Reign of Hazrat Usman Ghani(R.A.)(644-656A.D.)|Third Caliph of Islam Hazrat Usman Ghani (R.A.)

 1: Introduction:

Hazrat Usman (R.A.) belonged to a noble family of Quraish in Makkah.His(ancestral lineage joins with that of RasulAllah (SAW)in the fifth generation.He(R.A.)was from the Umayyah family of Quraish,which was a well reputed and honourable family of Makkah during the pre-Islamic days.

Hazrat Usman (R.A.)was born in573A.D.

His(R.A.) father's name was Affan bin Abul- As and He(R. A.)himself was known by the name Usman Ibn 'Affan.

Hazrat Usman (R.A.)was one of the few persons of Makkah who knew how to read and write.When He(R.A.)grew up,He(R.A.) started business in clothing which made him very rich.He used Have s money in good and charitable ways and always helped the poor.

Hazrat Usman (R.A.)was a soft natured and kind hearted Man.

He(R.A.)did not hesitate to spend any amount of money on seeing a man in trouble in order to remove his misery.

For His (R .A.)noble qualities the Makkans had great respect for Him(R.A.).

2: Hazrat Usman (R.A.) acceptance of Islam:

Hazrat Usman (R.A.) accepted Islam when Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (R.A.) preached to Him.He (R.A.)was one thing f those Muslims who accepted Islam in its very early days.

Though Banu Hashim was rival to to Banu Umayyah (Hazrat Usman's family and the latter was in power at that time, Hazrat Usman (R.A.)did not hesitate to acknowledge the Prophethood of Hazrat MUHAMMAD (SAW).

This was one of the reasons why Quraish leaders belonging to Banu Umayyah (like Abu Sufyan) were opposing Hazrat MUHAMMAD (SAW).

THUS,the acceptance of Islam in such a position shows the clear-mindedness of Hazrat Usman(R .A.).

When He(R A.) accepted Islam,the Quraish who once loved Hazrat Usman (R.A.)became His (R.A.) enemies.Even His(R.A.) relatives(like Hakam,one of His(R.A.) uncles)began to rebuke Him(R.A.)and chastised Him(R.A.) severely.

3: Migration to Abyssinia:

When life in Makkah became difficult for the Muslims,Ye(R.A.)went to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)and sought permission to take refuge in Abyssinia along with other Muslims.Tye permission was granted. Hazrat Usman (R.A.)and His(R.A.)wife crossed the Red Sea with other Muslims and migrated to Abyssinia

At the time of His (R.A.) migration The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)remarked:

"Usman is the first Man of my ummah to migrate with His family from r the sake of ALLAH."

He stayed there for a couple of months and returned to Makkah when He(R.A.)was wrongly informed by somebody that the Quraish had accepted Islam.