Well-Wisher of Hazrat Uthman (ra) even in his Final Moments

When the Egyptians had besieged Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house, they acted so severely that they cut off all supplies of food and drink to his home. When Hazrat Ali (ra) became aware of this, he went to those who laid the siege and said, “The manner in which you have sieged this house is not only un-Islamic, but it is also inhumane. When the disbelievers capture Muslims, even they do not deprive them of food and drink. What harm has this man caused you that you are treating him in such a cruel manner?” The ones who laid the siege took no notice of Hazrat Ali’s (ra) appeal and outright refused to ease the severity of the siege. Hazrat Ali (ra) became furious and throwing down his turban, he left.

(Sheikh Shah Moinuddin Ahmad Nadvi, Siyar al-Sahabah, Vol. 1, Amir al-Momineen Hazrat Ali al-Murtadara [Lahore, Pakistan: Islami Kutub Khana Urdu Bazar], 207-208)

The people had besieged Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house and cut off his water supply. Hazrat Uthman (ra) peered from above and asked the people if Ali (ra) was among them? They replied that he was not. Hazrat Uthman (ra) then asked if Saad was present? To which they replied in the negative.

Hazrat Uthman (ra) paused briefly and then said, “Is there anyone among you who can deliver my message to Ali (ra) that if he can bring us some water.” When Hazrat Ali (ra) became aware of this he sent three water bags to Hazrat Uthman (ra); however, the rebels intercepted them and would not allow them to reach the house of Hazrat Uthman (ra). In an attempt to deliver these water bags to Hazrat Uthman (ra), many slaves of the Banu Hashim and Banu Umayyah were injured. Eventually, they managed to provide Hazrat Uthman (ra) with this water.

When Hazrat Ali (ra) learnt that there was a plan to murder Hazrat Uthman (ra), he ordered his sons – Imam Hasan (ra) and Imam Husain (ra) – to go with their swords and stand guard at Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) door. He warned them that no rebel should get anywhere near them. Upon seeing this, the rebels fired a burst of arrows towards Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) door, which severely injured Hazrat Hasan (ra) and Muhammad (ra) bin Talha.

During this time, Muhammad bin Abi Bakr and two accomplices quietly jumped into Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house from the side of an Ansari companion’s home and then martyred Hazrat Uthman (ra). When Hazrat Ali (ra) heard this news, he came to see for himself and learnt that he had indeed been martyred. He then asked his sons, “How could Hazrat Uthman (ra) be martyred whilst you two were on guard?” Upon this, Hazrat Ali (ra) slapped Hazrat Hasan (ra), struck the chest of Hazrat Husain (ra) and rebuked Muhammad bin Talha and Abdullah (ra) bin Zubair and returned home filled with anger.

(Jalauddin Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr al-Suyuti, Tarikh al-Khulafa, pp. 123-124, Dar al-Kutub al-Arabi, Beirut, Lebanon, 1999)

Shaddad bin Aus narrates, “On the ‘Day of Dar’ when the siege of Hazrat Uthman (ra) became severe (the ‘Day of Dar’ is the day when the rebels surrounded Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house and martyred him mercilessly.) Hazrat Uthman (ra) peered over and said, ‘O servants of Allah!’”

The narrator states:

“I saw that Hazrat Ali (ra) was leaving his house and he was wearing the turban of the Holy Prophet (sa) and was carrying his sword. Ahead of him was a group of Muhajireen and Ansar among whom was Hazrat Hasan (ra) and Hazrat Abdullah (ra) bin Umar. They attacked the rebels and managed to move them away from there. They then entered Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house, after which Hazrat Ali (ra) said, ‘O Leader of the Faithful! May peace be upon you! The faith was strengthened and elevated to lofty heights when the Holy Prophet (sa), along with his Companions, fought against those who stood in opposition to him. By God! I see that these people will certainly kill you. Thus, grant us permission to fight against them.’

“Upon this, Hazrat Uthman (ra) said, ‘Whosoever believes in Allah and considers that I have a right over them, I implore them in the name of Allah not to shed anyone’s blood for me, even the amount that is spilt in the practice of bloodletting, nor should they spill their own blood for my sake.’ Hazrat Ali (ra) then made the same request again, but Hazrat Uthman (ra) gave the same reply as before.”

The narrator then states:

“I then saw Hazrat Ali (ra) departing from Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) house and was saying, ‘O Allah! You are a witness that we exhausted all our efforts in this cause.’ He then went to Masjid al-Nabawi and it was time for prayer. The people said to Hazrat Ali (ra), ‘O Abul Hasan! Proceed forward and lead us in prayer.’ Hazrat Ali (ra) stated, ‘I cannot lead you in prayer whilst the Imam is under siege. I will offer prayers on my own.’

“Thus, he offered prayers on his own and then left. Hazrat Ali’s (ra) son came to him and said, ‘O my father! By God, the enemy has attacked Hazrat Uthman’sra house.’ Hazrat Ali (ra) said:

اِنَّا‭ ‬للهِ ‬وَاِنَّا‭ ‬اِلَيْهِ‭ ‬رَاجِعُوْنَ‬‬‬

“‘[Verily to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.] By God, they will kill him!’ The people asked where Hazrat Uthman (ra) would be” i.e. after his martyrdom. “Hazrat Ali (ra) stated, ‘I swear by God, he will be in Paradise.’ The people then asked, ‘O Abul Hasan! Where will those people be?’” i.e. the ones who martyred Hazrat Uthman (ra). “Hazrat Ali (ra) answered, ‘I swear by God, they will be in the Hellfire.’ He repeated this three times.”

(Riyad al-Nadirah fi Manaqib al-Asharah, Vol. 3, pp. 68-69, Chapter 3, Fi Manaqib Amir al-Momineen Uthman (ra) bin Affan, Chapter 11, fi Maqtalih wa ma Yata‘alaq bih, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1984)