Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Hafiz Ibn Kathir said in *Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah*: The caliphate of Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu lasted twelve years, less twelve days.

During the twelve-year caliphate of Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu, the initial six years passed in complete peace and security. The expansion of conquests, abundance of spoils of war, increase in stipends, progress in agriculture, and excellent administration of the government brought about widespread prosperity, affluence, and luxury in the land. To such an extent that some ascetic Companions, remembering the simplicity and informality of the Prophetic era, became extremely saddened upon seeing the wealth and means of comfort of this time, realizing that now had come the time of worldly envy and rivalry among Muslims, which the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had foretold.

The reality of the turmoil and discord that arose in the latter period of Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu is that the abundance of wealth and prosperity produced among the Muslims those very consequences that arise in every nation under such circumstances, and ultimately become the cause of their weakness and decline. Alongside this, there were also some other causes for the emergence of this tribulation, for example:

1. The number of the Companions had decreased.
2. During the eras of Abu Bakr and Umar, by the consensus of the Muslims, the leadership and caliphate had become restricted to the Quraysh tribe. But later, the Qurayshi youth began to consider it their right and viewed other Arab tribes as their subordinates, while people from other tribes became captivated by the claim that the conquests of the lands were the result of their swords.
3. Among the conquered peoples, there existed a spirit of revenge against the Muslims, due to which they continued to plot conspiracies.
4. Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu was gentle-natured and would often avert crimes with forbearance and patience, but this emboldened the wicked.
5. Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu was an Umayyad, so naturally his sentiments were benevolent towards his family, and he wished to benefit them and would assist them from his personal wealth. However, the mischief-makers tried to spread the accusation that the public treasury was being squandered on Banu Umayyah.
6. The spirit of obedience that existed among the workers and governors in the first two eras was now diminishing.
7. Foreign women and slave-girls became the cause of several tribulations.
8. Banu Hashim did not like the rise and progress of Banu Umayyah.
9. The Magians (Zoroastrians) wanted to bring about such a revolution that, with their help, the government would be transferred to a common family from whom they could obtain better rights and privileges.
10. The Jews wanted to create such division among the Muslims that their strength would be shattered.

These were various motives, and each group was striving for its own purpose. Thus, secret intrigues began, conspiracies were hatched against the officials, and even attempts were made to defame the Commander of the Faithful himself. Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu tried to suppress these tribulations, but this was a fire not easily extinguished. The sphere of activity of the troublemakers expanded day by day, until a secret group emerged throughout the land whose aim was turmoil and discord.

Eventually, matters reached the point where the mischief-makers and rebels laid a most severe siege to the house of the caliphate, which continued for forty days. During this period, even bringing water inside was considered a crime. The hearts of the mischief-makers had become devoid of the light of faith. Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu tried several times to advise the rebels, but to no avail; nothing had any effect. In the end, when the rebels saw that the season of Hajj would end in a few days, and as soon as it ended, people would head towards Madinah and the opportunity would slip from their hands, they began to plot the murder of the Leader of the Muslims.

A series of consultations and requests for permission from the devoted began, but Sayyiduna Uthman radi Allahu anhu had only one view: that he would hold fast to patience. Because, due to the prophecy of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, he was certain that his martyrdom was destined. Thus, he remained a mountain of patience and steadfastness.

The rebels attacked the house, and the incident of martyrdom occurred on Friday at the time of Asr. For two days, the body remained unburied and without a shroud. There was an upheaval in the Sanctuary of the Messenger, the rebels held power, and due to fear of them, no one dared to bury him openly. After Saturday had passed, at night a few people, risking their lives, mustered the courage to perform the funeral rites, and without ritual bath (ghusl), in the same blood-stained garment, the funeral of the oppressed martyr was carried out. Only seventeen people, from Kabul to Morocco, rulers of the realm, performed the funeral prayer, and behind Jannat al-Baqi, in Hash Kawkab, this embodiment of forbearance and patience, and this figure of helplessness and oppression, was laid to rest. Later, this wall was broken and it was included within Jannat al-Baqi. *Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un*.

For details, one may consult the books of history.