Hazrat Usman (RA) I

Please read this if you havent.

The First Fitnah

Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (RA)

Hazrat Omar (RA)

Hazrat Usman (RA) was an elegant, literate and cultivated merchant prince who had always been very good looking. He was a broad shouldered man of medium height with his face framed by a magnificent beard and locks that cascaded down below his ears. It is said that he was ‘golden mouthed’ as his teeth had been bound with fine wires of gold, something which was seen as a symbol of status at that time.

He was born into Mecca’s most powerful clan: the Abd Shams. It is believed that he was born in Taif where his parents went every year to spend the summers which served as summer hill station for the very wealthy meccans. He was also amongst the tiny minority of fully educated literate people. He was known to be an outstanding businessman and negotiator making him a desirable match for anyone’s daughter. Given his background, it is astonishing that he was one of the 6 early reverts as he had nothing to gain, in terms of worldly gains, and everything to loose by becoming a muslim. Soon after his reversion, his rich and beautiful wives deserted him, and he subsequently, having no other option, divorced them. He later married the Prophet’s (SAW) daughter Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) who had been divorced by her husband (Utbah ibn Abu Lahab) for being the Prophet’s (SAW) daughter.

The two migrated to Abyssinia and stayed there for a while where Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) gave birth to a baby boy, Abdullah, who died when he was only two years old. This tragedy affected Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) to such an extent that she was never able to conceive again.

After the migration of Muslima to Medina, he migrated to Medina as well with his family and his wealth continued to be a great source of relief for the Muslims. The Meccans not being used to the weather of Medina were susceptible to fevers and Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) was no exception. This was around the period of Badr war. It is said that as the Muslims celebrated their victory at the wells of Badr, Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) was taking her last breaths. When the Prophet (SAW) returned, all he saw was his daughter’s cold body ready to be buried.

Soon after the death of Bibi Ruqayyah (RA), the Prophet (SAW) betrothed Bibi Umm Kulthum (RA)*, his third daughter, upon Hazrat Usman (RA) as he had been an exceptionally considereate husband to Bibi Raqayyah (RA). For this, it is said, Hazrat Usman (RA) was referred to as Dhun Nurain** (the owner of two lights) by the Prophet (SAW) himself.

Hazrat Usman (RA) was compassionate and generous. He was not a warrior, in fact, he tried to stay away from battles as much as he could, but he managed his business and administrive efficiency along with charity, prayer and a fulfilling and loving family life.

*Bibi Umm Kulthum (RA) was married to and later divorced by Utaibah ibn Abu Lahab for the same reason for which Bibi Ruqayyah (RA) was divorced.

**The Shias believe that Hazrat Faitmah (RA) was the only biological daughter of the Prophet (SAW) and the first three daugters were Hazrat Khadija’s (RA) daughters from earlier marriages.

Hazrat Usman (RA) Part 2