Uthman ibn Affan

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Uthman)
Uthman
Islamic Empire During The Reign
The Generous
(Al Ghani)
Full NameʻUthmān ibn ʻAffān
(عثمان بن عفان)
Reign11 November 644 – 17 July 656
Bornc. 576
BirthplaceTaif, Arabia
Died17 July 656 (aged 79-80)
DeathplaceMedina, Arabia
Place of BurialJannat al-Baqi, Madinah
PredecessorUmar
SuccessorAli
FatherAffan ibn Abu al-As
MotherUrwa bint Kariz
Sister(s)Amna
Spouse(s)Ruqayyah

Umm Kulthum
Naila
Ramla bint Shuibat
Fatima bint Al-Walid
Fakhtah bint Ghazwan
Umm Al-Banin bint Unaib

Umm Amr bint Jundub
Son(s)• Amro (عمرو)
• Umar (عمر)
• Khalid (خالد)
Aban (أبان)
• Abdullah Al-Asghar
(عبد الله الأصغر)
• Al-Walid (الوليد)
• Saeed (سعيد)
• Abdulmalik (عبدالملك)
Daughter(s)• Maryam (مريم)
• Umm Uthman (أم عثمان)
• Ayesha (عائشة)
• Umm Amr (أم عمرو)
• Umm Aban Al-Kabri
(أم أبان الکبرى)
• Aurvi (أروى)
• Umm Khalid (أم خالد)
• Umm Aban Al-Sagri
(أم أبان الصغرى)
Other TitlesAl Ghani الغنى ("The Generous")
Zun Noorain ("Possessor of Two Lights")

Uthman ibn Affan (Arabic: عثمان بن عفان) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and third caliph in the succession of early leaders, who reigned from 644 to 656. Uthman belonged to a noble family of the Umayyads, branch of the Quraish in Makkah. Uthman was one of the very few who was literate. When he became older, he started a business in cloth, which made him very rich.[1]

Biography[change | change source]

He was born in about the year 576 and was ruler for 12 years. During his time as ruler he conquered Khurasan and the regions of the west of the Arabian Peninsula.[1] He also united the Muslim upon one uniform version of the Quran.[1] He was well known for marrying two of Muhammad's daughters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, both at different times. For this, he became known as Dhu al-Nurayn, the "Possessor of Two Lights".[1] He participated in both immigrations, first to Ethiopia and then to Medina.[1]

Death[change | change source]

He was attacked while in his house, although he did not defend himself out of fear of further trouble. He was killed while reading the Qur'an by Sudaan ibn Hamran on Friday, June 17, 656. He died aged 79-80 years.[1]

Originating in the aftermath of Uthman's assassination in 656, the political Uthmaniyya (Arabic: عُثْمَانيَّة), or shi'at Uthman (party of Uthman) as they were called,[2] asserted that Uthman's successor Ali (r. 656–661) was an illegitimate caliph, as he was involved in the murder of Uthman and had not been elected by a shura (consultation), hence a new caliph had to be elected.[3][4]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Tadhkirah al-Huffath, al-Dhahabi, Muhammad ibn Ahmad. 1: 8-10. Hyderabad, Da'irah al-Ma`arif al-Uthmaniyyah.
  2. Watt 1973, p. 75.
  3. Crone 2000, p. 952.
  4. Madelung 1971, p. 1163.