Biography of Hazrat Usman Ibn Affan (RA)

Biography of Hazrat Usman Ibn Affan (RA)

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and his sanctified and devoted Companions (RA), in addition to all their followers until the Day of Judgment. In this text, we present a quick biography of the third caliph Usman Ibn Affan (RA) 'Dhun-Nurain' to extract lessons and examples from the sides of this unique person.

His Ancestry, Family, and Attributes:

His complete call is Usman Ibn Affan bin Al-Aas bin Umayyah bin Abdul Shams bin Abd Manaf. He became born in Makkah in the 6th 12 months of Amul-Fil (the year of the Elephant). He turned approximately 5 years younger than the Prophet (SAW). His father died earlier than Islam inside the pre-Islamic length. His mom’s name become Arwa bint Kurayz and he or she died in the course of the Caliphate of his son Usman (RA). He became Muslim early and took part in the two Migrations: first to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and the second one to Madinah. He married Ruqayyahh bint Mohammad, daughter of the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) and he or she died on the night of the Battle of Badr. The Prophet (SAW) then married her daughter Umm Kulsoom bint Mohammad, to him.

 His Title “Dhun-Nurain”:

The Scholars say that nobody is understood to have married two daughters of a Prophet except him. For this purpose, he become nicknamed 'Dhun-Nurain' (the only one with the two lights). He became one of the ten given the tiding of Paradise and one of the Companions who compiled the Quran. Usman (RA) married 8 wives in all and he had 9 sons from 5 better halves.

His Physical Appearance:

 He changed into neither short nor tall with an extensive shoulder and thick hair on his head. He had a long beard and became good-looking. It is said that he become the most handsome of the people.

His youth inside the Pre-Islamic Society:

In the pre-Islamic society, Usman (RA) become most of the best of his human beings. He became of excessive fame, very rich, extremely modest, and eloquent in speech. His people cherished him dearly and respected him. He by no means prostrated to an idol and had in no way dedicated any immoral motion even before Islam. He also did now not drink alcohol earlier than Islam. He turned into nicely versed within the information of lineages, proverbs, and the history of vital activities. He traveled to Syria and Ethiopia and combined with non-Arab human beings, studying matters approximately their lives and customs that no person else knew. He took care of the enterprise that he had inherited from his father and his wealth grew. He changed into seemed like one of the men of the Banu Umayyah extended family who had been held in high esteem by all of Quraish. Thus, Usman (RA) turned into seemed as being of excessive status among his people and he was loved dearly.

His Conversion to Islam:

Usman (RA) become thirty-four years antique while Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (RA) called him to Islam and he did not hesitate at all and answered without delay to the call of Abu Bakr (RA). He was the fourth man to embody Islam after Abu Bakr (RA), Ali ibn Talib (RA), and Zaid ibn Harithah (RA).

His Persecution and Migration to Ethiopia:

Usman (RA) and his wife Ruqayyah (RA), daughter of the Prophet (SAW), migrated to Ethiopia (Abyssinia) along with ten Muslim men and 3 girls. Some Muslims later joined them as migrants. All emigrant Muslims located safety, security, and freedom of worship in Abyssinia. Usman (RA) already had a few enterprise contacts in Ethiopia, therefore, he persevered to practice his profession as a dealer. The Holy Quran speaks of the migration of the early Muslims to Abyssinia, as Allah says: “And as for folks who emigrated for the Cause of Allah, after they have been wronged, We shall clearly give them goodly residence on this world, but indeed the reward of the Hereafter will be more; if they but knew!” (Al-Nahl 641). When there has been a rumor that the human beings of Makkah had ended up Muslims, information of that reached the emigrants in Abyssinia, so they came again but when drew close to Makkah, they heard that the information became fake. Nevertheless, all emigrants entered the city. Among those who again have been Usman (RA) and Ruqayyah (RA) and that they re-settled in Makkah. Usman (RA) remained in Makkah till Allah granted permission to migrate to Madinah.

 Him staying Close to Prophet (SAW):

The most powerful component that fashioned Usman's (RA) individual, added out his capabilities and potentials and purified his soul changed into his maintaining organization with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and analyzing at his hands. Usman (RA) stayed near the Prophet (SAW) in Makkah after he became Muslim and stayed close to him in Madinah after he migrated there. Usman (RA) tells us how he stayed close to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) as he said: "Allah, might also additionally He be glorified and exalted, sent Mohammad (SAW) with the truth and discovered the Book to him and I have become considered one of the folks who responded to Allah and His Messenger (SAW) and believed. I made the two early migrations and I have become the son-in-regulation of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and I acquired steering without delay from him".

 Usman (RA) and the Holy Quran:

Usman (RA) became deeply connected to the Holy Quran. It was related that Abu Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sulami said: “Those who taught the Quran, along with Usman ibn Affan, Abd-Allah ibn Masood, and others, told us that when they found out ten verses from the Prophet (SAW), they might not move past them till they had discovered the know-how contained in them and a way to observe it indeed. They said: So we discovered the Quran and information and its software together. Hence they could spend some time to memorize a surah.” The following sayings of Usman (RA) in reality show his attachment and love for the Holy Quran: “If our hearts had been pure, we might by no means have our fill of the words of Allah, May additionally He be glorified and exalted.” “I might now not just like the day to come after I do now not look within the Covenant of Allah (i.e. Holy Quran).” There are 4 subjects which are probably outwardly virtues, but, in reality, are obligations mixing with righteous people is a distinctive feature and following their example is a duty, studying Quran is a virtue and acting upon its miles a responsibility, traveling the graves is a virtue and preparing for death is an obligation and touring the unwell individual is a virtue and asking him to make a will is an obligation.” “Ten matters are the best waste of time: a pupil whom no person asks approximately, the expertise that isn't acted upon, a sound recommendation that is not typical, a weapon that is not used, a Mosque that isn't prayed in, a Mushaf (Quran) that is not read from, wealth from which not anything is spent (in charity), a horse that isn't always ridden, understanding of asceticism within the heart of one who is searching for worldly gain and protracted lifestyles in which no education is made for the adventure (into the Hereafter).” Usman (RA) was Hafiz of the Quran (memorization of Quran) and he study Quran all the time. Usman (RA) recited the whole Quran again to Prophet Mohammad (SAW) before he died.

His Migration to Medinah:

 Usman (RA) and his spouse, Ruqayya (RA), have been the various Muslims to migrate to Medinah. Upon arrival, Usman (R.A) stayed with Abu Talha ibn Thabit (RA) earlier than moving into the house he bought a short time later. After the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) had settled in Madinah, he began organizing the foundations of the Islamic State. Usman (RA) turned into one of the pillars of the Islamic State and he did now not withhold any advice, opinion, or wealth. He was also gifted at each major occasion except the Battle of Badr.

 Battle of Badr and Death of his Wife:

When the Muslims went out to fight the Battle of Badr, Usman’s (RA) spouse Ruqayyah (RA) became ill and become limited to her bed on the time while his father Mohammad (SAW) referred to as at the Muslims to intercept the caravan of Quraish. Usman (RA) hastened to exit with the Messenger of Allah (SAW) but he (SAW) did not permit Usman (RA) to go together with them and ordered him to stay with Ruqayyah (RA) and nurse her through pronouncing: “You [Usman (RA)] will get preserve of the same reward and share (of the booty) as anyone of people who participated in the battle of Badr (if you live along with her).” (Bukhari: 3699) Usman (RA) obeyed willingly and stayed along with his wife Ruqayyah (RA). When she breathed her closing breaths, she changed into a longing to look at her Father (SAW) who had gone out to Badr. She departed this lifestyle but she did now not get to peer her Father (SAW) because he was in Badr with his noble Companions (RA), striving to make the word of Allah ultimate, and he did now not attend her burial. Her grieving husband, Usman (RA), buried his beloved spouse in Al-Baqee (the sacred graveyard of Muslims close to Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah). After returning victories from the Battle of Badr, Messenger (SAW) learned approximately the demise of his daughter Ruqayyah (RA), he went out to Al-Baqee and stood over the grave and prayed for forgiveness for her.

 His Marriage to Umm Kulsoom (RA) and her loss of life:

After the death of Ruqayyah (RA), Prophet Mohammad (SAW) married his daughter Umm Kulthom (RA) with Usman (RA) in three AH. According to assets, her actual call became Umayyah and she turned into older than Fatima (RA). As narrated through Abu Hurairah (RA) the Messenger of Allah (SAW) stood on the door of Masjid Al-Nabawi and said: “O Usman, Jibreel has knowledgeable me that Allah desires you to marry Umm Kulsoom for a dowry (Mehr) similar to that of Ruqayyah and to treat her with similar kindness.” (Ibn Majah: a hundred and ten) Usman (RA) and Umm Kulsoom (RA) got married in Jumada Al-Akhirah, 3 AH. After three days of their marriage, Prophet Mohammad (SAW) paid a visit to her daughter and asked: “O my daughter, how did you discover your husband (i-e Usman)? ” She said: “The first-class of husbands.” Umm Kulsoom (RA) stayed with Usman (RA) until her loss of life in Shaban, 9 AH. Prophet (SAW) presented the funeral prayer for her. Usman (RA) became deeply grieved by the loss of Umm Kulsoom (RA) and Prophet (SAW) noticed Usman (RA) walking damaged-hearted with signs of grief had been on his face. He (SAW) came to Usman (RA) and stated: “O Usman if we had a 3rd one, we might deliver her in marriage to you.” This is inductive of the affection of the Prophet Mohammad (SAW) for Usman (RA) and Usman’s (RA) loyalty and recognition towards his Prophet (SAW).

His Contribution for the Islamic State:

Usman (RA) become one of the richest of these on whom Allah Had bestowed wealth. He used his wealth in obedience to Allah. He changed into always first to do right and spent and he did now not worry about poverty. Among the various examples of his spending are the subsequent: 1. When the Prophet (SAW) got here to Madinah, the only source of freshwater turned into the nicely of Bir Rumah, and without fee, no one became allowed to drink water from the property. Usman (RA) offered the well from the proprietor (who become a jew) for twenty-thousand dirhams and donated it for the wealthy and terrible wayfarers. 2. In Madinah, Masjid Al-Nabawi became too small for the Muslims to even pray 5 times. Usman (RA) bought the land, after the mosque, for twenty-five or twenty thousand dirhams and this land changed into added to the mosque which they have become massive enough to deal with the Muslims. Three. He spent a huge amount on equipping the Muslim military for the campaign of Tabook.

Him at some point of Caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA):

When Messenger of Allah (SAW) died in eleven AH (632 AD), Abu Bakr (RA) changed into selected as Caliph. Usman (RA) became the first character, after Umar (RA), to offer his allegiance to Abu Bakr (RA) as Caliph. During Wars of Apostasy (Ridda Wars) at some stage in the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA), Usman (RA) remained in Madinah and acted as Abu Bakr’s (RA) adviser. On his deathbed, Abu Bakr Siddiq(RA) dictated his will to Usman (RA), saying that his successor changed into to be Umar (RA). During the caliphate of Umar (RA), the popularity of Usman (RA) became that of adviser and you can say that his position was like that of Umar (RA) to Abu Bakr (RA) throughout Abu Bakr’s (RA) caliphate. During Umar (RA) caliphate, Usman (RA) installed the device of preserving statistics of wealth spent and earned (the Diwan). Usman (RA) turned into the only one who advised Umar (RA) that he should make the Hijri Year (Islamic Calendar).

His Appointment as Caliph and Successor of Umar (RA):

 Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) on his demise bed fashioned a committee of six human beings to pick the subsequent Caliph from amongst themselves. This committee becomes Ali bin Abi Talib (RA), Usman ibn Affan (RA), Abdur Rahman bin Awf (RA), Saad ibn Abi Waqqas (RA), Al-Zubair (R.A), and Talhah (RA). The majority of the humans favored the election of Usman (RA). On the fourth day after the loss of life of Umar (RA) in 23 AH, Usman (RA) became elected as the 0.33 Caliph with the name ‘Amir Al-Muminin’ (The Prince of the Believers). When the oath of allegiance was sworn to Usman (RA) as caliph, he stood earlier than the people and declared his approach to ruling, explaining that he would comply with the tips of the Quran and Sunnah and observe inside the footsteps of the two Caliphs [i.E., Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA)]. He additionally said that he become going to run the humans' affairs with forbearance and wisdom, however, he would be given no compromise regarding punishments that need to be finished. Then, he warned them towards feeling content material with worldly things and being tempted with the aid of worldly minutiae, lest that cause them to compete with each other and stir up grudges and resentment among them, which might, in flip, lead to department and disunity.

Highlights of His Reign as Caliph:

Usman’s (RA) achievements, at some point of his reign as Caliph, are such a lot of. Following are some highlights of his accomplishments all through the tenure of his Caliphate (Khilafat):

Conquest:

The maximum crucial works of Usman (RA) are the conquest of Murrow, Turkey, and the growth of the Islamic State. In addition to the conquest of Alexandria after which Armenia, Caucasus, Khurasan, Kerman, Pakistan, Africa, and Cyprus. Expansion of Prophet’s

Mosque:

Usman (RA) elevated the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabawi) in 29-30 AH and has hooked up the first Islamic fleet to shield the Muslim beaches from the attacks of Byzantines.

Compilation of the Quran:

 One of the most essential achievements of Usman (RA) is the compilation of the Holy Quran, which become began inside the caliphate of Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA). Hudhaifah (RA) turned into very alarmed utilizing the variations within the recitation of the Quran of the Syrian and Iraqi humans. So Hudhaifah (RA) said to Usman (RA): “O Prince of Believers, shop this kingdom earlier than they vary regarding the Book (Quran) as the Jews and the Christians did.” Usman (RA) said: "Send us the manuscript so that we may additionally make copies of it, then we can move back it to you".  So Hafsah (RA), with whom the authentic manuscript of Quran becomes secure, despatched it to Usman (RA) and he ordered 4 of the Companions (RA) to make copies of it. They did that till they had made many copies then Usman (RA) back the manuscript to Hafsah (RA) and he sent a copied Book (Mushaf i-e Quran) to each reign and ordered that all different Quranic material, other than the sent copies, whether or not it became manuscripts or whole copies, be burnt.

Sedition:

 At the end of his reign and due to the enlargement of Islamic conquests and the presence of recent Muslims who did not take in the spirit of order and obedience, enemies of Islam, led by Jews, started to foment civil strife to undermine the team spirit of Muslims and their kingdom. They improve suspicions approximately the policy of Usman (RA) and incited the people in Egypt, Kufa, and Basra to rebellion. They deceived their fans to put in force their plan and met the caliph and requested him to give up. Usman (RA) referred to as them the meeting in the mosque with senior Companions (RA) and other human beings of the town and he refuted their unreliable gossip, and he spoke back their questions and pardoned them. Thus, they back to their country however they concealed malevolence and promised to return to the city to perform their plots, which had been decorated by way of the Jew Abdullah bin Saba, who pretended Islam. His

Martyrdom:

In Shawwal, 35 AH, the turmoil came about and the incorrect-doers besieged Usman (RA) in his home (forty days) and prevented him from praying within the mosque or even from water. But whilst he noticed some of the Companions (RA) that had organized to fight them he avoided that fight as he did now not need to drop the blood of a Muslim for his sake. Then the conspirators broke into his residence from the returned (from the house of Abu Hazm Al-Ansari) and attacked him as he changed into reading the Holy Quran. His spouse Naila (RA) tried to guard him, but they beat her with the sword, reducing off her fingers. The rebels killed him (RA) and his blood spilled onto the Quran. He was martyred at the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah 35AH (17 June, 656 AD), and he changed into buried at Al-Baqee [sacred graveyard of Muslims near Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabawi)] in Madinah.