Seerah: 'Uthman ibn 'Affan — Dhul-Nurayn: Generosity, the Mushaf, and the First Civil Crisis

Generosity and Early Conversion

‘Uthman converted through Abu Bakr early in the Meccan period. The Prophet reportedly said: “The most truthful in modesty in my community is ‘Uthman.” He was so modest that even the Prophet himself felt self-conscious when ‘Uthman entered a room where the Prophet was lying informally — the famous hadith that the Prophet sat up and arranged himself, saying the angels feel shyness before ‘Uthman.

The Well of Ruma: When the Prophet asked who would purchase the well from its Jewish owner and make it public, ‘Uthman purchased it for 35,000 dirhams and endowed it as a waqf.

Tabuk expedition: When the Prophet asked who would equip this most difficult campaign, ‘Uthman donated 950 camels, 50 horses, and 1,000 gold coins.

The Uthmani Mushaf

During ‘Uthman’s caliphate (approximately 650 CE), Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman returned from a campaign in Iraq and Syria alarmed: “O Commander of the Faithful — save this community before they differ about the Book as the Jews and Christians differed!” Different regions were reciting the Quran in different recognized dialects — legitimate but creating confusion.

‘Uthman appointed a committee under Zayd ibn Thabit (who had led the earlier compilation under Abu Bakr) to produce a single standard text. The process:

1. Used Abu Bakr’s compiled text as the primary reference
2. Cross-referenced with known huffaz (memorizers)
3. In cases of discrepancy, prioritized the dialect of Quraysh (the Prophet’s tribe)
4. Produced 4-7 identical copies
5. Sent one copy to each major provincial center
6. Ordered all other private copies burned

The standardization was not without controversy — the burning of variant manuscripts was painful — but the result is the text all 1.8 billion Muslims use today.

The Assassination and Its Consequences

‘Uthman was 80+ years old when rebels (primarily from Egypt and Kufa, complaining of nepotism in his appointments) besieged his home. He refused to flee or allow violence on his behalf. He was reading the Quran when he was killed — blood reportedly fell on the verse “Allah will suffice you against them.” (2:137)

His assassination triggered the First Civil War: Ali became caliph, faced rebellion from Talha, Zubayr, and ‘Aisha (Battle of Jamal) and then Mu’awiya (Battle of Siffin).

See also: Sahaba, Khilafa Rashida, Prophet Muhammad, Seerah Medina, Quran Sciences, Bohra History