Humility & Simplicity

In relation to Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) humility and simplicity, Abdullah Rumi relates that Hazrat Uthman (ra) would make his own arrangements for the ablution he was to perform in the night. He was told that he should instruct a house-worker to make the arrangements for him, upon which he replied, “No, the night is the time for them to rest”, meaning that the workers should be given time in the night to rest.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Uthman bin Affan [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al ‘Arabi, 1996], p. 33)

Alqamah bin Waqas narrates that Hazrat Amr (ra) bin al-Aas said to Hazrat Uthman (ra) whilst he was on the pulpit, “O Uthman (ra), you have placed this ummah in a very difficult situation.” Hazrat Uthman (ra) had delivered a sermon in which mentioned some points and also admonished the people. “So you should repent and they too should repent with you.” In other words, Hazrat Uthman (ra) had greatly instilled the fear of God in them and thus, a companion submitted this request before him. The narrator states that Hazrat Uthman (ra) immediately turned his face towards the qiblah, raised both his hands and supplicated:

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوْبُ إِلَيْكَ

“O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You.” Those who were present at the time also raised their hands and offered this prayer.

(Ibn Saad, Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, Vol. 3, Uthman bin Affan [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Ihya al-Turath al ‘Arabi, 1996], p. 39)

This was his level of fear [of God] and his humility that he at once raised his hands to supplicate and did not get into an argument with anyone. He instead prayed for himself and for his people.