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A Short Biography of Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A)

Past Paper Questions:

(a) What major events took place during the caliphate of ‘Usman? [10]
(b) Explain why ‘Usman encountered difficulties in the later years of his
caliphate and was assassinated. [4] M/J 2010

(a) What were the consequences of ‘Usman’s murder? [10]

(b) ‘IbnMuljam’s murder of ‘Ali was unjustified’. Discuss, giving reasons for
your answer. [4] Oct/Nov 2013

(a) What were the causes of the revolt against ‘Usman and what charges were
made against him? [10]
(b) Can Muslims today learn lessons from the martyrdom of ‘Usman? Give
reasons for your answer. [4] Oct/Nov 2014

(a) Outline the charges levelled against ‘Usman by his opponents, and describe
the main events of the revolt against him. [10]
(b) What do you think was the most harmful outcome of ‘Usman’s
assassination? [4] Oct/Nov 2015

(a) Give an account of:

(i) the election of the caliph ‘Usman, and
(ii) the compilation of the Qur’an that took place during his caliphate. [10]
(b) Three of the four Rightly Guided Caliphs were martyred for the decisions
they made. Can Muslim leaders today learn anything from this? Give reasons
for your answer. [4] Oct/Nov 2016

(a) Write in detail about the policy followed by ‘Usman as caliph in expanding
and maintaining the state. [10]
(b) How justified were the criticisms against ‘Usman for burning the copies of
the Qur’an? Give reasons for your answer. [4] Oct/Nov 2016

(a) Outline the reasons for the unrest against ‘Usman and write an account of
the rebellion in Madina that led to his martyrdom. [10]

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(b) ‘Umar and ‘Usman stood by what they believed to be just and were
martyred for the position they took. What lessons can be learnt from their
martyrdom? Give reasons for your answer. [4] M/J 2019/21

Life Before Caliphate

Hazrat Usman (R.A) was born in 573 A.D in a highly reputed family of
“Umayyah” belonging to the tribe of Qureysh in Makkah. Banu Umayyah
enjoyed a great status among Qureyshi people as they had the responsibility of
keeping the Flag of the whole clan. Usman was born to Affan ibn Abi al-'As, of
the Umayya, and to Arwa bint Kurayz, of the Abd e Shams tribe, both wealthy
clans of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. Arwa's mother was Umm Hakim bint
Abdul Muttalib, making Arwa the first cousin of Muhammad and Usman his
first cousin's son. Usman had one sister, Amina. His complete name was
“Usman ibn Affan”.

He is listed as one of the 22nd Meccans "at the dawn of Islam" who knew how
to read and write. He started dealing in the business of cloth in his youth,
which earned him a lot of wealth. He was greatly respected for his kind nature
among the Makkans, as he used to help the poor and remove their troubles.
That and later services to Islam in the form of spending his capital earned him
the title of “Al-Ghani” (the Generous One). He was also well known for his
truthfulness and honesty.

Usman and his wife, Ruqayya, migrated to Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia) in

April 615, along with ten Muslim men and three women. A larger Group of
Muslims joined them later. As Usman already had some business contacts in
Abyssinia, he continued to practice his profession as a trader and he continued
to flourish. After four years, the news spread among the Muslims in Abyssinia
that the Quraysh of Mecca had accepted Islam, and this acceptance persuaded
Usman, Ruqayya and 39 Muslims to return. However, when they reached

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Mecca, they found that the news about the Quraysh's acceptance of Islam was
false. Nevertheless, Usman and Ruqayya re-settled in Mecca. Usman had to
start his business afresh, but the contacts that he had already established in
Abyssinia worked in his favour and his business prospered once again.

In 622, Usman and his wife, Ruqayya, were among the third group of Muslims
to migrate to Medina. Upon arrival, Usman stayed with Abu Talha ibn Thabit
before moving into the house he purchased a short time later. Usman was one
of the richest merchants of Mecca, with no need of financial help from
his Ansari brother (Aus ibne Sabit), as he had brought the considerable fortune
he had amassed with him to Medina. Most Muslims of Medina were farmers
with little interest in trade, and Jews had conducted most trading in the town.
Usman realized there was a considerable commercial opportunity to promote
trade among Muslims and soon established himself as a trader in Medina. With
hard work and honesty, his business flourished, making him one of the richest
men in Medina.

When Ali married Fatimah, Usman bought Ali's shield for five
hundred dirhams. Four hundred was set aside as mahr (dower) for Fatimah's
marriage, leaving a hundred for all other expenses. Later, Usman presented the
armour back to Ali as a wedding present.
In 632, the year Muhammad died; Usman participated in the Farewell
Pilgrimage. Usman was also present at the event of Ghadir Khumm, where,
according to Shia sources, he was among those who pledged allegiance to Ali.

Great Services to Islam

Hazrat Usman (R.A) committed his entire life in the way of Allah and His
Messenger (PBUH) that is why he accepted Islam in the times when his family
was in command of Qureysh, yet he chose the Right Path opposed to their
wishes.

He served the Religion of Peace in many ways such as:

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1. Participated in nearly every battle against disbelievers along with

Rasulullah (PBUH) except in Badr.
2. Bought a well named “bi’r-i-Rumah” from a Madinan Jew for 20,000
Dirhams and made it free to use for Muhajireen e Makkah, who had no
water to drink at that time
3. Also purchased a portion of land in order to increase the capacity of Masjid
e Nabawi
4. He was a Leading Person in “Sulah e Hudaibiya” (the Peace Treaty of
Hudaibiya) in the 6th year of Migration. When false news came out that he
was martyred by Makkans, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) took an oath to take
Usman Ghani`s (R.A) revenge. Such was his great rank near the Messenger
(PBUH) of Allah that He (PBUH) considered His left hand as that of
Usman`s (R.A) and combined it with His right hand and took a promise
known as known as“Bai’at al-Ridwan” (the Pledge of Ridwan) in front of
remaining companions.
5. Helped in strengthening of the Muslim Army at the expedition of Tabuk by
giving gold coins, horses and camels, which earned him the great respect of
the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Who said:
“From this day on nothing will harm ‘Usman regardless of what he does.”
(Tirmidhi)
It means Rasulullah (PBUH) had declared Hazrat Usman (R.A) as one the
upright Muslims because of his selflessness and great service to Islam.

Hazrat Usman (R.A) elected as the third Khalifah (Caliph)

Before his death, Hazrat ‘Umar (R.A) appointed a panel of six men to select a
"Khalifah" from amongst themselves and then sought his approval through
Bai'at (Pledge of loyalty) by Muslim Public. He also instructed them to make
the nomination within three days. The panel included Usman, Ali, Sa'd Bin Abi
Waqqas, Talha, Zubair and 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf (Ridwanullah-i-'Alaihim)
as the members.

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The panel could not arrive at any decision even after long meetings. Then,
Hazrat 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf proposed somebody to withdraw his name in
order to decide the matter. When he got no response, he withdrew his own
name. The remaining members agreed that he could take a decision. He
consulted each member individually except Hazrat Talha (R.A) who was not
present at Medina. It so, happened that Hazrat Usman proposed 'Ali's name and
Hazrat 'Ali proposed Usman's name for the post of Khalifah. But Zubair and
Sa'd (R.A) were more in favour of Hazrat Usman than Hazrat Ali. After more
consultations with other companions and thinking over the problem during the
third night, Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (R.A) gave his decision in the
morning of the fourth day in favour of Hazrat Usman (R.A).

First of all Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (R.A) took Bai'at at the hands of
Hazrat Usman and then all the Muslims present in the Mosque followed suit
and took Bai'at (pledge of loyalty) at the hands of Hazrat Usman (R.A). In this
way, Hazrat Usman (R.A) was declared to be the third Khalifah. When Hazrat
Talha (R.A) returned to Medina, Usman (R.A) requested him either to accept
the post of "Khalifah" (as he was among the persons proposed by Hazrat ‘Umar
for the post) or to acknowledge him as Khalifah by taking Bai'at. Hazrat Talha
declined to be the Khalifah and took pledge of loyalty at his hand, saying "How
can I object to your being the Khalifah when all the Muslims have agreed upon
you."

Some of the milestones that he achieved during his reign are:

1. Continuation of the tradition of Hazrat Umar (R.A) and expanding the

Islamic state to far off non Arab countries
2. Formation of Naval Muslim forces leading to more effective outreach to
distant regions of the world
3. Winning an emphatic naval battle against Byzantine Empire consisting of
500 ships
4. Ultimate glorification of Islamic State through victories over Byzantine and
Roman realms and capturing the North African territories

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Throughout his time in power, he kept his tradition of kindness and generosity
to fellow Muslims and never raised a war against own people despite stubborn
and unjust opposition of a few group of so called Muslims.

Military expansion
During his rule, Uthman's military-style was more autonomical in nature as he
delegated much military authority to his trusted kinsmen—e.g., Abdullah ibn
Aamir, Muawiyah- I and Abdullāh ibn Sa'ad ibn Abī as-Sarâḥ—unlike Umar's
more centralized policy. Consequently, this more independent policy allowed
more expansion until Sindh, in modern Pakistan, which had not been touched
during the tenure of Umar.
Muawiyah-I had been appointed the governor of Syria by Umar in 639 to stop
Byzantine harassment from the sea during the Arab-Byzantine Wars. He
succeeded his elder brother Yazid ibn Abi Sufyan, who died in a plague, along
with Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah, the governor before him, and 25,000 other
people. Now under Uthman's rule in 649, Muawiyah was allowed to set up a
navy, manned by Monophysitic Christians, Copts, and Jacobite Syrian
Christian sailors and Muslim troops, which defeated the Byzantine navy at
the Battle of the Masts in 655, opening up the Mediterranean.
In Hijri year 31 (c. 651), Uthman sent Abdullah ibn Zubayr and Abdullah ibn
Saad to reconquer the Maghreb, where he met the army of Gregory the
Patrician, Exarch of Africa and relative of Heraclius, which is recorded to have
numbered between 120,000 and 200,000 soldiers, Although another estimate
was recorded, Gregory's army was put at 20,000. The opposing forces clashed
at Sabuthilag (or Sufetula), which became the name of this battle. Records from
al-Bidayah wal Nihayah, state that Abdullah's troops were completely
surrounded by Gregory's army. However, Abdullah ibn Zubayr spotted
Gregory in his chariot and asked Abdullah ibn Sa'd to lead a small detachment
to intercept him. The interception was successful, and Gregory was slain by
Zubayr's ambush party. Consequently, the morale of Byzantine army started
crumbling and soon they were routed.

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Some Muslim sources claim that after the conquest of northern Africa was
completed by Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Abdullah ibn Sa'd continued
to Spain. Spain had first been invaded some sixty years earlier during the
caliphate of Uthman. Other prominent Muslim historians, like Ibn Kathir, have
quoted the same narration. In the description of this campaign, two of Abdullah
ibn Saad's generals, Abdullah ibn Nafiah ibn Husain, and Abdullah ibn Nafi'
ibn Abdul Qais, were ordered to invade the coastal areas of Spain by sea, aided
by a Berber force. They succeeded in conquering the coastal areas of Al-
Andalus. It is not known where the Muslim force landed, what resistance they
met, and what parts of Spain they actually conquered. However, it is clear that
the Muslims did conquer some portion of Spain during the caliphate of
Uthman, presumably establishing colonies on its coast. On this occasion,
Uthman is reported to have addressed a letter to the invading force:
Constantinople will be conquered from the side of Al-Andalus. Thus, if you
conquer it, you will have the honor of taking the first step towards the conquest
of Constantinople. You will have your reward in this behalf both in this world
and the next.
Although raids by Berbers and Muslims were conducted against the Visigothic
Kingdom in Spain during the late 7th century, there is no evidence that Spain
was invaded nor that parts of it were conquered or settled by Muslims prior to
the 711 campaign by Tariq.
Abdullah ibn Saad also achieved success in the Caliphate's first decisive naval
battle against the Byzantine Empire, the Battle of the Masts.

Rashidun Caliphate at its peak under Uthman (654)

To the east, Ahnaf ibn Qais, chief of Banu Tamim and a veteran commander
who conquered Shustar earlier, launched a series of further military expansions
by further mauling Yazdegerd III near Oxus River in Turkmenistan and later
crushing a military coalition of Sassanid loyalists and Hephthalite Empire in
the Siege of Herat. Later, the governor of Basra, Abdullah ibn Aamir also led a
number of successful campaigns, ranging from the suppression of revolts in

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Fars, Kerman, Seestan, and Khorasan, to the opening of new fronts for
conquest in Transoxiana and Afghanistan.
In the next year, AD 652, Futh Al-Buldan of Baladhuri writes
that Balochistan was re-conquered during the campaign against the revolt in
Kermān, under the command of Majasha ibn Mas'ud. It was the first time that
western Balochistan had come directly under the laws of the Caliphate and it
paid an agricultural tribute.
The military campaigns under Uthman's rule were generally successful, except
for a few in the kingdom of Nubia, on the lower Nile.

Official manuscript of the Holy Qur'an

One of the magnificent services to Islam done by Hazrat Usman (R.A) was to
safeguard any possible change in the codex of the Holy Qur'an. After the
conquests by the Muslims hundreds of thousands of non-Arabs, whose mother
tongue was not Arabic, accepted Islam because of its teachings. Hazrat
Hudhaifah (R.A.), one of the prominent Companions of the Holy Prophet
PBUH, went for "Jihad" (Holy War) during that time and noticed many
differences in the manner of recitation (Qira't) of the Holy Qur'an. The Syrians
recited in a way different from that of Kufis while the Kufis differed from
Basris and so on. As a matter of fact these differences were due to the
differences in the way of writing Arabic. Seeing this condition Hazrat
Hudhaifah reported the matter to the Khalifah on his return from the "Jihad"
and suggested that the Medinese codex should be regarded as authentic, i.e. the
Holy Qur'an, which was written and compiled in Book form during the time of
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) and was kept with Ummul-mumminin Hazrat Hafsah
(R.A). Hazrat Usman (R.A) took that Book from Hazrat Hafsah(R.A) and
canonized the Medinese codex. He asked Hazrat Zaid bin Thabit (R.A.), the
person who wrote it during the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr, to make copies of the
same with the help of some other Companions like Abdullah ibn al-Zubair, Saeed
ibn al-Aas and Abd al-Rahman ibn Harith. Then he ordered all other copies,
beside the Medinese codex, to be burnt and destroyed throughout the State.

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Those people who earned their living in the provinces as the receptacles and
expositors of the sacred text were not pleased with this act. It has been
discussed before that such persons criticized Uthman for burning unauthentic
texts. However for this great service Hazrat Usman (R.A) is famous as the
"Jami'ul-Qur'an" (The compiler of the Qur'an).

CHARGES AGAINST HAZRAT USMAN

The people, who had once spoken highly of Hazrat Usman, brought several
allegations against him afterwards. One of the main allegations against Hazrat
Usman was that he had appointed his inefficient relatives as governors. This
allegation was incorrect. There were twelve provinces in the country. Hazrat
Usman appointed his relatives in four provinces, namely Egypt, Syria, Kufa
and Basra. He appointed them not because he wanted to bestow high offices on
his family members, but because of the importance these provinces had. They
demanded that there should be governors who were loyal to him and enjoyed
his confidence as the Khalifa. Hazrat Usman had absolute right to appoint
governors and there was no legal bar to the appointment of relatives to high
posts.
All the governors appointed by Hazrat Usman were people of great calibre.
Muawiya, a relative of Hazrat Usman was appointed by Hazrat Umar as the
Governor of Syria and Hazrat Usman let him continue in office. Muawiya was
an able ruler and administrator of outstanding capabilities.
Abdullah bin Sa’ad, a foster brother of Hazrat Usman, was also appointed as
the Governor of Egypt by Hazrat Umar. He continued to hold the office under
Hazrat Usman. He was successful as governor. Under his rule, the whole of
North Africa was conquered.
In Kufa. Khalifa Usman appointed Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas as the Governor.
When he was not able to control the situation, he was deposed and his step-
brother, Walid bin Uqba was appointed in his place. Walid justified this
selection and during the first five years of his rule, he served the people of Kufa

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to the best of his ability. He conducted successful campaigns in Azerbaijan and

Armenia. Later, there was agitation in Kufa and Hazrat Usman deposed him in
public interest.
In Basra, Abu Musa Ashari was deposed at the demand of the people of Basra
and Abdullah bin Amir, a cousin of Hazrat Usman was appointed according to
the wishes of the people of Basra. He proved very successful. He reconquered
the whole of Fars, Seestan and Khurasan. Thus none of the governors
appointed by Hazrat Usman proved a failure.

It is also alleged that Hazrat Usman was weak and that he did not exercise
control on his governors who acted according to their own wishes and did not
carry out the orders of their Khalifa. The true position is that these governors
enjoyed the confidence of Hazrat Usman, who allowed them a great deal of
independence and did not interfere in their day to day affairs. Hazrat Umar had
imposed some restrictions on his governors. Hazrat Usman did not consider
such restrictions necessary. So he allowed them greater liberty and freedom.
The greatest allegation against the Khalifa was the burning of the Holy Quran.
There were no standardized copies of the Quran. Hazrat Usman thought it
desirable to standardize the text of Holy Quran. In order to carry out this plan, a
committee was appointed. Under its supervision, some fresh copies were made
and all the unauthentic copies were burnt. At first, this action of the Khalifa
received great admiration, but afterward tshe rebels raised a hue and cry that
the Khalifs had caused the sacred volumes to be burnt.
Hazrat Usman gave a convincing reply to each of the charges in the presence of
the Holy Prophet’s Companions. In this connection Hazrat All and some
companions were satisfied and accepted Hazrat Usman’s explanation. The
rebels however, stuck to one point – their demand to depose the Khalifa. To
achieve this end, a large number of the rebels from Egypt, Kufa and Basra
marched on Madinah and encamped outside the capital. Hazrat Ali tried to
argue with them and succeeded in persuading them to go back after Hazrat
Usman had agreed to two of their conditions i.e., the removal of the governor

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of Egypt. Abdullah bin Sa’ad and the appointment of Muhammad bin Abu
Bakr in his place.
Usman had pacified them and they were on their way home when they got a
hold of a letter supposedly from ‘Usman to the Governor of Egypt to have the
leaders of the group put to death on their return. Seeking vengeance they
returned and killed him.

False Accusations Against Uthman

➢ 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.
➢ Usman 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. Usman did not take timely action against
him.

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➢ 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.
➢ The uprisings in Iraq, Kufa and Egypt. Finally in 35 AH troops from all
three provinces arrived at Medina to take their complaints directly to the
Caliph.
➢ Usman had pacified them and they were on their way home when they
got a hold of a letter supposedly from ‘Usman to the Governor of Egypt
to have the leaders of the group put to death on their return. Seeking
vengeance they returned and killed him.
➢ He mounted a step up on the pulpit to be at the level used by the Prophet
while Abu Bakr and Umar moved a step down;
➢ He allowed Al-Hakam back into Madinah when it was the Prophet who
expelled him;
➢ He did not take part in the Battle of Badr, and fled during the Battle of
Uhud, and was absent on the day when the Prophet’s companions made
the pledge under the tree, known as Bay’at Al-Ridwan;
➢ He refused to put Ubaydellah ibn Umar to death for killing Al-Hurmuzan
(who had given Abu Lu’lu’ah a knife to kill Umar).

MARTYRDOM:

The rebels were on their way home when they got hold of a letter supposedly
from Usman to the governor of Egypt to have the leaders of the group put to
death on their return.
➢ They returned to Medina after four days shouting for revenge.

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➢ They laid siege to his house by hundreds and did not allow food and
water to reach him.
➢ Ali deputed his sons, Hassan and Hussain, and Zubair deputed his son
Abdullah to protect him.
➢ Some companions who were successful in reaching him, wanted to help
him and fight the rebels or send for the army.
➢ But Usman 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, injured his wife Naila and killed him while he was reciting the
Quran.
➢ The copy of that particular Quran still exists with his blood on it. He died
on Friday, 18th of Zil Hajj 35 AH. He was 84 years old.
Ibn Umar (R.A) reported that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) mentioned a fitnah
(trial) by saying:

“This innocent one will be killed in that, reffering to Usman bin Affan.”
(Tirimdhi)

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS MARTYRDOM:

➢ It was a great tragedy with far reaching consequences. It marked the start
of sectarianism among the Muslims.
➢ The future events proved it.
➢ 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
Usman who didn’t take any action against the rebels on the ground that he
did not want to shed Muslim blood.

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Administration:

Followed the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)

Relaxed the strict laws of Hazrat Umar. Allowed Arabs to acquire lands in
conquered areas. Made extensions to the Masjid-e-Nabwi and constructed new
mosques. Ordered construction of inns, border-outposts and guesthouses. Made
arrangement to supply travelers with water by having wells dug near roads.
Built dam to protect Madina from floods coming from the side of Khyber.
Raised the salaries of officers and the armed forces. Rendered great service to
Islam by standardizing the Quran.

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