him to leave the Caliphate. Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) refused because the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had told him that if people ever tried to force him out, he should not leave. He trusted Allah’s plan and didn’t want Muslims to fight each other.
Even though many of the Prophet’s companions came forward to help him, Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) didn’t want Muslims to fight among themselves, so he sent them back.
Martyrdom of Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)
Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) was besieged in his house for 20 days by rebels. They stopped him from having food and water, and in his great thirst, he asked for a drink from the well he had built for Madinah, but they refused.
One night, Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) dreamt of the Prophet (ﷺ), Hz Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), and Hz Umar (رضي الله عنه), inviting him to join them. On 12th Zul-Hijjah, 35 Hijri, fasting and reading the Quran, specifically Surah Al-Baqarah: 137: “And Allah will be sufficient for you against them.”
As he was reciting, one of the seceders attacked him from behind, and his blood fell onto the Quran he was reading. This Quran is still preserved in a museum in Turkey. Despite his injuries, he continued to face the situation with patience and strength.
Hz Usman (رضي الله عنه) was martyred at the age of 79, marking the beginning of a difficult time for the Muslim community.
✦ Summary:Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) was the third Caliph of Islam, known for his generosity, kindness, and leadership. He was married to two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), earning him the title “Dhun-Nurain” (Possessor of Two Lights). Born in 576 AD, he was from a noble family and played an important role in supporting Islam from the early days. As Caliph, Hz Usman led many successful conquests, including victories in Iskandariya, Azarbayijaan, Armenia, and Africa. He expanded the Prophet’s Mosque and ensured the Quran was preserved by standardizing its recitation. He also established a fleet of ships to expand Islamic influence through seas. Despite his contributions, his leadership faced opposition, partly due to the actions of Abdullah bin Saba, who stirred discontent. Hz Usman was besieged in his home by rebels for 20 days, and despite his kindness, they denied him food and water. On the 12th of Zul-Hijjah, 35 Hijri, while fasting and reading the Quran, he was martyred. His death marked a turning point in Islamic history, leading to greater unrest within the community. His life is remembered for his unwavering faith, generosity, and commitment to Islam. |
✿ Question & Answers
1Q: Who was Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)?
A: He was the third Caliph of Islam.
2Q.: Why was Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) given the title “Ghani”?
A: He was given the title “Ghani” because of his renowned generosity towards the poor.
3Q: How many wives did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) have?
A: Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) had 9 wives, including Ruqayya bint Muhammad (the daughter of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) and Umme Kulsum bint Muhammad.
4Q: How many children did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) have?
A: He had 9 sons and 7 daughters.
5Q: What special title was given to Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)?
A: He was called “Dhun-Nurain” because he married two daughters of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
6Q: How did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) accept Islam?
A: He accepted Islam early and was one of the first people to follow the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).
7Q: What is one of Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)’s greatest qualities?
A: He was known for his modesty and generosity.
8Q: What important task did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) perform regarding the Quran?
A: He compiled the Quran into one standard copy for all Muslims.
9Q: What was Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)’s major contribution during his caliphate?
A: He expanded the Islamic empire and spread Islam to new regions.
10Q: What did Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) say about Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)?
A: Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said that if he had ten daughters, he would marry them to Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه).
11Q: What great deed did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) do for the Muslims?
A: He bought a well called Bi’r-e-Ruma and made it free for all Muslims to use.
12Q: What reward did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) receive for not participating in the Battle of Badr?
A: Even though he didn’t participate, he received the same reward as those who fought in the Battle of Badr because he stayed with the Prophet’s daughter, Hazrat Ruqayya (رضي الله عنها).
13Q: What did Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) promise Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) about Paradise?
A: The Prophet (ﷺ) gave Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) the glad tidings that he was among those promised Paradise.
14Q: How did Hazrat Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) contribute to the early days of Islam?
A: He was one of the first Muslims to accept Islam and was known for his deep faith and dedication.
15Q: What important victories happened during his Caliphate?
A: These victories helped spread Islam further and stronger.
16Q:What did Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) do for the Muslims in Madinah?
A: He rebuilt the Masjid-e-Nabwi.
(which is the mosque where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is buried, and he made sure the Quran was read correctly by collecting different ways people recited it and making one uniform method).
17Q: Who started the problems against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)?
A: A man named Abdullah bin Saba tried to create confusion and turned people against Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه), which led to a lot of misunderstandings and protests.
18Q: How long did people besiege Hz Usman Ghani’s (رضي الله عنه) house?
A: People surrounded Hz Usman Ghani’s (رضي الله عنه) house for 20 days.
19Q: What did Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) ask for during the siege?
A: He asked for food and water, reminding them that he had built a well for the people of Madinah.
20Q: What did Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) dream before he was martyred?
A: He dreamed that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), Hz Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), and Hz Umar (رضي الله عنه) invited him to have iftar with them.
21Q: When was Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) martyred?
A: Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) was martyred on 12th Zilhijjah, 35 Hijri (17th June 656 AD).
22Q: What was Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) doing when he was martyred?
A: He was fasting and reading the Quran when he was attacked.
23Q: What happened to Hz Usman Ghani’s (رضي الله عنه) blood?
A: His blood fell on the Quran he was reading.
This Quran is still preserved in a museum in Turkey.
24Q: How old was Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) when he was martyred?
A: He was around 79 or 80 years old when he was martyred.
25Q: Why didn’t Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) accept help from other companions?
A: Even though many companions wanted to help, Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) didn’t want to see Muslims fighting among themselves. He believed it was better to avoid civil war.
26Q: How did the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ support Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه)?
A: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had once said to him: “If they want you to take off the shirt that Allah has given you (the leadership), do not take it off for them.” This was a sign that Hz Usman Ghani (رضي الله عنه) was doing the right thing by not giving up his position.
Prepared by Umme Abdul Rahman.
Graduate Alim/Alimah.
Founder & Director of imsjeddah.com.