Musnad Abi Ya'la 5599 — I was sitting with Sayyiduna Ibn Umar

Habib bin Abi Mulaykah (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates: I was sitting with Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) when a man came to him and asked, "Was Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) present at the Battle of Badr?" He replied, "No." He asked, "Did he take part in the Pledge of Ridwan?" He said, "No." He asked again, "Was he among those who turned their backs on the day the two hosts met?" He said, "Yes." The man went away, and it was said to Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): "O Abu Abd al-Rahman! This man will now spread it about that you have disparaged Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him)." He said, "Bring him back to me." Then he said to him: "As for the Battle of Badr, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) left him behind because of a need of his (namely, nursing the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)), and then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) also assigned him a proper share of the spoils, whereas he (peace and blessings be upon him) would not assign a share to anyone absent (unless he was away on a religious mission). As for the Pledge of Ridwan, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) had sent him (as an envoy) to the people of Makkah; then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) brought out both his hands and, striking one hand upon the other, said: 'This is on behalf of Uthman.' So the hand of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) is far better than the hand of Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him). And as for the matter of the day the two hosts clashed (that is, the Battle of Uhud), Allah Almighty has already announced His pardon for them. Now go, and exert against me whatever effort you can (with these words)."