What the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said about Uthman

Traditions about Uthman

Uthman was very close to the Holy Prophet. In some of the traditions there are references to Uthman. These traditions show the affection and regard that the Holy Prophet had for Uthman. These accounts afford glimpses of the character and personality of Uthman.

Modesty of Uthman

In the traditions it is stated on the authority of Ayesha that one day the Holy Prophet was reclining in her chamber in an informal mood, Abu Bakr and then Umar came to see the Holy Prophet, and he saw them while reclining in the informal mood. Then Uthman sought permission to see the Holy Prophet. Before permitting Uthman to enter the chamber the Holy Prophet gathered his clothes, and sat in a formal mood. After the visitors had left, Ayesha asked the Holy Prophet as to why he was formal about Uthman, while he was not so in the case of Abu Bakr and Umar. The Holy Prophet said: "Uthman is very modest and shy, and if I had been informal with him, he would not have said what he had wanted to say".

On another occasion the Holy Prophet said: "Why should I not be bashful before whom even the angels stand abashed".

According to another tradition recorded on the authority of Ibn Umar, the Holy Prophet said: "Verily, the angels stand abashed before Uthman as they stand abashed before God and His Prophet."

Resemblance of Uthman with the Holy Prophet and Abraham

Ibn Asakir records on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Holy Prophet said: "Uthman among the companions resembles me most in disposition".

In the traditions, it is recorded on the authority of Umm Kulsum that when she was married to Uthman, the Holy Prophet said to her: "Verily, your husband resembles most among your forefather Abraham, and your father Muhammad".

Ibn Asakir has recorded on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Holy Prophet said, "I find a resemblance in Uthman to my forefather Abraham".

Uthman as the Holy Prophet's son-in-law

At Tabarani records on the authority of Asma b Malik that when Umm Kulsum died, the Holy Prophet advised the Muslims: "Give your daughters in marriage to Uthman . If I had a third daughter I would assuredly give her in marriage to him, and I have never wedded any to him save under inspiration".

Ibn Asakir records on the authority of Ali that the Holy Prophet said: "If I had forty daughters, I would wed them with Uthman one after the other until not one of them is left".

Baiyat ur Ridwan

On the occasion of Baiyat ur Ridwan when the Holy Prophet took the oath of allegiance on behalf of Uthman, he said: "Verily, Uthman is employed in the requirements of God and the needs of the Apostle. May God bless him"

Troubles ahead for Uthman

It is recorded on the authority of Zaid b Thabit that he heard the Apostle of God say that Uthman passed him and there was with him one of the angels who said: "He shall be a martyr; his people will slay him. I am abashed before him".

Al Tirmidhi records on the authority of Murrah b Ka'ab that he said: "I heard the Apostle of God speaking of the troubles that he thought to be near at hand when a man passed by muffled in his garments, and he said. 'This man to-day is in the path of salvation.'" Murrah adds that he went to the man, and he was Uthman.

It is recorded on the authority of Anas that the Holy Prophet said: "Verily the Lord has a sword sheathed in a scabbard as long as Uthman lives, and when Uthman is slain that sword shall be drawn and it will not be sheathed until the day of resurrection".

Al Tirmidhi records on the authority of Ayesha that the Holy Prophet said to Uthman: "O Uthman perchance the Lord may clothe you with a garment, and if the hypocrites desire to take it away from you, do not put it off till you meet me in paradise".