Usman Bin Affan (RA) - The Third Rashidun Caliph

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Usman bin Affan (RA) was a companion and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He also became the third Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate after the martyrdom of the second Caliph Umar (RA). Usman is famous for his generosity, which earned him the title of Ghani (the generous). He married two daughters of Muhammad (PBUH): Ruqayyah (RA) and Umm-e-Kulsum (RA). Due to this, he is also known as Zul-Nourain (Possessor of Two Lights). He was the last Islamic ruler with Madinah as Capital. His martyrdom during his caliphate began the division among Muslims, which even prevails today.

Early Life

Usman (RA) was born in Makkah in 577 AD in the Bani Umayyad clan of the Quraysh tribe. His father’s name was Affan bin al-As while his mother was Urwa bint Kariz, a cousin of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Usman (RA) was a successful merchant and one of the wealthiest among the Makkans.

Life as a Muslim

Usman was a close friend of Abu Bakr (RA). In 611 AD, he accepted Islam after a discussion with Abu Bakr (RA), who had already accepted Islam. He was among the earliest Muslims, and very few people before him converted to Islam.

In 614 AD, he and his wife Ruqayya (RA) migrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) during the First Migration to Abyssinia. Later, they both returned with several others to Makkah upon hearing the false news of the acceptance of Islam by Quraysh. They then stayed in Makkah and didn’t travel again during the Second Migration to Abyssinia. In 622 AD, Usman (RA) and Ruqayya (RA) migrated to Madinah along with other Muslims.

Life in Madinah

His business also flourished in Madinah, and he again became wealthy. He generously spent his wealth on the service of Islam and Muslims. He bought a well Roma for Muslims, which eradicated the problem of shortage of water. During the Battle of Tabouk in 630 AD, Usman (RA) gave 1,000 dinars and the expenses for 1000 camels and 70 horses. He also gave the dowry for the marriage of Ali (RA) and Fatima (RA).

He took part in all the major battles except the Battle of Badr due to the sickness of his wife Ruqayya (RA) bint Muhammad (PBUH). 

In 6 AH, Muhammad (PBUH) went with his 1400 companions toward Makkah to perform Umrah, but the Quraysh didn’t permit them. The prophet (PBUH) sent Usman (RA) to the Makkans to inform them that they only came for the ritual pilgrimage (Umrah) and that they should be permitted to enter Makkah. Usman remained inside Makkah for a long time, and the Muslims thought he lost his life to Quraysh. Muhammad (PBUH) decided to take revenge for Usman’s death and took a pledge from all the Muslims. It is known as the Pledge of the Tree. Later, they got information that Usman (RA) was alive, and the two parties signed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

He remained an advisor of the first two caliphs, Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA), and was very close to them.  

Caliphate of Usman (RA)

Umar (RA) made a committee of six persons before his martyrdom to decide on the new Caliph. These include Usman bin Affan, Ali bin Abi Talib, Saad bin Abi Waqqas, Abdul Rahman bin Awf, Zubayr bin al-Awam, and Talhah bin Ubaidullah. Talhah voted for Ali, while Saad, Zubayr, and Abdul Rahman favored Usman. Later, all committee members decided unanimously to choose Usman as the third Caliph. His caliphate started in 644 AD (24 AH).

Usman’s caliphate was a successful one, militarily and politically. He successfully crushed the rebellions and re-conquered the areas of Fars, Khorasan, Tabaristan, Sistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Egypt, etc. He also conquered some areas of North Africa (today’s Libya), Baluchistan (Pakistan), southern Transoxiana (modern Uzbekistan), and Afghanistan. He also formed the Muslim Navy, which conquered the islands of Cyprus and Rhodes from the Byzantine Empire. 

Riot against Usman (RA)

The first six years of Usman (RA) were peaceful, with internal prosperity and military achievements. However, a secret rebellion flourished during the second half of his rule due to his softness and leniency. Few people, especially from Iraq and Egypt, showed their sentiments against Caliph Usman (RA). Their leader was Abdullah bin Saba, a notorious person and a Jew who falsely accepted Islam to accomplish his evil deeds. 

They initially wrote secret letters to prominent personalities about the alleged atrocities and misuse of the treasury by the governors of different provinces. Later, they laid various allegations against Usman and demanded his resignation from the caliphate based on these allegations. They also propagated the right of rule for the family of the Prophet (PBUH) to impress the ahl-al-bayt (family members of the Prophet (PBUH)), especially Ali (RA). Several people from the conquered lands (Iraq and Egypt) joined them. 

On seeing this, Usman (RA) invited the leaders of the rioters in Makkah during the Hajj of 655 AD to investigate their allegations. The rebels presented their complaints, which were either false or of less importance, and Usman answered them so reasonably that everyone accepted his defense. It made the rioters believe that they would not be able to make anybody fool with these allegations anymore. They decided to come to Madinah next year at the same time as most people would be in Makkah to perform Hajj. 

Martyrdom of Usman (RA)

They came in large numbers from Egypt and Iraq (Kufa and Basra) during the Hajj season in 656 AD, surrounded the house of Usman (RA), and demanded his resignation. The rioters also tried to convince prominent companions, Ali (RA), Zubair (RA), and Talha (RA), but they refused to help them. Usman (RA) rejected their demand but didn’t allow the people of Madinah to fight against them to prevent bloodshed. It made the insurgents brave, and they tried to enter his house. However, the resistance of Hussain bin Ali (RA), Abdullah bin Zubair (RA), and others failed their efforts. Later, they reached Usman (RA) through the back wall of his house and martyred him. It was the 18th of Zulhijjah 35AH (656 AD). Usman (RA) was later buried secretly in Jannat-al-Baqi, Madinah. 

Place in Islamic History

Usman (RA) was a prominent personality in Islamic History. He served Islam with his wealth and extended the borders during his caliphate to far-flung areas of North Africa, Baluchistan (Pakistan), and southern parts of Central Asia. His martyrdom was a success for the enemies of Islam, which initiated the First Fitna (First Civil War) in the state. It created division among Muslims that is prevailing still today.

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