The excellence of Hadhrat 'Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him)

 

The excellence of Hadhrat ‘Uthman

(May Allah be well pleased with him)

 

Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) is the third caliph of Islam.  His excellences are clearly established.

 

Hadhrat ‘Abdullah bin Rabbah and Hadhrat Abu Qatadah (May Allah be well pleased with them) say that the day when the rioters laid siege to his house, we were present with the Commander of the Faithful Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him).

 

When the rioters crowded around the house, the slaves of Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) took up weapons.  He said:  Those who don’t draw their weapons are freed.

 

The narrator says:  Out of fear for ourselves, we left the place.  On the way, we met Hadhrat Imam Hasan bin ‘Ali (May Allah be well pleased with them).  We returned along with him to Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) to see what Imam Hasan (May Allah be well pleased with him) would do.

 

Imam Hasan (May Allah be well pleased with him) entered the house and greeted Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) with Salaam.  He then expressed his regret on the actions of the rioters and said:  O Commander of the Faithful!  I cannot unsheathe my sword against Muslims without your command.  You are the true Imam.  You give me the command so that I can drive away these people from you.  Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) said:

 

Translation: O son of my brother ‘Ali!  Go to your home and rest until Allah decrees something.  There is no need to shed blood for us.

 

This is a shining example of acquiescence to the will of Allah Most High amidst difficulties and hardships.  This act of Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) is highly similar to what Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) did when he was being thrown into the fire by Nimrod.  Nimrod, the accursed, had lit a fire to burn Prophet Ibrahim (May peace be upon him).  He was placed in a catapult.  Jibreel (May peace be upon him) came to him and asked him whether he had any need.  Prophet Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) answered that he had no need from Jibreel (May peace be upon him).  Jibreel (May peace be upon him) then requested him to pray to Allah Most High.  Hadhrat Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) replied that Allah Most High knows what I am going through and He understand my affairs better than I do.  He knows very well what is better for me. 

 

Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) was in the position of Prophet Ibrahim (May peace be upon him) being placed in the catapult.  The siege of the rioters was like the fire of Nimrod and Imam Hasan (May Allah be well pleased with him) was like the arch-angel Jibreel (May peace be upon him).

 

[Excerpted from Kashf ul Mahjoob]