Hazrat Usman R.A Biography – Life Style, and Contributions
Hazrat Usman ibn Affan R.A. lived from 576 to 656 CE and was a famous associate of the Islamic prophet Muhammad S.A.W. He was Muhammad S.A.W.’s second cousin, and son-in-law, and had married Muhammad S.A.W.’s daughter. In addition to being the third of the Rashidun, also known as the “Rightly Guided Caliphs.” He was born into a famous Makkah clan known as the Banu Umayya of the Quraysh tribe. He had a significant role in the early history of Islam. Following the death in office of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was 60 or 61 years old at the time, Hazrat Usman R.A, became the oldest person to ever rule as Caliph.
Under Hazrat Uman R.A.’s guidance, the Islamic empire reached Fars (modern-day Iran) in 650 and some regions of Khorasan (modern-day Afghanistan) in 651. By the 640s, the conquest of Armenia had begun. During his rule, there were extensive demonstrations and disturbances, which eventually led to an armed uprising and his execution.
Hazrat Usman Ibn Affan R.A.’s Title
Hazrat Usman R.A.’s full name is Usman ibn Affan bin Al-Aas bin Umayyah bin Abdul Shams bin Abd Manaf.
Since Hazrat Usman R.A. belonged to the well-known family, Banu Umayya of the Quraish, because of his well-known and kind assistance to those in need, people began to call him Ghani.
Hazrat Usman R.A. was unable to take part in Islam’s first war against non-believers in Makkah at Badr since his wife Ruqayya R.A. was gravely ill. She perished before the Muslims were able to return from Badr after their triumph. The Holy Prophet S.A.W. assured him that he would receive the same reward as if he had participated in the fight. After Ruqayya R.A. died, the Holy Prophet S.A.W. married his next daughter, “Umm Kulthum,” with him, and he was given the title “Dhun-Nurain,” which means “the one with two lights,” since He R.A. married two daughters of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.
Family and early life
Hazrat Usman R.A. was born into a rich family of the Quraish tribe of Makkah. He came from the Quraish “Umayyah” family, which was a well-known and prestigious family in Makkah before Islam. His hereditary name was “Abu Amr” however he (R.A) was widely known as “Usman ibn Affan” as his father was “Affan bin Abul-As”.
He was around five years the Prophet’s junior S.A.W. His father died before Islam, i.e. during the pre-Islamic period. His mother’s name was Arwa bint Kurayz, and she died under his son’s caliphate, Hazrat Usman’s R.A.
He married Ruqayyahh bint Mohammad, the Prophet Mohammad’s S.A.W.’s daughter, and she died on the night of the Battle of Badr. The Prophet S.A.W. later married her sister, Umm Kulthum bint Mohammad.
Hazrat Usman R.A. was a well-known Makkah resident who could read and write. He had a successful clothing business and got wealthy. He used to give his money to poor and needy individuals. Mekkans have high regard for him as a result of his honourable actions.
Acceptance of Islam (615 CE)
Hazrat Usman R.A. was thirty-four years old when Hazrat Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq R.A. summoned him to Islam, and he did not hesitate at all and answered promptly the call of Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A. Hazrat Usman R.A. is considered to be one of the first people to convert to Islam. Following in the footsteps of Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A., Hazrat Ali ibn Talib R.A., and Zaid ibn Harithah R.A., he was the fourth individual to convert to Islam.
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His early years in Pre-Islamic civilization:
Hazrat Usman R.A. was among the best of his people in pre-Islamic culture. He was of great social standing, immensely affluent, exceedingly humble, and brilliant in speech. His family and friends adored and respected him. Even before Islam, he had never prostrated to any idol or done any immoral act. He also did not use alcohol before Islam.
He was well-versed in genealogy, proverbs, and the history of significant events. He travelled to Syria and Ethiopia, where he interacted with non-Arabs and learned about their lifestyles and traditions that no one else knew. He managed the firm he inherited from his father, and his fortune expanded. He was recognized as one of the males of the Banu Umayyah tribe who were well-valued across Quraish. As a result, Hazrat Usman R.A. was held in great respect by his people and was adored.
Migration to Madina (622 CE)
Hazrat Usman R.A. and his wife Hazrat Bibi Ruqayya R.A. were among the Muslims who moved to Medina in the third group, who arrived there in the year 622. When Hazrat Usman first arrived in the area, he made his temporary home with Abu Talha ibn Thabit. A short while later, he moved into the home where he had purchased. Hazrat. Usman R.A. was one of the wealthiest merchants in Makkah, and he did not need the financial assistance of his Ansari brothers since he had carried the substantial money he had accumulated with him to Medina. Hazrat Usman R.A. was also one of the first people to convert to Islam. Jews were responsible for the majority of the town’s commercial activity because most Muslims in Medina were farmers with little interest in trade. Hazrat Usman saw that there was a significant economic potential to encourage commerce among Muslims, and he quickly established himself in Medina as a businessman to take advantage of this chance. Because of his honesty and the hard work he put into his company, he eventually became one of the wealthiest men in Medina.
Military Contribution
Hazrat Usman R.A. played a key role in the expansion of Islam, and he was respected by both his contemporaries and later generations of Muslims for his bravery and leadership. Despite facing opposition and persecution, he remained steadfast in his beliefs and was known for his unwavering faith in Allah. The battles he participated in;
- The Byzantine attempt to retake Egypt
- The capture of North Africa
- The first Muslim incursion into the Iberian Peninsula (Spain)
- Nubia Awareness Campaign (Sudan)
- Conquest of the Mediterranean Sea islands
- Byzantine re-conquest of Syria
- Anatolia’s Occupation
- Fars re-conquest (Iran)
- Sistan’s Reconquest (Iran and Afghanistan)
- Tabaristan has been reclaimed (Iran)
- The reconquest of Khorasan (Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan)
- Transoxiana campaign
- Makran re-conquest (Pakistan)
- Baluchistan Conquest (Pakistan)
- Sindh campaigning (Pakistan)
Reign (644–656 CE)
Hazrat Usman R.A. was elected as the third Caliph with the title ‘Amir Al-Muminin’ on the fourth day following the death of Hazrat Umar R.A.
When Hazrat Uaman R.A. took the oath of loyalty as caliph, he stood in front of the people and stated his approach to rule, saying that he would follow the guidelines of the Quran and Sunnah and follow in the footsteps of the two Caliphs, Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A. and Hazrat Umar R.A. He also claimed that he would govern the people’s issues with patience and intelligence, but he would not tolerate any compromise on the penalties that must be carried out. Then he urged them not to be satisfied with worldly goods and not to be lured by worldly minutiae, lest they compete with one another and stir up grudges and hatred among them, which would lead to division and dissension.
Martyrdom (656 CE)
The chaos ensued, and the wrongdoers besieged Hazrat Usman R.A. in his residence for forty days, preventing him from worshipping at the mosque and even from drinking water. But when he observed some of the Companions R.A. preparing to battle them, he stopped them because he did not want to spill the blood of a Muslim for his own sake. The conspirators then broke into his house from behind (from Abu Hazm Al-residence) Ansari and assaulted him while he was reading the Holy Quran. His wife, Naila (R.A.), tried to defend him, but she was beaten with the sword and had her fingers severed. The rebels assassinated him (R.A.), and his blood was spelt on the Quran. He was martyred on the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah, 17 June, 656 AD and he was buried in Madinah at Al-Baqee [Muslim sacred graveyard near the Prophet’s Mosque (Masjid Al-Nabawi).
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