What the Companions said about Uthman's Assassination

Ali

When Ali came to know of the assassination of Uthman, he raised his hands to the heavens and said repeatedly: "By God, I never wished for his murder, nor did 1 abet his murder.) God be my witness that I am not to be blamed for this catastrophe. Those who have done the heinous deed have done a great disservice to Islam".

Ibn Abbas

Ibn Abbas is reported to have said that the assassination of Uthman was the work of some misguided persons. The Muslims could not agree to the murder of their Caliph. Ibn Abbas added that. if the Muslims had agreed to the murder of Uthman, the Muslims would have been stoned to death by the heavens as had been done in the case of the people of Lut.

Ayesha

Ayesha said that the way in which Uthman had stood the siege and met his death was comparable to the cleansing of a utensil or the washing of a soiled cloth. By his steadfastness, determination and faith, Uthman had purified himself and his reward lay with God.

Abdullah b Hakim

Abdullah b Hakim was critical of the people of Madina in whose midst their Caliph had been murdered in cold blood. He held that even those persons who criticized Uthman unjustly were guilty of abetting his murder.

Hudhaifa

Hudhaifa was very bitter that with the assassination of Uthman, a great fissure had' occurred in the ranks of the Muslims and this gap was too wide to be filled even by a mountain.

Samama b Adi

When Samama b Adi who was the Governor of Yemen heard of the assassination of Uthman he wept bitterly and said that with the assassination of Uthman all was over with the caliphate, and the caliphate would give place to hereditary monarchy.

Abu Hamid Al Saadi Ansari

Abu Hamid Al Saadi Ansari, a companion of the Holy Prophet and who had fought at the battle of Badr mourned the death of Uthman. He said that those who had murdered their Caliph had violated the right to be called as Muslims. He took the oath that after the death of Uthman he would never laugh and would continue to mourn his death. He fulfilled this oath, and never laughed again in life.

Abu Huraria

Abu Huraira condemned the assassination of Uthman in very strong terms. He said that it was a great tragedy for the Muslim community. He would often beat his breast and lament at the death of Uthman. He said that those who had killed Uthman would have their punishment with the Lord.

Abdullah b Salam

Abdullah b Salam said that those who had shed the blood of Uthman were guilty of revolt against God. He said that when a Prophet is killed unjustly, 70,000 persons are killed in sequel, and when a Caliph is killed unjustly, 35,000 persons are apt to suffer death in sequel. He added that after Uthman there would be great bloodshed among the Muslims, and the toll of death may be as heavy as 35,000.

Abi Qalaba

Abi Qalaba said that those who had assassinated Uthman were guilty of a great crime. He added that he had seen in a dream that on the Judgement Day, Uthman would sit as a judge to try his murderers for their crime.

Hudhaifa b Alyaman

Hudhaifa b Alyaman said that there could be no element of good in the assassination of Uthman. It was an evil act fraught with evil consequences for the Muslim community.

Samurah

Samurah said: "Verily Islam was in a strong fortress, and they have made in Islam a breach by their slaying of Uthman, which will not be closed till the day of resurrection. Verily the caliphate was with the people of Madina, but they have cast it forth, and it shall not return to them."

Muhammad b Sirin

Muhammad b Sirin held that the piebald horses on which the angels fought for the Muslims were never missing until Uthman was slain, and never were there variations in the appearance of the new moons until Uthman was slain.