O Muslim Men, Be Like Uthman!
Today marks the death of Sayyidina Uthman (ra) on 18th Dhul Hijjah.
I believe he is the least appreciated of the Khulafa Rashidun. But in fact, Sayyidina Uthman (ra) is the ideal role model today for Muslim men in the West.
Why?
- Uthman (ra) lived as a Muslim minority in Abyssinia and contributed to that society economically. We, too are living as minorities, are we taking advantage of the system or contributing to the economy here?
- Uthman (ra) was chaste and shy such that angels were shy of him. He too covered his face due to it’s handsomeness. Today we are shameless and lack hayya, making a fool of ourselves before the angels.
- Uthman (ra) was financially independent.
- Uthman was trustworthy because Nabi ﷺ gave his dearest possessions, his two daughters, as brides to him. This is distinct from Sayyidina Ali (ra) because Ali (ra) was a close relative and grew up with his wife, Sayyida Fatima (ra) whereas Uthman is practically a stranger and is very distantly related to Nabi ﷺ‘s grandfather Ka’b. Are you as reliable and trustworthy a man that Nabi ﷺ would let you marry his daughters?
- Uthman (ra) had the most adab with Rasulullah ﷺ. Umar (ra) was bold, Abu Bakr (ra) was best friends with Rasulullah ﷺ, and Ali was a cousin, so they could speak openly around Nabi ﷺ. We are none of those things – our relationship to Rasulullah ﷺ resembles that of Uthman (ra) more than Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali (ra).
- Uthman (ra) focused on preserving Islam, namely by systematically recording the Qur’an. Are we preserving Islam as meticulously and boldly as Sayyidina Uthman (ra) did?
- Uthman (ra) was obsessed and attached to the Qur’an. He finished the whole Qur’an start to finish in 1 rakat nafil behind Maqam Ibrahim.
- Uthman (ra) bore tribulation and fitan alone without violence and met his end without hurting Muslims, even though they were in the wrong. Uthman (ra) even did not want Hasan and Husyan to defend him. Today, we have many people calling for action, Muslims fighting Muslims, but very few who are wise enough to try and make the best of a down-hill situation.
- Uthman (ra) listened to the Muslims and their public opinion preceding his assassination.
- Uthman (ra) was lenient on the Muslims, whereas Abu Bakr and Umar were rigorous and strict with the Muslims.
Look, you aren’t 7 foot tall like Umar (ra), you aren’t a fighter like Ali (ra) and its not likely you weep from hearing the Qur’an like Abu Bakr (ra). But you live as a minority like Uthman. Like Uthman you can be trustworthy, shy, and care for the needs of Muslims in difficult times. If you have it in you, you can be attached to the Qur’an and preserve this religion for future generations.
Uthman (ra) stood on his own merits. He was not closely related to the Prophet ﷺ either through friendship or blood, but came to be trusted by Rasulullah ﷺ such that he was in the inner circle. Muslim men in the West are the same – we are outsiders – and we must earn the trust and confidence of Allah and His Rasul ﷺ. We must learn to listen to our dissenters, learn to lead through difficult times and learn to not harm Muslims in any way. Just think about it: The Middle East would be a very different place if they took the example of Uthman refusing to fight Muslims.
We must ponder that the fitan (trials) for the Muslims begin with the death of a Caliph who refused to defend himself against the violence of Muslims.
*Hafiz Ibn ‘Asakir (Tarikh Dimashq 39:447) quotes the Sahabi Hudhayfa (keeper of the Prophetic secrets) who said: “The first fitna is the assassination of Uthman ibn ‘Affan, and the last fitna is the emergence of the Dajjal. I swear by Allah Who controls my life, anyone who carries in his heart any amount of satisfaction or pleasure in the murder of Uthman, then he will follow the Dajjal if he meets him, or if he dies before meeting him, he will believe in the Dajjal in his grave.”
Perhaps, when we return to “Uthmani pacifism” and not raise our hands against Muslims, the doors of fitnah will finally close. Allahu Alam – Allah knows best.
Subhana kallahumma wa bihamdika ash-haduana la illaha illa ant astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk, ameen.