THE MAGNIFICENCE OF HAZRAT UTHMAN e GANI (RADI ALLAAHU ANHU)-THE THIRD CALIPH (KHALIFAH) OF ISLAM
It is the belief (aqeeda) of the Ahlus Sunnah Wa Jama'ah that all the companions (sahaaba)(Radi Allaahu Anhum) were pious and are jannati. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, 'every prophet has a companion in Paradise, my companion there is Uthman'.
(Ibn Majah)
Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was generous, always willing to help, and had a sense of modesty and shyness.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
'shyness helps to maintain correct behaviour and uphold proper values- it is a good deed'.
'should I not feel shy from Uthman, to whom the angels shy from'.
'shyness is one of the qualities of faith (imaan)'.
'there is none better in shyness than Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu)'.
(Bukhari)
In the month of Dhu al Qadah, the sixth year of migration (hijrat), Prophet Muhammad ﷺ left Madina for Mecca to perform Umrah, accompanied by his companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum). Prophet ﷺ was informed of the hostile threats from the infidels of Mecca. As a result, Prophet ﷺ decided to camp at a place called Hudaibiyah, and deputed Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) to proceed to Mecca, and inform the infidels of Mecca that their purpose of visit was to perform Umrah only-not to battle. During the negotiating visit to Mecca, Hazrat Uthman(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was offered to perform Umrah, but they insisted that Prophet ﷺ would not be allowed into Mecca. Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) rejected the offer outright with the remarks: 'How can I perform Umrah without Prophet Muhammad ﷺ', which displays his level of faith.
Hazrat Uthman e Gani is also known as the one with two bayets. i.e. he made pledge of allegiance twice to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One is bayet e Islam. i.e. pledge of allegiance when he accepted Islam. The second is bayet e rizwan. In Hudaibiyah, during the journey for Umrah, when Hazrat Uthman's absence was prolonged whilst negotiating with the infidels of Mecca, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ asked his companions to do bayet- this oath was for the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) to avail themselves immediately if need arose for a battle. This bayet was not for the revenge for the rumoured martyrdom of Hazrat Usman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu). On this occasion, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ placed one of his hands on his other hand and took bayet on behalf of Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
Hazrat Uthman e Gani is also known as the one who migrated twice (two hijrat). Because of the persecution of the infidels in Mecca, the first migration (hijrat) was from Mecca to Habshah (Abyssinia), and the second was from Mecca to Madina. Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) migrated both the times. Prophet ﷺ said, 'after Lut(alaihis salaam), Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) is the first person to migrate with the family'.
Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was given the glad tidings of being a jannati on two occasions. During the campaign for the Battle of Tabuk, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ urged the companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) to make donations to outfit the troops. Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) gave three hundred camels loaded with all the necessities. Prophet ﷺ gave him the glad tidings of being a jannati on this occasion.
When Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) migrated to Madina, he learned the Muslims were having difficulty with drinking water. The Muslims had to travel three miles to the 'well of Ruma', which belonged to a Jew. The water was fresh and pleasant to drink. The Jew used to sell the water cheap to the Jews, but at high prices to the Muslims. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ announced in Masjid Nabawi that whoever buys this well from the Jew and gifts it to the Muslims, will be given the glad tidings of being a jannati. Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) bought this well and gifted it to the Muslims. For the second time, Prophet ﷺ gave him the glad tidings of being a jannati.
Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) was also known as Zunnurain- the possessor of two lights. He was married to two of the daughters of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . Prophet ﷺ got his daughter Hazrat Ruqaiya(Radi Allaahu Anha) to Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu). She passed away of an illness and Prophet ﷺ then got her sister Hazrat Umme Kulsoom(Radi Allaahu Anha) to marry Hazrat Uthman(Radi Allaahu Anhu). When she passed away, Prophet ﷺ said, 'if I would have another daughter, I would have married her with Uthman'. (Mishkat).
Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu) Ibn Affan was martyred on 18th of Dhul Hijjah. He was delivering a sermon in Masjid Nabawi when the rebels stopped him from delivering the sermon, and leading the prayers. He was put under house arrest with no food and water for forty days. On 18th of Dhul Hijjah, the rebels forced into his house and martyred him whilst he was reciting The Holy Quran. He was eighty years of age at the time.
It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ refused to offer funeral (janaza) prayer for those people who had jealousy and animosity for Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu).
(Trimidhi)
This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
