Sayyiduna Uthman was known for his generosity. He spent his fortune for the sake of Allah and supported Islam immensely. He devoted his entire life to serving Islam. When the Muhājirūn arrived in Medina, they found no well that provided fresh water, and the available water did not suit them. There was a well called “Bir Rumah.” It was owned by a man who sold its water to the Muslim immigrants at high prices. Muslims asked the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to help them with this issue. Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) spoke to this man and said ”Are you willing to sell me this well for a well in Jannah?” However, the man replied to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), “I own this well only for myself and my children.” Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Uthman heard about the situation and bought the well from the owner. He then went to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and asked, ”Are you willing to grant me what you offered the other man?” The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) replied in the affirmative. Sayyiduna Uthman then made the water free for everyone, turning the well into a public resource for all Muslims.
the Battle of Tabuk
The Battle of Tabuk took place in 9 AH and is also known as Jaish Al-Usrah (the Army of Hardship). It was called the Army of Hardship because the Muslims suffered from reduced crops and limited resources during an extremely hot summer. Its name was also mentioned in the Quran, Surah At-Tawbah:117;
”Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
”لَّقَد تَّابَ اللَّهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ وَالْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُ فِي سَاعَةِ الْعُسْرَةِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ).
It was the last battle of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) called upon the Muslims to contribute to the preparation of this battle and said, ”Whoever equips the Army of ‘Usrah (i.e., the Battle of Tabuk) will be granted Paradise.” The Companion Abdur-Rahman ibn Khabbab narrated: ”I witnessed the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was urging support for the Army of Hardship.” Uthman ibn Affan stood and said, ”O Messenger of Allah! I will take responsibility for one hundred camels, including their saddles and waterskins, in the path of Allah.” Then he, (ﷺ), urged support for the army. Uthman ibn Affan stood once more and said, ”O Messenger of Allah! I will take responsibility for two hundred camels, including their saddles and waterskins, in the path of Allah.” Then he, (ﷺ), again urged support for the army. Uthman ibn Affan then stood and said, ”O Messenger of Allah! I will take responsibility for three hundred camels, including their saddles and waterskins, in the path of Allah.” I then saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) descend from the Minbar while saying, ”Nothing will harm Uthman after this; nothing will harm Uthman after this.”
Sayyiduna Uthman Ibn affan’s achievements
When Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab was on his deathbed, he appointed a council of six Companions—Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uthman ibn Affan, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Az-Zubayr ibn Al-Awwam, and Talhah ibn Ubaydullah—to choose the next caliph. After consultation, Uthman ibn Affan was selected. Some of his major achievements include:
1-Islam spread widely, and the Islamic state expanded into Persia, Greater Khorasan, parts of Anatolia, the Caucasus, and across North Africa.
2-Due to the expansion of the Islamic state, many new Muslims were not Arabic speakers, and differences in the recitation of the Qur’an became apparent. Therefore, Sayyiduna Uthman decided to unite the Muslims under a single standardized copy of the Qur’an. Hudhayfah (R.A) said to Uthman (R.A), “O Commander of the Faithful, save this nation before they differ concerning the Book (the Qur’an) as the Jews and the Christians did. Uthman (R.A.) said: ”Send us the manuscript so that we may make copies of it, then we will return it to you”. He then made six copies and distributed them among the provinces. The copies were sent to Iraq, Egypt, Persia, North Africa, and the Levant, while one copy was kept with Sayyiduna Uthman.
3- Expanding the Mosque of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
After sincerely serving the Ummah as caliph and commander of the believers, Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan was martyred after the Asr prayer on Friday, the 18th of Dhul Hijjah, 35 AH, while he was fasting. He was laid to rest in Al-Baqi Cemetery in Madinah. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) made du‘a for him and said, ”O Allah, be pleased with Uthman, for I am pleased with him.” May Allah be pleased with our master Uthman ibn Affan.
