Rank in the Eyes of the Holy Prophet (sa)
The relationship the Holy Prophet (sa) had with Hazrat Uthman (ra) and Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) rank in the eyes of the Holy Prophet (sa) can be gauged by the fact that the Holy Prophet (sa) did not lead the funeral prayer of an individual who harboured rancour towards Hazrat Uthman (ra).
The details of this incident have been recorded in the following narration: Hazrat Jabir (ra) relates that once, the funeral procession of an individual was brought before the Holy Prophet (sa) so that he would lead the funeral prayer. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) did not do so. Someone said, “O Messenger (sa) of Allah! We have previously never observed you refrain from leading someone’s funeral prayer.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, “This individual harboured rancour towards Uthman (ra). As such, Allah the Exalted also holds enmity towards him.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Abwab al-Manaqib , Bab fi Manaqib, Hadith 3709)