Hazrat Usman (RA)
Hazrat Usman (RA) is the third caliph of Islam. His father name was Affan and his mother name was Arwah. And he was born 43 years before the migration of the prophet (SAW) in Makkah. Hazrat Usman had some great habits and specifications even before he turned to Islam. He was known as one of the high-reputed persons of his tribe, Banu Ummayya, and all the Arabs of Makkah respected him for his kind and generous nature.
Furthermore, he is famous for his nickname Dhu Noorain ((ذُوْالنُورَیْن which means the owner of two lights. This is because he had married two daughters of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) called Hazrat Ruqqyah (RA) and Hazrat Ummu Kulthum (RA).
He was a close friend to Hazrat Abu Bakr Seddiq. So, when Abu Bakr Seddiq became a Muslim, he called Usman (RA) to the religion of Islam. After a short conversation with Abu Bakr Seddiq (RA), Hazrat Usman (RA) converted to Islam, and left the false and blind way of worshiping idles. In addition, he started to participate in Dawah and call other people to Islam.
But doing this, he faced many troubles and obstacles from the pagans of Makkah. Therefore, he migrated to Habsha (Ethiopia). When the prophet of Allah (SAW) ordered all the Muslims to migrate to Medina, he also migrated to Medina and joined the prophet (SAW) and other Muslims there. In Madani life, he showed his strong faith on Allah (SWT) and his orders, and participated in all the battles against the pagans except the battle of Badr. Because, at that time, his wife and the daughter of prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Ruqqyah was ill, and he had to watch over her.
In 9th year of the migration, when the prophet of Allah SAW) had to lead the Muslims, and fight against the biggest empire of the time, the Roman Empire, Muslims were in a harsh and tough condition. They were facing lack of weapons, rides and food to invest in this battle. Therefore, the prophet (SAW) asked all the Muslims for help and support, and to afford any of these things according to their strength and financial state. In this tough situation, Hazrat Usman (RA) was the one who provided 300 rides for the Islamic army, and 1000 Dirham cash for other expenses of the battle. The prophet (SAW) took the Dirhams in his hands, and said: nothing (no deed) will haram Usman after it.
Caliphate of Hazrat Usman (RA)
After the death of Hazrat Omer (RA), Muslims had to elect one of the six Suhabah named Hazrat Usman (RA), Hazrat Ali (RA), Hazrat Abdurrahman Ibn Auf (RA), Hazrat Saad Ibn Ibi Waqqas (RA), Hazrat Talha Ibn Ubaidullah and Hazrat Zubair Ibn Al- Awam. And after three days of counseling and conversation among the Suhabah, Hazrat Usman (RA) was elected as the caliph of the believers. This was 24th of Hijri equivalent to 655 AD.
The beginning years of Usmanian caliphate were as normal and full of conquests as the caliphate of Hazrat Omer (RA) and Hazrat Abu Bakr Seddiq (RA). Muslims conquered some remaining parts of the Roman Empire, some parts of Khorasan nowadays called Afghanistan and Armenia. During it, Hazrat Usman (RA) changed some the commanders and leaders of the Islamic cities and provinces.
He also brought some improvements and reformation in the social, political and religious areas of the Muslim community. In 26th Hijri, when the number of Muslims increased, they were not able to pray in the Masjeed Al- Nabawee, Hazrat Usman (RA), bought some lands located in the neighborhood of the Masjeed and joined them with it. Furthermore, during the caliphate of Hazrat Usman (RA), all the copies of Quran available at that time were gathered, and among them, the most famous accent of Qureshi accent was selected, and sent to all Islamic lands. Hazrat Usman (RA) took this action because some Arabic tribes were insisting to recite the Quran in their accent, and therefore, it was leading to a controversy between the Muslims.
The first 6 or 7 years of his caliphate were full of peace and progress, but after that, some rebellions in faraway areas of Islamic state were arisen. And these revolts got bigger with time, and ended with the death of the third caliph of Islam, Hazrat Usman (RA). He was killed so harshly and wildly on 8th of Dhul Hajja, 35 Hijri at his home while he was reciting the holy Quran. At that time, his age was 82 years.
Some of his Precious Speeches:
*It is wondering for a human that believes on death, and still laughs.
*Slipping of tongue is more dangerous than slipping of steps.
*Silence is the best remedy of wrath.
*Coming of poor people to your door is a gift from Allah (SWT)
Rank and Reward of Hazrat Usman (RA)
Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Omer (RA) narrates that in the life time of the prophet (SAW), we were used to say: Rasulullah (SAW), Abu Bakr, Omer and Usman.
This means we (Muslims) respected and gave high rank to Hazrat Usman (RA) after the prophet Muhammad (SAW), Hazrat Abu Bakr, and Omer (RA).