This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail-e-Amaal.
When Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله عنه went to Makkah on the occasion of Bay'at al-Ridwan, the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said about his right hand: "This is the hand of Uthman."
The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said about Sayyiduna Uthman Ghani رضي الله عنه: "Shall I not be shy of a person from whom even the angels are shy?"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, Chapter on the Merits of Uthman رضي الله عنه, Hadith No: 3699
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه narrated that when the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman رضي الله عنهم climbed Mount Uhud, the mountain shook. The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "Uhud, be still; upon you are a Prophet, a Siddiq, and two martyrs."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions, Chapter on the Virtues of Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه, Hadith No: 2401
◈ Avoidance of Religious Prohibitions:
Arabs often used to drink wine; rather, it would be more appropriate to say that wine was prevalent among the Arabs. However, many of the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, avoided it due to their sound nature even during the era of ignorance. Among these Companions is Sayyiduna Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of the Virtues of the Companions of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, No: 3675.
◈ Recitation of the Quran:
The Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, were always engaged in the recitation of the Quran, and their method of recitation was that they would divide the Quran into several parts and recite it continuously without interruption. Even in the most severe hardships, their passion for the Quran did not diminish; rather, in such conditions, the Quran itself was a source of solace for them. At the time when Sayyiduna Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, was martyred, he was engaged in the recitation of the Quran. Thus, drops of his blood fell on this verse of the Quran:
﴿فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ ۚ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴾
Reference: (2-Al-Baqarah:137)
"So Allah is sufficient for you against them, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."
Reference: Al-Isti'ab, Tadhkirah Uthman ibn Affan.
◈ Fear of the Punishment of the Grave:
The grave is the first station of the journey to the Hereafter, therefore the Companions of the Prophet, may Allah be pleased with them, considered this station extremely difficult and were always trembling at its arduous and dangerous paths. When they passed by any grave, such tenderness would arise in them that they would weep until their beards became wet with tears.
Reference: Kanz al-Ummal: 72/6
◈ Love for the Prophet ﷺ:
Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله عنه had a passionate love for the person of the Messenger صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. He was always ready to sacrifice his entire existence for the pleasure of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. Seeing even the slightest discomfort of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم would cause him great distress. Once, several days passed in the Prophet’s house in poverty and hunger. When Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله عنه found out, he became restless and started crying. At that time, he brought several sacks of wheat, flour, dates, goat meat, and three hundred dirhams in cash and presented them to Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها, saying that whenever such a need arises, remember Uthman.
Reference: Kanz al-Ummal: 376/6.
◈ Respect for the Prophet ﷺ:
He had such reverence and respect for the person of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم that the hand with which he had pledged allegiance on the right hand of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was never touched by any impurity throughout his life.
Reference: Tabaqat Ibn Saad: Volume 3, Tazkira of Uthman رضي الله عنه
◈ Generosity:
Although all the moral virtues of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, strengthened Islam, it was the generosity of the Companions that gave Islam the most influence and stability. Medina was a place of poverty for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, but the generosity of the Ansar gave him a place in their eyes, accommodated the Muhajireen in their homes, and shared the produce of their palm groves with them under certain conditions.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Agriculture and Farming, Chapter: If he says: Provide me with the sustenance of the palm trees..., Hadith No: 2325.
Among the Muhajireen, Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, was not only very wealthy but also very generous. During the Prophethood, when the number of Muslims increased, the Prophet wanted to expand the mosque. There was a piece of land adjacent to the mosque, and he asked, "Who will buy it and dedicate it to Allah?" Sayyiduna Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, bought it for twenty thousand dirhams and dedicated it as a waqf for the mosque. The Muslims had difficulty with water, so he bought the Bir Rumah well and dedicated it as a public waqf. In the Battle of Tabuk, they faced a civilized empire, and the Companions had very little equipment for jihad. He alone generously provided all the necessary supplies.
Reference: Sunan Nasai, Book of Jihad, Hadith No: 3182 - Tabaqat Ibn Saad: 3/1, Tadhkirah of Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him. Ibn Hibban has declared it "Sahih".
During the time of the Battle of Tabuk, a messenger from Heraclius came to you. Since you usually treated messengers with kindness and hospitality, you excused yourself saying, "We are currently on a journey; if possible, we will reward you." When Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, heard this, he called out, "I will reward him." Then he took out a saffron-colored cloak from his provision bag and gave it to him. Then you asked, "Who will host him?" An Ansari said, "I am ready for him."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 442/3
◈ Patience and Endurance:
You were the embodiment of forbearance and forgiveness. This trait was so dominant in you that people took undue advantage of it. Under no circumstances did you let go of patience and endurance. How many storms were raised against you. Opponents insulted you openly, but this embodiment of forbearance responded with nothing but patience and endurance. If you had wished, rivers of the rebels' blood would have flowed, but you gave your life instead and did not deviate from the straight path of patience and forbearance.
Reference: History of Islam by Nadwi: 286/1-287.
◈ Humility:
You did not lack slave girls and servants, but you did not disturb their comfort for your own tasks. At the time of Tahajjud at night, you did not wake any servant; you would bring water yourself and perform ablution. People said to you: Why do you trouble yourself? Wake a servant. You replied, the night is for their rest.
Reference: Tabaqat Ibn Saad: 41/3 as cited in History of Islam: 287/1.
Treatment of Slaves:
Sayyiduna Uthman رضي الله عنه used to get up at night and take water for ablution himself. People said: "If you had asked a servant, he would have done this work." He said! No, the night is for their rest.
Reference: Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Tazkira Uthman رضي الله عنه.
◈ Modesty and Shyness:
The state of modesty and shyness was such that the door would be closed, but they would not bathe without clothes on.
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 74/1.
After bathing, when their wife's maid would bring clothes to wear, they would say, "Do not look at me because this is not permissible for you."
Reference: Tabaqat Ibn Saad, Tazkirat Usman رضي الله عنه.
The Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم himself respected their modesty and shyness. Once, Sayyidna Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنہما came to your presence while you were lying down at home with your thigh exposed, but when Sayyidna Uthman رضي الله عنه came, you covered yourself. When Sayyida Aisha رضي الله عنها asked the reason, you said that Uthman is a shy man, and if I remained in that state, he would not fulfill his need.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of the Virtues of the Companions, Hadith No: 6210.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه: "You are from me and I am from you."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Umrah al-Qada, No: 4251.
Sayyidina Saad bin Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه says: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه: "Your relationship to me is like that of Harun to Musa عليهما السلام. But after me, there is no prophet."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, Bab Ghazwah Tabuk, No: 4416.
Sayyidina Ali رضي الله عنه says: "The Noble Prophet ﷺ made a covenant with me that the believers will love you, and the hypocrites will bear enmity against you."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, Bab al-Dalil 'ala anna hubb al-Ansar wa 'ala rida Allah 'anhum min al-Iman, No: 78
◈ Following the Sunnah:
After the Holy Quran, the central focus of the actions of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, was only the person of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. Therefore, in all actions, they followed the Sunnah of the Prophet. Once, when Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, was about to mount a horse, he placed his foot in the stirrup saying "Bismillah," and when he reached the back, he said "Alhamdulillah." Then he recited this verse:
لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ ﴿١٣﴾ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ ﴿١٤﴾
Reference: (43-Al-Zukhruf:13,14)
Then he said الحمد لله three times and الله اكبر three times. After that, he recited this supplication: سبحانك إني ظلمت نفسي فاغفر لي ، فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت
Then he laughed. When people asked the reason for his laughter, he said, "Once the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, mounted with the same observances and laughed at the end. When I asked him the reason for laughing, he said that when a servant prays this supplication with knowledge and certainty, Allah becomes pleased."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Jihad, Chapter: What a man says when he mounts, Number: 2602 -
Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it "Sahih."◈ Mercy and Compassion:
Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtaza (may Allah be pleased with him) used to go to the markets and show the way to lost people, and he would carry the burdens on the heads of porters. If someone's shoe strap came off, he would pick it up and give it to them while reciting this verse:
﴿تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الْآخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لَا يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوًّا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فَسَادًا ۚ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾
Reference: (28-Al-Qasas:83)
"We have prepared the Hereafter for those who do not desire corruption or dominance on earth, and the outcome is only for the righteous."
Reference: Al-Riyadh al-Nadhira: 234/2.
◈ A comprehensive commentary on the Seerah of al-Murtaza:
Upon the inquiry of Amir Muawiyah رضي الله عنه, Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه’s attendant, Dhirar Sada'i, described him with the following attributes, which provide a comprehensive commentary on his character. He was high-spirited and very strong, spoke decisively, made just decisions, knowledge radiated from every word of his, and wisdom dripped from him. He was averse to the world and its allurements. He was accustomed to the darkness of the night and its solitude. He was contemplative and very thoughtful. He preferred simple clothing and coarse, plain food. He lived among us just like we common people. When we asked something, he would answer, although he kept us close and himself stayed near us, yet we could not speak to him out of awe.
He respected the pious. He brought the poor close to him. Before him, the powerful could not be greedy in falsehood, and the weak were not disappointed in justice. On some occasions, I have seen with my own eyes that the night was passing, the stars were twinkling, and he, holding his beard in his fist, was restless like a scorpion and tearful like one afflicted with grief, saying: "O world! Deceive someone else, but you are deceiving me, you desire me, alas! Alas! I have given you three divorces, your life is short and your purpose is insignificant, oh, the journey is long, the path is dreadful, and the provisions for the journey are few."
Reference: Kanz al-Ummal, p. 410.
Hearing these attributes, Amir Muawiyah رضي الله عنه wept and said, "May Allah have mercy on Abu al-Hasan (Ali رضي الله عنه), by Allah! He was exactly like this."
Reference: Rawdat al-Nadhra: 212/2 with reference to Tarikh al-Islam: 353/1
