A Brief Biography of Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA

Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA embraced Islam in the very early days of Islam through the counselling of Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA. Saiyidina Uthman RA was married to Ruqayyah RA, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Due to the unbearable torture of the Quraysh, the early Muslims of that time made Mashuarah, and Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA and his wife Ruqayyah RA migrated to Abyssinia . This was the first Muslim family which migrated in the Path of Allah.

Later, upon hearing that the situation in Makkah was not as bad as before, they returned to Makkah. Unfortunately, within some time, the Disbelievers increased their torture upon the Muslims. Thus, the couple migrated to Madinah.

During the time of the Battle of Badr, Saiyidina Uthman RA's wife - Ruqayyah RA became very ill, and passed away. At that time, the Prophet Muhammad SAW was away participating in the Battle of Badr.

After some time, the Prophet Muhammad SAW, upon being pleased with Saiyidina Uthman RA - married him to his (SAW) other daughter - Umm Kulthum RA, who is the second daughter of the Holy Prophet SAW. This is Saiyidina Uthman bin Affan RA was given the unique title of - "Dhun-Nurain" (The Possessor of Two Lights).

Saiyidina Uthman RA had been appointed by the Prophet Muhammad SAW to write and record the revelations of the Holy Qur'an throughout his (SAW) lifetime. Saiyidina Uthman RA participated in many campaigns and was responsible for many conquests to allow the Islamic state extended. Due to the enormous expansion of the Islamic state, various groups were reciting the Holy Qur'an in different ways. Saiydina Uthman RA was endowed with the understanding of the Qur'an and memorised the text by heart. He also had an excellent understanding of it. Thus, Saiyidina Uthman RA ordered to distribute copies of the Qur'an compiled during the time of Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA and destroyed all the others.

Once, several Muslim tribes of Madinah had great difficulty in finding water for their daily use. In solving this hardship, Saiyidina Uthman RA bought a well called "Bir Rumah" from a Jew, and this was for the use of the Muslims. This was the first non-profit Islamic trust in Islam. Saiyidina Uthman RA donated very generously during the various campaigns and expeditions of the Muslims at that time. For the Battle of Tabuk, otherwise known as the Campaign of Hardship - Saiyidina Uthman RA donated immensely. The Prophet Muhammad SAW gave Saiyidina Uthman RA the glad tidings of Paradise for his noble acts.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was later chosen as the third Caliph from the advisory council appointed by Saiyidina Umar RA.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was responsible for extending the Prophet Muhammad SAW's Mosque twice during his period as Caliph of the Muslims. An interesting point to note is that where the present Imam leads the Solat in Masjid Nabawi today is the same spot where Saiyidina Uthman RA used to stand and lead as Imam.

The third Caliph of Islam RA made many contributions to Islam in many ways. Unfortunately, he became a victim of the conspiracies of Ibn Saba, a Jewish hypocrite with whom some disgruntled Muslims cooperated with. The culprits murdered Saiyidina Uthman RA when he was reciting the Qur'an in his house. The house of Saiyidina Uthman RA at that time was located outside the door of Baqee.

Saiyidina Uthman RA was 82 years old at the time of his martyrdom. He did not fight his opponent since it would cause bloodshed among Muslims. He chose to rather sacrifice his own life for Allah's sake. Allahu Akbar. Infact, his martyrdom was predicted by the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW.

It has been narrated that once the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW went to Mount Uhud with his Companions RA - Saiyidina Abu Bakr RA, Saiyidina Umar RA and Saiyidina Uthman RA. The mountain started trembling.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW tapped the mountain with his foot and said:

"Stop trembling, because there is a Prophet, a Siddiq and two Martyrs (i.e. Saiyidina Umar RA and Saiyidina Uthman RA) standing on you. The mountain stopped trembling immediately."

May Allah SWT give us the ability to take heed from the lives of the Khulafa-Ar-Rashideen.

May Allah SWT also give us the ability to live our lives according to the way taught by the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Ameen.