Khalifa Hazrat Usman (R.A) – The Third Caliph of Islam
Introduction
Among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), few names shine with the softness and generosity of Hazrat Usman ibn Affan (R.A). He was the third Caliph of Islam, a man of deep modesty, immense wealth spent freely for Allah, and unwavering loyalty to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The Prophet loved him so much that he said even the angels feel shy before Usman because of his modesty (Sahih Muslim).
Usman (R.A) was one of the ten companions promised Paradise during their lifetimes, known as the Asharah Mubasharah. In this article, we will walk through his life: his early years, his acceptance of Islam, his unique honour of marrying two daughters of the Prophet (peace be upon him), his legendary generosity, his caliphate, his great service of compiling the Quran, and his martyrdom.
Early Life and Acceptance of Islam
Usman (R.A) was born in Makkah into the wealthy and respected Umayyad clan of the Quraysh. He was known even before Islam for his honesty, gentle manners, and clean character. Unlike many of his time, he never worshipped idols and never drank alcohol, even in the days of ignorance.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him) began calling people to Islam, Usman (R.A) was among the very first to respond. Through the preaching of Abu Bakr (R.A), he accepted Islam in its earliest days, becoming one of the first handful of believers. His family opposed him, and his own uncle tied him up and tortured him to make him leave Islam — but Usman (R.A) remained firm and refused to turn back.
When persecution in Makkah grew severe, Usman (R.A) migrated twice for the sake of Allah: first to Abyssinia with his wife Ruqayyah, and later to Madinah. He is therefore known as the possessor of two migrations as well.
Dhun-Nurayn: The Possessor of Two Lights
Usman (R.A) received an honour given to no other man in history. He married Ruqayyah (R.A), the daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him). When she passed away during the days of the Battle of Badr, the Prophet (peace be upon him) then married him to his other daughter, Umm Kulthum (R.A). Because he married two daughters of the Prophet, Usman (R.A) became known as Dhun-Nurayn — the Possessor of Two Lights.
This double bond with the Prophet’s family shows the trust and love the Prophet (peace be upon him) had for him. The Prophet said about him: “Should I not feel shy before a man whom the angels feel shy before?” (Sahih Muslim)
His Famous Generosity
Usman (R.A) was a successful and wealthy merchant, but his wealth was always at the service of Islam. Two examples of his generosity are remembered by every Muslim generation.
The first is the Well of Rumah. When the Muslims migrated to Madinah, good drinking water was scarce. A well owned by a man was selling water at a high price. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever buys the well and shares its water freely would earn Paradise. Usman (R.A) bought the well for a large sum and opened it for all people, rich and poor, free of charge. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “May Allah forgive Usman; what a blessed man.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
The second is the Army of Tabuk. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) prepared the difficult expedition to Tabuk, the Muslim community was passing through a time of hardship and drought. Usman (R.A) stepped forward and equipped a huge portion of the army, providing camels, horses, and gold from his own wealth. The Prophet (peace be upon him), overjoyed, said: “Nothing that Usman does after today will harm him.” (Sunan Tirmidhi) He repeated these words again and again.
He also funded the expansion of Masjid Nabawi, buying the land around it with his own money so the Prophet’s mosque could grow.
Becoming the Third Caliph
After the martyrdom of Umar (R.A), a council of six senior companions was formed to choose the next caliph. After careful consultation, the community pledged allegiance to Usman (R.A) in 644 CE (23 AH). He was around seventy years old when he took this heavy responsibility.
His caliphate lasted about twelve years — the first six were marked by peace, prosperity, and expansion; the last six were troubled by unrest and fitnah stirred by rebels and misunderstandings. Through it all, Usman (R.A) refused to shed the blood of Muslims to protect his own position.
Compilation of the Quran
The greatest service of Usman (R.A) to Islam — after the Prophet’s own generation — was the compilation of the Quran into one standard text. During his caliphate, Islam spread far beyond Arabia to Persia, Armenia, and beyond. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman (R.A) noticed that people from different regions were beginning to differ in their recitation of the Quran, and he urged Usman (R.A) to act before serious disagreement spread.
Usman (R.A) borrowed the original sheets of the Quran preserved with Hafsah (R.A), the widow of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and appointed a committee headed by Zayd ibn Thabit (R.A) to prepare official copies in the Qurayshi dialect. These master copies were sent to the major cities of the Muslim world, and differing personal copies were respectfully retired so that the Ummah would remain united on one text.
This is why the Quran recited today, all over the world, is often called the Usmani Mushaf. Every Muslim who reads the Quran — in any century, in any country — is benefiting from the decision of Usman (R.A).
Expansion of the Caliphate
Under Usman (R.A), the borders of the Islamic state expanded remarkably. Muslim armies completed the conquest of Persia, advanced into Armenia and parts of Central Asia, and moved across North Africa. Cyprus was conquered, and the first Muslim navy was established under Muawiyah (R.A) in Syria — a major step that protected the coasts of the Muslim world. Usman (R.A) also appointed governors, organized the administration of the growing state, extended the Prophet’s Mosque and the Kaaba’s surrounding area, and maintained stipends and records begun under Umar (R.A).
His Martyrdom
In his final years, rebels from Egypt, Kufa, and Basra marched to Madinah with grievances, many of them based on rumours and forged letters. They besieged the house of the elderly caliph for weeks. Usman (R.A) forbade his supporters from fighting, saying he did not want the blood of any Muslim shed for his sake. He refused to step down from a position the Prophet (peace be upon him) had foretold he would hold with truth.
On a Friday in 656 CE (35 AH), while he was fasting and reciting the Quran in his home, the rebels broke in and martyred him. He was around eighty-two years old. Drops of his blood fell upon the open mushaf before him — a fitting end for the man who had dedicated his life and wealth to the Book of Allah.
Conclusion
The life of Hazrat Usman (R.A) teaches us generosity without show, modesty in power, patience in trial, and love for the Quran. He gave his wealth for Islam when Islam was weak, and he gave his life rather than divide the Ummah when Islam was strong. May Allah be pleased with him, the possessor of two lights, and gather us with him in Paradise.
