Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 34195 — Reports on the virtue of Uthman bin

Abu Qilabah (may Allah have mercy on him) reports that when Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred, many orators addressed the people at Iliya. Last of all, a Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) named Sayyiduna Murrah bin Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him) stood up and said: "Had I not heard this hadith myself from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), I would never have stood up. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned a tribulation, and I think he described it as very near. Then a man passed by whose head was covered with a sheet. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'On that day this man and his group will be upon the truth.' So I went after that man, took him by the shoulders and turned his face toward the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and I asked: 'This man?' He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Yes.' And he was Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him)."