Part of the Ashrah Mubashrah

Hazrat Uthman (ra) was part of the Asharah Mubasharah [10 companions given the tidings of Paradise by the Holy Prophet (sa)]. Hazrat Abdur Rahman (ra) bin Akhnas relates that he was in the mosque, when an individual spoke about Hazrat Ali (ra) in a very disrespectful manner. Upon this, Hazrat Saeed (ra) bin Zaid stood up and said, “I bear witness that I have most certainly heard the Holy Prophet (sa) say that 10 individuals would certainly enter Paradise. The Holy Prophet (sa) himself will enter Paradise, Abu Bakr (ra) will enter Paradise, Umar (ra) will enter Paradise, Uthman (ra) will enter Paradise, Ali (ra) will enter Paradise, Talha (ra) will enter Paradise, Abdur Rahman (ra) bin Auf will enter Paradise, Zubair (ra) bin Awam will enter Paradise, Saad (ra) bin Malik will enter Paradise and if I wish, I could name the tenth individual as well.” The narrator states that the people enquired about the identity of the tenth individual. Hazrat Saeed (ra) bin Zaid remained silent for a short while. The narrator states that some people enquired again as to who the tenth individual was, upon which he said, “Saeed bin Zaid”, i.e. he himself.

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Sunnah, Bab fi al-Khulafa’, Hadith 4649)

I have mentioned this narration before in regard to Hazrat Saeed (ra) bin Zaid.