Sayyiduna Uthman was known for his generosity, he spent his fortune for the sake of Allah and supported Islam immensely. He committed his whole life serving Islam. When the Muhājirūn arrived in Medina, they found no well that provided fresh water, and they disliked the water of Madina. There was a well called ”Bir Rumah”, it was owned by a man and he would sell the water to immigrant Muslims for high prices. Muslims asked the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) to help them with this issue, so the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) spoke to this man and said ”Are you willing to sell me this well for a well in Jannah?” But he said to the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) ”I own this only for me and my kids”. Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Uthman heard about this so he bought it from this man. He came to the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and asked him ”Are you willing to give me what you offered the other man?” The prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said to him ”Yes”. Then Sayyiduna Uthman made its water free for everyone, turning it into a public resource.
the Battle of Tabuk
The Battle of Tabuk took place in 9 AH and is also known as Jaish al-Usrah “Army of Hardship.” Its army was called the Army of Hardships as Muslims suffered from reduced crops and limited resources, as they had faced 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 is the last battle of the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) made an appeal for contribution towards the preparation of this battle and he said ”Whoever equip the army of ‘Usra (i.e., Ghazwa of Tabuk) will be granted Paradise,’. The companion Abdur-Rahman Ibn Khabbab narrated “I witnessed the Prophet (ﷺ) while he was exhorting support for the ‘army of distress. Uthman Ibn Affan stood and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I will take the responsibility of one hundred camels, including their saddles and water skins, in the path of Allah.’ Then he [(ﷺ) again] urged support for the army. So Uthman Ibn Affan stood and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I will take the responsibility of two hundred camels, including their saddles and water skins, in the path of Allah.’ Then he [(ﷺ) again] urged support for the army. So Uthman Ibn Affan stood and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah I will take the responsibility of three hundred camels, including their saddles and water-skins, in the path of Allah.’ So I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) descend from the Minbar while he was saying: ‘It does not matter what Uthman does after this, it does not matter what Uthman does after this.’
Sayyiduna Uthman Ibn affan’s achievements
When Sayyiduna Umar Ibn Khattab was on his deathbed, he conducted a council composed of six of the companions; Ali ibn Abi Talib, Uthman ibn Affan, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Saad ibn Abi Waqqas, Az-Zubayr ibn Al-Awam, and Talhah ibn Ubayd, to choose the next caliph, and they decided to choose Uthman Ibn Affan. Parts of his achievements:
1- Islam spread vastly, the Islamic state expanded into Persia, India, Russia, China, Turkey, and across North Africa.
2- Due to the expansion of the Islamic reign many of the new Muslims were not Arabic speakers, and differences in reading the Qur’an became obvious. So Sayyiduna Uthman decided to unit the Muslims under one copy of the Quran. Hudhaifah (R.A.) said to Uthman (R.A.): “O Prince of Believers, save this nation before they differ concerning the Book (Quran) 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”. So he made 6 copies and distributed it among the states. The copies were sent to Iraq, Egypt, Persia, Africa, the Levant, and one copy was kept with Sayyiduna Uthman.
3- Expanding the Mosque of the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
After sincerely serving the Ummah as caliph and commander, Sayyiduna Uthman Ibn Affan was martyred after Asr salah on Friday, 18 Dhul Hijjah, 35 AH, whilst he was fasting. He was laid to rest in the prestigious Al-Baqi’ Cemetery in Madinah. The prophet Muhammad made du’a for him and said ”O Allah! Express Your pleasure for Uthman for I am also pleased with him.” May Allah be pleased with our master Uthman.
