Services and Status during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) Khilafat
What were the services and status of Hazrat Uthman (ra) during the era of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) Khilafat and what was his rank in the eyes of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)? During the Khilafat of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Uthman (ra) was among those companions and a part of the consultative body with whom Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would seek consultation regarding important matters. After having suppressed the rebellion of the apostates, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) decided to launch an attack against the Byzantines and also decided to send the Mujahideen to various fronts. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) sought consultation from the people on this matter and upon this some of the companions presented their suggestions. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) sought further consultation, Hazat Uthman (ra) submitted, “You are a well-wisher of the believers of this faith and show benevolence to them. Thus, whatever you decide is beneficial for the people, you should make firm resolve regarding it because no one can think ill about you.” In other words, Hazrat Uthman (ra) stated that no one could ever think ill of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). Upon this, Hazrat Talha (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra), Hazrat Saad (ra), Hazrat Abu Ubaidah (ra), Hazrat Saeed bin Zaid (ra), as well as the other Muhajireen and Ansar members who were present in this gathering agreed with Hazrat Uthman (ra) that he had indeed spoken the truth.
[Hazrat Uthman (ra) further stated], “Do whatever you deem appropriate; we will neither oppose you nor lay any blame on you.” After this, Hazrat Ali (ra) spoke and then Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stood among the people and praised Allah the Almighty which He is most worthy of and invoked salutations [Durood] upon the Holy Prophet (sa). Thereafter, he stated, “O people! Allah the Almighty has bestowed His blessings upon you through the religion of Islam; He has granted you honour through Jihad; and through this faith, He has granted you superiority over all other faiths. Thus, O servants of Allah! Prepare an army to go to battle against the Byzantines in the land of Syria.”
(Tarikh Dimashq al-Kabir li Ibn Asakir, Vol. 1, p. 46, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabiyy, Beirut, 2001)
When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) sought consultation from his companions as to who should be appointed as the governor of Bahrain in place of Hazrat Abanra bin Saeed, Hazrat Uthman (ra) bin Affan submitted, “Send the person who was appointed as the governor over the people of Bahrain by the Holy Prophet (sa) himself. He subsequently became the means of them accepting Islam and demonstrating their obedience. He is also well-aware of its people and the area. That is, Alaa bin Hadrami.” Upon this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) expressed his agreement to this suggestion and appointed Alaa bin Hadrmi as the governor of Bahrain.
(Kanz al-Ummal, Vol. 3, Ch. 5, p. 248, Kitab al-Khilafa ma‘a al-Imarah, Hadith 14089, Dar al-Kutun al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, 2004)