The New Nation - Internet Edition

The rebellion against Uthman was based on Uthman's own 13 year long corrupt rule in which he had used the Islamic state treasury to help his own clan Banu Umayya.

He had appointed governors of his own choice removing those who had been appointed by Hazrat AbuBakr and then by Hazrat Umar in clear violation of the Islamic spirit.

He had conspired to have Muhammad bin Abi Bakr killed.

Ummul-Momineen Ayesha was among Uthman's greatest critics.

This book has been written with great prejuidce and apparently the author has disregarded the history documented in the sources by such illustriosu authors as Tabari, Abul Fida and Bladhuri.

In modern times the Egyptian scholar Taha Husain has chronicled the details in his celebrated book AL-FITNATUL- KUBRA, which has since been translated from Arabic into other languages.

Another interesting book is by teh Oxford scholar named Wlfred MAdelung. The name of his book is SUCCESSION TO MUHAMMAD, CAmbridge University Press, 1997.

It is true that the Prophet of Islam (pbh) had liked Uthman very much and he had made efforts to educate him. But in later life Uthman showed that the Prophet's teachings had not influenced him after all. He had aqppointed ABdullah ibn ABi Sarah as a governor who had been sentenced to death by the Prophet at one time. He had allowed both Marwan and his father Hakam back into the city of MAdinah. Hakam was banished from MAdinah by the Prophet. Uthman had married his daughter to MArwan and had appointed him his secretary. Marwan held the Khaleefa's seal and used to send Caliphal orders on his own personal whims.

Uthman had two senior companions of the Prophet, namely Abdullah bin MAsood and Ammar YAsir beaten up by his goons. Abdullah ibn MAsood later died of taht beating.

Uthman was responsible for sending Abu Zar Ghifari away into exile where he died a hungry thirsty and destitute man.

We cannot judge peopel by tehir names and tribal affiliations. We have to judge eople by tehir deeds. There is plenty of blameworthy stuff in Uthman's deeds. No one can hide it.

Being married to Prophet's daughter is no glory on its own. According to Qur'an the real glory of a Muslim is his/her TAQWA.

Syed-Mohsin Naquvi