Virtues of ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه — In the Light of Hadith

It is narrated from Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari رضي الله عنه that he said: I was with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in one of the gardens of Madinah when a man came and asked for the gate to be opened. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Open the gate for him and give him glad tidings of Jannah.” I opened the gate and it was Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه. I conveyed to him the glad tidings as instructed by the Prophet ﷺ, and he praised Allah. Then another man came and asked for the gate to be opened. The Prophet ﷺ again said: “Open the gate for him and give him glad tidings of Jannah.” I opened the gate and it was ‘Umar رضي الله عنه. When he heard the glad tidings, he also praised and glorified Allah. Then a third man came and asked for the gate to be opened. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Open the gate for him and give him glad tidings of Jannah after the trials and afflictions that will befall him.” He was ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه. When I informed him of the statement of the Prophet ﷺ, he praised Allah and said: Allah is the One whose help is sought. (Sahih Bukhari)

It is narrated from ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Samurah رضي الله عنه that when the Prophet ﷺ prepared the army for Tabuk, ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه came with one thousand dinars in his garment and placed them in the lap of the Prophet ﷺ. I saw the Prophet ﷺ turning them over in his lap and saying: “Nothing will harm ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه after what he has done today. Nothing will harm ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه after what he has done today.” (Musnad Ahmad)

It is narrated from Anas رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, and ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه climbed Mount Uhud, and the mountain began to tremble. The Prophet ﷺ struck it with his foot and said: “Be firm, for upon you is a Prophet ﷺ, a Siddiq, and two martyrs.” (Sahih Bukhari)

It is narrated from Thumamah ibn Hazn رضي الله عنه that he said: I was present on the day when ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه looked down at the people from the roof of his house (when rebels intended to assassinate him). ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه said: I ask you by Allah and by Islam—do you know that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to Madinah, there was no sweet water except the well of Rumah? The Prophet ﷺ said: “Who will purchase the well of Rumah and allow his bucket to be used alongside the buckets of the Muslims? For him will be a better reward in Jannah.” I purchased it with my own wealth, yet today you prevent me from drinking its water until I drink salty seawater. The people said: By Allah, this is true.

Then ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه said: I ask you by Allah and His Messenger ﷺ—do you know that the Masjid became too small for its worshippers and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Who will purchase a piece of land from such-and-such tribe and include it in the Masjid? He will receive a better portion in Jannah.” I purchased it with my own wealth, yet today you prevent me from praying two rak‘ahs in it. The people said: By Allah, this is true.

Then ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه said: I ask you by Allah and by Islam—do you know that I equipped the army of Tabuk from my own wealth? The people said: By Allah, this is true.

Then ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه said: I ask you by Allah and by Islam—do you know that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was once on Mount Thabir in Makkah along with Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, ‘Umar رضي الله عنه, and me, and the mountain began to shake until its stones started to fall? The Prophet ﷺ struck it with his foot and said: “O Mount Thabir! Be firm. Upon you is a Siddiq and two martyrs.” The people said: By Allah, this is true.

‘Uthman رضي الله عنه then said three times: Allahu Akbar! By the Lord of the Ka‘bah, the people bear witness that I am a martyr. (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Nasa’i)

It is narrated from ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنها that the Prophet ﷺ addressed ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه and said: “O ‘Uthman! Perhaps Allah will clothe you with the mantle of Khilafah. If people demand that you remove it, then do not relinquish it for them.” (Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah)