Hazrat Usman

DURING THE PROPHET’S LIFETIME

Usman belonged to the powerful clan of Banu Umayya of the Quraish. He was modest and honest since his childhood and abstained from corrupt practices such as gambling and drinking even before Islam. He was a trader and soon became a wealthy person. He was known as Ghani (the generous one). He was literate as well. He became a Muslim on Abu Bakr’s invitation and was one of the earliest converts. He is counted amongst the 10 blessed companions, was a scribe and later became the third Caliph of Islam.

Soon after his conversion he married Ruqqaya, the divorced daughter of the Prophet. He faced persecution in Makkah and migrated to Abyssinia along with his wife with the first batch of emigrants. He remained there for some years and then returned to Makkah. As the persecutions increased he again migrated with his wife, this time to Medina. After his wife died in 2A.H, he married the Prophet’s widowed daughter Umm-e-Kalsum. This earned him the title of ‘Zun Nurrain’ (the possessor of two lights). Being a wealthy man, he generously donated his wealth to the poor amongst both Mahajirin and Ansar. He purchased a piece of land according to the wish of the Holy Prophet in order to extend the Prophet’s mosque. He would purchase a slave from his master and set him free on every Friday. He actively participated in all the battles led by the Prophet except Badr, due to the illness of his wife Ruqayya. He donated generously in the battle of Tabuk. He accompanied the Prophet in the journey towards Hudaibiya. He was sent to Makkah to hold talks with the Quraish, but a rumour was spread of his murder, as he had to stay longer than expected. The Prophet on hearing the news took a pledge from his companions to avenge Usman’s blood. This historic pledge was became known as Bait-e-Rizwan. Usman returned safe, but the whole episode reflects his importance and the Prophet’s love for him.

Usman was a prominent figure during the Prophet’s life and during the Caliphate of the first two Caliphs until he himself became a Caliph. The Prophet used to pray: ‘’O God! I am pleased with Usman. I beseech (beg) you to be pleased with him.’’ Modesty was his most prominent feature and the Holy Prophet once said: ‘’Even the angels of God envy the modesty of Usman’’. Usman was murdered by conspirators in 35 AH and is buried in Jannat-ul-Baqi.

ELECTION:

·        Umar nominated Ali, Talha, Zubair, Usman, Abdur Rehman bin Auf and Saad bin Abi Waqas. All were one of the 10 blessed companions.

·        Umar’s choice was Abdur Rehman but he was not willing to shoulder the responsibility.

·        Talha was not in Medina so the choice was now restricted to the remaining four.

·        It was decided that as Abdur Rehman had stepped down, therefore he should choose the next Caliph.

·        He consulted each one individually; Ali chose Usman and Usman chose Ali, Saad supported Usman while Zubair mentioned both Usman and Ali.

·        He asked the opinion of other prominent men as well and came to the conclusion that the majority favoured Usman.

·        Abdur Rehman first took the pledge of allegiance followed by Ali and other companions and then there was a general pledge.

·        He became the 3^rd Caliph on the 4^th of Muharram 24 AH.

MAIN ACTIVITIES DURING HIS CALIPHATE (expansion + administration):

·        During the early years, the process of expansion of the Empire continued. The army moved in all directions and for the first time in Islamic history, utilized naval power. During his Caliphate, for the first time a fleet of nearly 500 ships was built to fight with the Greeks on the Mediterranean Sea.

·        His earliest focus was the Persian Empire in the East. Khurasan, Merv, Tus, Sarakhs and then Khawarzim were captured in 650 AD. This bought 40,000 captives and rich booty to Medina.

·        Towards the West, the Byzantines forces were defeated and Cyprus was conquered in 649 AD.

·        In North Africa, Libya, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were conquered by the middle of the 7^th century.

·        In 651 AD, the standardization of the Quran on the basis of Mushaf-e-Hafsa was done. Recitation on the model of only this copy was allowed and the rest burnt. Official copies dispatched to all provincial capitals. Two of the original manuscripts of his time exist even today.

·        Continued to improve on the administrative network laid down by the previous Caliphs. Regrouped some of the provinces and created new provinces for the newly conquered territories.

·        Majlis-e-Shoora or council of consultation was maintained. Held periodic conferences of the district authorities in order to keep himself informed of the conditions of the country. Used to hear public complaints after Friday prayers.

·        He allowed Arabs to acquire agricultural lands in the conquered territories.

·        Expanded the Prophet’s mosque. Constructed new mosques, inns, border outposts etc.

·        Made arrangements for the supply of drinking water for travellers by digging wells by the sides of roads and highways.

·        A dam was built to protect Medina from floods. Raised the salaries of the officers and the armed forces. Increased the allowances paid to people by 25%.

·        Is said to have sent religious teachers to India to spread Islam.

DIFFICULTIES:

·        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.

·        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.

CHARGES AGAINST HIM:

·        One of the main allegations against him was that he had appointed his inefficient relatives as governors. There were 12 provinces in the country and he appointed his relatives in 4: Egypt, Syria, Kufa and Basra.

·        All the governors appointed by him were people of great calibre. Ameer Muaviya, a relative of his was appointed by Umar as the governor of Syria and Usman let him continue his job because he was doing it well.

·        Abdullah bin Saad, his foster brother, was appointed governor of Egypt also by Umar.

·        Usman appointed Saad bin Abi Waqqas as governor of Kufa. When he was unable to control the situation there, he was replaced by Walid bin Uqba (Usman’s foster brother) who proved his worth.

·        Abu Musa Ashari was deposed at the demand of the people of Basra. Was replaced by Abdullah bin Amir (Usman’s cousin) according to the wishes of the people. He proved very successful.

·        Thus none of the governors appointed by him proved a failure.

·        It was also alleged that he was too lenient and did not keep a check on his governors. He, unlike Umar, gave the governors a free hand in running the provinces and did not interfere in their day to day affairs. 

·        His burning of the Qur’an was seen by some as destroying God’s Word. This was done after consultation with the other companions and it was a great service that he rendered to Islam.

·        He gave a convincing reply to each of the charges in the presence of the Prophet’s companions. His explanation was accepted.

·        The rebels however stuck to one point—their demand to depose the Caliph.

·        To achieve this end, finally in 35 AH troops from Egypt, Kufa and Basra marched to Medina and encamped outside the capital.

·        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.

MAJOR EVENTS:

·        Expansion, mention the areas conquered.

·        Naval fleet.

·        Compilation.

·        Because of compilation and appointing relatives as governors led to several uprisings.

·        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.

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.

·        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, 18^th of Zil Hajj 35 AH.

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 4^th 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.

SIGNIFICANCE:

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ROLE MODEL FOR TODAY:

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JUNE 2006

4 (a) Write an account of the main activities of Hazrat `Uthman

(i)                During the lifetime of the Prophet, [6]

(ii)             During his caliphate. [6]

(b) Explain why Hazrat `Uthman encountered difficulties in the latter years of his caliphate and was assassinated. [4]

(a) (i) • He was one of the first converts.

• He experienced persecution for his faith.

• He married the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayya.

• With her he migrated to Abyssinia.

• He migrated to Madina.

• He did not take part in the Battle of Badr because of his sick wife.

• When Ruqayya died, he was given her sister Umm Kulthum as wife.

• He acted as the Prophet’s ambassador to Quraysh when the Muslims neared Makka.

• He contributed his wealth to pay for expeditions, particularly Tabuk.

(ii) • He continued the policy of expanding Muslim territory.

• The empire expanded into Persia, Armenia and North Africa.

• He placed relatives in important positions of control.

• He requested an authentic version of the Qur’an.

• He ordered Zayd Ibn Thabit to lead the compilation of this.

• He destroyed all other copies.

• His rule caused disquiet and led to several uprisings.

(b) • His appointment of family members was seen as favouritism.

• His destruction of the Qur’an was seen by some as destroying God’s Word.

• Some Muslims questioned his ability to rule.

• He pacified a force from Egypt by making concessions, but sent word to have them killed on their return home.

• They returned to Madina and killed him.

JUNE 2008

4 (a) Write about:

(i) Abu Bakr’s conquest of the false prophets

(ii) `Uthman’s arrangements to make a collection of the Qur’an. [2x5]

(b) Explain why these two caliphs thought it was important to take these actions. [2x3]

(a) (i)

• One of the problems facing Abu Bakr was a number of people in Arabia who claimed to be prophets like Muhammad

• The main ones were Musaylima among the Hanifa tribes in Yamama, Tulayha among the tribes of Asad and Ghatafan, al-Aswad al-Ansi in the Yemen and Sajdah among the Tamim tribe [1 mark for all four names; 1 extra mark for details about each]

• He sent forces against all of them

• The fighting against Musaylima was most fierce: in the battle of Yamama many memorizers of the Qur’an were killed

(ii)

• `Uthman discovered that in parts of the empire people were following different versions of the Qur’an

• He ordered all copies of the Qur’an to be destroyed

• He invited Zayd Ibn Thabit and a group of Muslims to compile an authentic copy of the text

• They took great care, consulting widely and checking the text against memories

• They referred to the collection in the keeping of Hafsa

• `Uthman had copies made and distributed these to the major centres

(b) [In each case allow 1 mark for a basic explanatory comment (not description); 1 extra mark for a further comment that shows fuller understanding; and the third mark for complete explanations]

The false prophets threatened the uniqueness of the Prophet Muhammad

Their claims suggested that Muhammad was not the last prophet sent from God

Unless they were overthrown Islam could not uphold its claims

If variant readings were allowed the message of the Qur’an might be obscured

These readings threatened the purity of God’s instructions

If they were allowed to continue the community might be split over different teachings

JUNE 2010

3 (a) what major events took place during the caliphate of ‘Uthman? [10]

‘Uthman was the third caliph. He continued the policy of expanding the Islamic territories. He expanded the state towards the east and in the Mediterranean and crushed many rebellions.

Details of areas conquered and rebellions put down could be given here. The first Muslim naval fleet was built during the reign of ‘Uthman. It was ‘Uthman who during his term as caliph ordered a full edition of the Qur’an to be made and for this appointed Zayd Ibn Thabit to lead the compilation. He ordered all unofficial copies of the Qur’an to be burnt. Some candidates may well discuss that it was because of this action of his and the charge that he had appointed inefficient relatives as governors that his rule caused disquiet and led to several uprisings. They could go on to mention the uprisings in Iraq, Kufa and Egypt and say how finally in 35 AH troops from all three provinces arrived at Medina to take their complaints directly to the caliph.

(b) Explain why ‘Uthman encountered difficulties in the later years of his caliphate and was assassinated. [4]

His appointment of family members in important positions was regarded as favouritism. The burning of the copies of the Qur’an to be replaced by the official version prepared by Zayd Ibn Thabit was seen as destroying the word of Allah. Yet another reason was that some Muslims questioned his ability to rule. To get to the higher level of marks the candidates must write about his assassination as well. Here the stronger candidates could state that after ‘Uthman had pacified the Egyptians they were on their way home when they got a hold of a letter supposedly from ‘Uthman 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. Evaluation of some of the points discussed above is needed to get to the top levels.