Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA): The Third Caliph of Islam

 Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA): The Third Caliph of Islam

Hazrat Usman Ghani (RA) was the third caliph of Islam. His lineage meets with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the fifth generation. His father's name was Affan, and his mother was Arwa bint Kuraiz. He was born in the sixth year of the Year of the Elephant, corresponding to 576 AD.

Hazrat Usman learned to read and write in his early years, making him one of the few literate individuals of the Quraysh. According to Ibn Asakir, he was a handsome personality, with a tall stature, fair complexion tinged with redness, a thick beard, and a broad, strong physique.

After Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) declared his prophethood, Hazrat Usman was the fourth person to embrace Islam. Upon accepting Islam, the disbelievers of Makkah inflicted severe torture upon him, but his faith never wavered, and he remained steadfast.

Studying Hazrat Usman's life inspires admiration. He possessed every noble characteristic. His love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was immense, and he demonstrated unparalleled loyalty and sacrifice in every battle alongside the Prophet (PBUH).

He respected the Prophet (PBUH) so much that he never allowed the hand with which he pledged allegiance to the Prophet (PBUH) to be tainted by impurity. He emulated the Prophet (PBUH) in every aspect of life. Once, after performing ablution, he smiled. When asked why, he replied, “I once saw the Prophet (PBUH) smile after ablution, so I do the same.”

Before accepting Islam, Hazrat Usman was one of the prominent merchants of Makkah. He conducted trade in regions such as Syria and accumulated significant wealth, which he generously used to help the needy. After accepting Islam, he dedicated his wealth to the welfare of Muslims and the propagation of Islam.

Upon migrating to Madinah, the Muslims faced a severe water shortage. A well in Madinah was owned by a Jew who sold water at high prices. Witnessing the struggles of the poor Muslims, Hazrat Usman purchased the well for 35,000 dirhams and made it freely accessible to everyone, irrespective of their religion.

During the Battle of Tabuk, Hazrat Usman donated 10,000 dirhams to the Prophet (PBUH). His generosity earned him the title of "Ghani" from the Prophet (PBUH).

His unparalleled philanthropy is widely acknowledged. When a famine struck Madinah, Hazrat Usman provided aid to those in need without hesitation. As the Muslim population in Madinah grew, Masjid-e-Nabawi became overcrowded. Hazrat Usman bore the entire cost of its expansion and completed it promptly.

He was also known as "Dhul-Nurayn" (The Possessor of Two Lights) because two of the Prophet's daughters were married to him, one after the other. His modesty was so remarkable that the Prophet (PBUH) referred to him as "Kamil al-Haya" (the perfect in modesty).

In 6 AH, when Hazrat Usman was sent to Makkah as the Prophet's ambassador, the Quraysh offered him the chance to perform Umrah. However, he refused, saying that he would not circumambulate the Kaaba without the Prophet (PBUH).

On one occasion, when the Prophet (PBUH) and his family went hungry for several days, Hazrat Usman sent flour, dates, goat meat, and money for their sustenance. The Prophet (PBUH) prayed especially for him.

During the Battle of Tabuk, Hazrat Usman donated 1,000 camels, 70 horses, and 1,000 dinars for the Muslims. Additionally, he built a dam near Madinah to protect the city from flooding.

One of his greatest contributions was uniting the Muslim community on one standardized version of the Quran. During Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq's (RA) caliphate, the Quran had been compiled into a book form but had not been widely distributed. When differences in Quranic recitation arose during Hazrat Usman's caliphate, he, with the advice of the companions, addressed the issue. He requested the original compilation of the Quran from Hazrat Hafsa (RA) and standardized it. Copies of this standardized version were then distributed to Islamic regions, uniting the ummah on one mode of recitation.

Hazrat Usman was highly devoted in worship. He managed state affairs during the day and spent the nights in prayer, often completing the entire Quran in one rak’ah. Despite being wealthy, he led a simple life, never indulging in luxury. He even donated his stipend as a caliph to the public treasury and performed his tasks personally, despite having servants.

The Prophet (PBUH) once said to him, “O Usman! Allah will clothe you with the robe of caliphate. When hypocrites try to remove it, do not take it off until you are martyred.” Remembering this, when rebels besieged his house in 35 AH, he remained patient and refused to relinquish the caliphate.

During the siege, rebels cut off food and water supplies for 40 days. On the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah, a Friday, Hazrat Usman (RA) was reciting the Quran while fasting when the rebels martyred him. At the time of his martyrdom, he was 82 years old.

Hazrat Usman ruled as caliph for 12 years, successfully governing an Islamic empire spread across 4.4 million square miles. His martyrdom was a great loss to Islam. May Allah be pleased with him.