Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 32656 — Reports on talk about rulers

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id (may Allah be pleased with him) that many people were near the tent of Sayyidah Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) when Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by; I think this incident took place at Makkah. Abu Sa'id said: Except for me, all of those men cursed Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and abused him. Among them was a man from the people of Kufah, and Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) showed more boldness towards this Kufan than towards the others and said: "O man of Kufah! Do you revile me? Just come to Madinah." He said this in a threatening manner. The man came to Madinah and it was said to him: "Stay with Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him)." He said: Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) went with him until they came to Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah, I will give you one hundred lashes." Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "By Allah, you can give him one hundred lashes only if he is a fornicator." He said to him: "I will deprive you of your stipend." Sayyiduna Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Allah Almighty will provide for him."