Status of Hazrat Uthman (ra)

There is a narration with regard to the status of Hazrat Uthman (ra) and how the companions regarded him during the life of the Holy Prophet (sa) as well as after him. Nafi‘ relates from Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra), who said:

“During the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa), we used to declare certain people superior to others from among the people. We regarded Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) to be the best [among us], then Hazrat Umar bin Khattab and then Hazrat Uthman bin Affan, may Allah be pleased with all of them.”

This is a narration from Bukhari.

*(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fada‘il Ashab al-Nabi (sa), Bab Fadl Abi Bakr (ra) ba’d al-Nabi (sa), Hadith 3655) *

Another narration in Bukhari is recorded in the following manner: Nafi‘ relates from Hazrat Ibn Umar (ra), who said:

“We were present during the time of the Holy Prophet (sa). We would not consider anyone equal to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), following him, Hazrat Umar (ra) and following him Hazrat Uthman (ra). We would then refrain from [discussing the rank of] the companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) besides them and did not consider anyone superior to anyone else.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Fada‘il Ashab al-Nabi (sa), Bab Manaqib Uthman (ra)…, Hadith 3697)

There is a narration of Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah with regard to Hazrat Uthman (ra) being counted among the best people after the Holy Prophet (sa). He relates:

“I asked my father, Hazrat Ali (ra), as to who was ranked as the best person after the Holy Prophet (sa). He replied that it was Abu Bakr (ra). I then asked who was after him. He said that it was Umar (ra). I hesitantly asked who followed him and he replied that it was Hazrat Uthman (ra). I then said, ‘O my father! Do you rank after him?’ Upon this, he replied, ‘I am an ordinary man among the Muslims.’”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab al-Sunnah, Bab fi al-Tafdil, Hadith 4629)