Uthman ibn Affan

Genealogy and Birth of Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan, the esteemed companion, was the son of Affan ibn Abi al-As ibn Umayya ibn Abd Shams al-Qurashi al-Umayyad. He was the Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Mu'minin) and one of the bearers of glad tidings of paradise. His lineage traces back to the Prophet - peace be upon him - through the line of Abdul Manaf. He was born in the city of Taif six years after the Year of the Elephant.

Uthman ibn Affan's Kunyah and Title

Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) had the Kunyah "Abu Amr" during the pre-Islamic era (Jahiliyyah). However, when his wife Ruqayyah, the Daughter of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with her) gave birth to a child, he was given the kunyah "Abu Abdullah; He was also famously known as "Dhul-Noorayn," which means "The Possessor of Two Lights" because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with them both).

The Islam of Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) was among the early converts to Islam from companions even before the Muslims began to gather at the house of Al-Arqam.

Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) invited him to Islam, and he took Uthman to meet the Prophet (peace be upon him). Uthman embraced Islam after meeting the Prophet, and at that time, he was over thirty years old.

Physical and Ethical Characteristics of Uthman ibn Affan 

Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for his handsome appearance and pleasing countenance. He was of medium height, neither tall nor short, but had a well-proportioned stature. He had a strong and robust build and long arms, and his hands were covered with dense hair. Uthman had a long beard.

In terms of his character, Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was known for his extreme modesty and shyness. He was a generous and easy-going individual. He was beloved among his people both before and after accepting Islam. Uthman was a devout worshipper of Allah and lived a simple and ascetic life, showing little attachment to worldly possessions.

The Actions of Uthman ibn Affan During the Prophetic Era

The esteemed companion Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) undertook numerous significant actions in the service of Allah and His Messenger during the time of the Prophet, including:

1. He was the first to migrate to Abyssinia (Habasha) along with his wife.
2. Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) prepared the army for the battle of Tabuk.
3. He expanded the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi).
4. Uthman purchased the well of Rumah and dedicated it as a charitable endowment (waqf) for the Muslims.

Military Campaigns of Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) participated in all the military campaigns led by the Prophet (peace be upon him) except for the Battle of Badr. This was because the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed him to stay behind to take care of his daughter Ruqayyah, who was ill at the time. The military campaigns in which Uthman participated include:

• The Battle of Uhud.
• The Campaign of Ghatafan (Dhi Amr).
• The Campaign of Dhat al-Riqa.
• The Expedition of Tabuk, during which he prepared the army of Al-Asrah (the needy).

The Caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) assumed the caliphate after the death of the Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) three days later. People gathered with the esteemed companion Abdul-Rahman ibn Awf to consult on who should rightfully be the Caliph. All the companions were unanimous in choosing Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).

His caliphate was initiated in the 24th year of the Hijrah, and he was elected as Caliph by the consensus of the companions; may Allah be pleased with them. In this position, he became the third of the rightly guided Caliphs. His caliphate lasted for twelve years and was marked by numerous achievements, including:

• He meticulously cared for the Quran, copying it into several manuscripts and sending them to various regions.
• His attention to mosques, including the expansion of the Haram Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
• Establishment of the first naval fleet for the Muslims.
• Conquests of various lands, including Armenia, Cyprus, Tripoli, and parts of Africa.

The Martyrdom of Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) was assassinated by a group of rebels. They stormed his house, killed him while he was fasting, and found the Quran in his hands. He died as a martyr (shaheed) in the 35th year of the Hijrah and was buried in Al-Baqi cemetery.