Defending Hadhrat ‘Uthman – A Sunnah of the Companions

Defending Hadhrat ‘Uthman – A Sunnah of the Companions

Allah Most High has declared the faith of the Companions as the touchstone of guidance.  When the Companions are taunted, our faith demands that we should defend them and prove our love and loyalty to them.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Uthman bin Mauhab (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says:  An Egyptian came with the intention of Haj.  He saw some people sitting and asked:  Which clan is this?  People told him that these are the elite of the Quraish.  He asked:  Who is their leader?  He was told:  Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them).  He said:  O Ibn Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them), I will ask you about few things.  You tell me about them.  Do you know that Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) was not present in the Battle of Uhud?  Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) said:  Yes.  He said:  Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) was not present in the Battle of Badr and didn’t participate in it?  He said:  Yes.  That person asked:  Do you know that Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) was not present in the Pledge of Ridhwan and didn’t participate in it?  He said:  Yes.  That person said: Allahu Akbar (Allah is great)!

Now Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) said:  Now I will tell you the truth, that he was not present in the Battle of Uhud, I testify that indeed Allah Most High has forgiven this and pardoned him.

He was not present in the Battle of Badr.  The reason is that the daughter of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was his wife and she was ill.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered him thus:  Verily, you will get the reward as those who participate in Badr.

As far his not being present at the Pledge of Ridhwan is concerned, if there was anybody more honorable than Hadhrat ‘Uthman, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would have sent that person (as an envoy).  The Pledge of Ridhwan occurred after he went to Makkah.  On this occasion, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gestured towards His right hand that this is the hand of ‘Uthman and placed it on His left hand and said:  This is on behalf of ‘Uthman.

Then Hadhrat ‘Abdullah Bin ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them) told the questioner:  Now take these facts with you.  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 3698)

On the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) sent Hadhrat Uthman as an envoy to the Quraish.  The clansmen of Hadhrat Uthman were present in Makkah and because of his affluence and the support of his clan, Hadhrat Uthman was looked upon with respect by the Quraish.  The Quraish told him to perform Tawaf and perform Umrah.  Hadhrat Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him) said: I will never perform Tawaf of the Holy Ka’aba without the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Then the Quraish held him and among the Muslims, news spread that the Quraish had martyred Hadhrat Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him).  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) took the pledge (Ba’yah) from the Companions.  Then He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) kept His right hand on His left and said: O Allah! This hand is on the behalf of Uthman and this is the pledge of Uthman as he is in fulfillment of Your and Your Prophet’s commands.

Here an objection is raised that the if the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has knowledge of the unseen.  He would not have taken the pledge after getting the false news of the martyrdom of Hadhrat ‘Uthman (May Allah be well pleased with him).

The answer is that if the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not have the knowledge of the unseen, He would not have taken the pledge on the behalf of Hadhrat ‘Uthman, as pledge of allegiance is not taken from those who are martyred.  That the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) took the pledge on the behalf of Hadhrat Uthman is a clear sign that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was aware of the true state of affairs.