'Ammar b Yasir

'Ammar b Yasir and Uthman

'Ammar b Yasir is one of the companions of the Holy Prophet who is regarded as a critic of Uthman. Whatever accounts have come down to us are too biased and prejudiced to be reliable. 'Ammar s father Yasir belonged to Yemen. He migrated to Makka, and became attached to the Bani Makhzum section of the Quraish. Ammar's mother Samia served as a maid. 'Ammar accepted Islam at an early age. At his instance his father and mother also accepted Islam. As the family was poor, and had few social contacts in Makkah they were persecuted by the Quraish for their acceptance of Islam. 'Ammar was made to lie on burning sand, and was required to recant from Islam on pain of death 'Ammar, however, remained firm in his faith It is reported that the Holy Prophet accompanied by Uthman often visited 'Ammar when he was being persecuted by the Quraish and advised him to be patient. 'Ammar migrated to Abyssinia, and there are grounds to believe that in Abyssinia, Uthman materially helped 'Amman Later like other Muslims, 'Ammar migrated to Madina. In the building of the Prophet's mosque at Madina, 'Ammar carried double the number of bricks as compared with other Muslims. This was much appreciated by the Holy Prophet. 'Ammar took part in all the battles fought during the time of the Holy Prophet.

After the Holy Prophet

After the death of the Holy Prophet, 'Ammar took part in the apostasy campaigns during the time of Abu Bakr. In the battle of Yamama against the false prophet Musailma when the Muslims began to waver under the pressure of the enemy, 'Ammar mounted a hillock and summoned the Muslims to him. That proved to be a turning point in battle, and the battle ended in victory for the Muslims. When Umar became the Caliph, he appointed 'Ammar b Yasir as the governor of Kufa. He could not hold the office for long and Umar soon deposed him. It is related that when Umar met 'Ammar after his deposition he asked him about his reaction to such deposition he said that he was neither happy when he was appointed as the Governor nor was he happy when he was deposed.

'Ammar b Yasir during the caliphate of Uthman

'Ammar b Yasir belonged to the camp of Ali, and when Uthman was chosen as the Caliph, 'Ammar offered him his allegiance like other Muslims, but he was~ lot happy with the caliphate of Uthman. In course of time 'Ammar's opposition to Uthman increased. Accroding to an account which is recorded in Taha Hussain's book on Uthman, Uthman appropriated some of the jewelry in the Baitul Mall 'Ammar criticized Uthman for such conduct. It is reported that addressing the congregation Uthman said, " As the Caliph, I have the right to appropriate anything from the Baitul Mall I will continue to do so; let any body who object may." It is alleged that "hereupon 'Ammar stood up and criticized Uthman for such conduct. Uthman is reported to have lost temper end said, "You son of a maid servant; how dare you criticize me like that." It is alleged that at the instance of Uthman, 'Ammar was given a good beating, and carried home from the mosque in an unconscious state. It is further alleged that in view of the growing discontent against Uthman some companions in Makkah addressed a letter to Uthman criticizing his conduct, and requiring him to make amends. It is stated that this letter was brought to Uthman by 'Ammar and that on reading this letter Uthman lost temper, and kicked 'Amman

There is also the story that Uthman sent some persons as his representatives to the various provinces to inquire into the various allegations levelled against the administration. It is said that Ammar was sent to Egypt. While the representatives sent to other provinces submitted their reports to Uthman, 'Ammar did not submit any report, and chose to join the rebels in Egypt. It is further alleged that Ummar returned to Madina later, and played an active part in poisoning the atmosphere against Uthman.

All the above accounts which have come down to us, and are recorded in Taha Hussain s book Uthman appear to be self-contradictory and therefore devoid of truth. It is unbelievable that a responsible person like Uthman could publicly say that right or wrong he would appropriate the Baitul Mal to his private use. It is also inconceivable that a man of such mild disposition as Uthman should have publicly kicked an eminent companion, who had been Governor of a province.

Again if all this account of quarrels between Uthman is correct, it is inconceivable that Uthman should have deputed 'Ammar b Yasir to Egypt to report about the affairs of the province when 'Ammar was against him. It appears that all stories of Uthman's differences with 'Ammar b Yasir have no foundation in fact. Differences between Uthman end 'Ammar b Yasir cropped up only when Uthman deputed 'Ammar b Yasir to Egypt, and there he came under the influence of Muhammad b Hudhaifa and Muhammad bin Abu Bakr. All the facts that have come down to us about the differences between Uthman and 'Ammar b Yasir are so confusing and self-contradictory that much reliance cannot be placed on them.