6 Best Qualities of Hazrat Usman & His Personality Traits 

1 – Al Ghani (The Generous One):

Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه was one of the most wealthy residents, he inherited 30 million dirhams from his father, which he skillfully increased in the trade as he was a smart businessman. As Islam progressed he generously sacrificed his possessions in the way of Allah SWT. One of the character traits of our Prophet PBUH was also generosity.

Examples of Hazrat Uthman’s Generosity

The Well Of Ruma

When the Muslims first came to Madinah after Hijrah, they found that the sources of freshwater were very limited. Freshwater was available only in a few places and one of these places was a well-known well known as the Well of Ruma. Its water was pleasant to taste, unlike other wells which had bitter and salty water.

It was owned by a man from another tribe, the man earned his livelihood by selling water from this well to those in need. People who migrated to Madinah comprised of Sahabah who were poor and could not afford to buy water. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ expressed his desire that someone buy the well.

Uthman رضي الله عنه stepped forward and negotiated a price for half of the well, the owner and Uthman رضي الله عنه would have control over the well on alternate days. Uthman gave water free on his day so no one wanted to pay for water when they could get it free on some days. The original owner had no choice but to sell his half of the well for which Uthman رضي الله عنه paid a fair price and bought the well for 20,000 dirhams and made it free for Muslims to use.

This was the first trust ever made in the history of Islam. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ gave him glad tidings of Paradise for this act.

“He who opens the Well of Ruma will enter Paradise. – BUKHARI

Extra Land For Masjid E Nabwi.

When the number of Muslims steadily increased, the Prophet’s mosque became too small to accommodate the increasing number. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ asked if anyone was willing to buy this land and add it to the masjid so that it can be expanded.

Immediately Uthman رضي الله عنه went and bought the land and it was given to the masjid for the expansion. The mosque was rebuilt during his Caliphate and all the expenses were met by him.

Setting Slaves Free

Uthman رضي الله عنه gave freely from his wealth to please Allah SWT, it is mentioned in Islamic history that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ told the Muslims that whoever buys a Muslim slave and sets it free, Allah SWT will set him free from the Hellfire. For every limb of that slave, every limb of that person would be saved, when Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه heard this there was no stopping him.

He made it his practice that he would buy slaves every Friday and set them free, until the point mentioned in history that he had freed over 1000 slaves and they lost track of how many slaves were set free. It was because of this habit he was often without a slave even though he was so wealthy.

Army Of Tabuk

This is also one of the moments where Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه stood out, his contribution was unparallel. When the Muslim armies were going to fight the Byzantines at Tabuk, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called out to the wealthier people to help in equipping the armies. Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه met the expenses of one-third of the army. Uthman رضي الله عنه donated equipped camels, some narrations say 700 and some say 1000.

Uthman brought the Messenger of Allah 1000 dinars while he was equipping Jaysh al-Usra (the army to go to Tabuk) and poured the money in his lap. The Messenger of Allah turned them over in his lap, saying twice:

Year Of Drought

During the reign of Umar bin Al Khattab رضي الله عنه, there came a year of drought. Muslims experienced a very difficult time of drought and famine. The drought was so severe that the people were dying of hunger. Umar رضي الله عنه told the people to pray to Allah SWT for help. That day people heard a caravan of Uthman رضي الله عنه was coming from the northern part of the country, loaded with food and provisions.

Very soon a caravan consisting of 1000 camels arrived in Madinah and Uthman رضي الله عنه gave away everything just to seek Allah’s pleasure and didn’t want a single dirham or dinar in return. Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه once said that he doesn’t crave wealth or power but there is something else he loves:

2 – His Humility

Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه led a very simple life, even though he was a very successful businessman. Money was not an issue. He could have led a very luxurious life but he chose not to. Even after becoming the third Caliph, he was very humble. The Caliphs were paid from the Bait ul Mal (the treasury ) for their services but Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه never took any salary for his service to Islam.

He would not wake his slave to take any help when he got up for Tahajjud prayer. When asked why he doesn’t wake up his slave for help Uthman رضي الله عنه replied:

No, the night is for them to rest.

During his reign, he would cover himself up before leaving for the Masjid at night so that no one would recognize him. He would enter the masjid and pray, by the time he would end his Salaah he would have completed the entire Quran. He would often sleep wrapped in a blanket on the sand of the mosque.

3 – His Haya/Modesty

If we could identify one Sahabah from the Prophet’s companion that truly exemplified haya in every aspect of his life, it would be Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه. His haya was truly extraordinary. It has been reported by Aisha رضي الله عنه that:

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ was lying in the bed in my apartment with his thigh uncovered and Abu Bakr sought permission to enter. It was given to him and he conversed in the same very state (the Prophet’s thigh or shank uncovered). 

Then `Umar sought permission for entering and it was given to him and he conversed in that very state.

 Then `Uthman sought permission to enter; Allah’s Messenger ﷺ sat down and he set right his clothes. 

Uthman then entered and conversed and as he went out,

`Aisha said: Abu Bakr entered and you did not stir and did not observe much care (in arranging your clothes), then `Umar entered and you did not stir and did not arrange your clothes, then `Uthman entered and you got up and set your clothes right, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Should I not feel shy before a man whom the Angels feel shy of “?

Thereupon Allah’s Messenger also ﷺ said:

Verily Uthman is a very modest person and I was afraid that if I permitted him to enter in this very state he would not inform me of his need. – MUSLIM

Allah’s Messenger ﷺ also mentioned:

4 – His Easygoingness

Another great character trait of Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه was his easygoing nature. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Such was Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه who once canceled a deal for a person because that person was unhappy about it. Even though the agreement had already been made.

Today when we make any kind of deal or agreement we are very strict about no return and no refund policy. However, people like Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه have taught us that we should make dealing with people easy for them.

5 – His Asceticism (Detachment From Luxuries)

Even though Islam permits enjoying all pleasure of life within bounds, it also encourages a simple and pious way of life. In Arabic, this term is referred to as Zuhd, that your only connection to luxuries and power is with your hands and not your heart. Such an example of Zuhd can be seen in the life of Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه. He had wealth and could get all luxuries that his status and money could provide but he had no desire for it and lived a simple life.

When Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه migrated to Abyssinia he left everything behind. It was easy for him as his heart was detached from all the worldly pleasure. His ascetism is the reason why he gave away huge portions of his wealth just for the sake of Allah, as Uthman رضي الله عنه was ascetic he took no salary when he became the third Caliph.

Today we have become so attached to this world that if we suffer a setback in life or any kind of loss, it seems like the end of the world and people are devastated. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

6 – A Just Ruler

Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه continued the just rule of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنه. Even though Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه was kind and soft natured this did not make him weak in implementing the punishments set by Allah SWT. He wasn’t afraid of blame in fulfilling the commands of Allah SWT even with those who were close to him.

When it had been confirmed that Walid Bin Uqbah رضي الله عنه, (one of the governors at the time), his maternal brother had drunk alcohol he had him removed from office and had him lashed. He would keep a check on his governors and have them deal with the public in a kind and merciful manner. Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه was no doubt one of the greatest leaders of Islam who dealt with people with justice, kindness, mercy, and goodwill. Islam focuses on justice and trains just rulers. We have another read on Islamic quotes on justice that you’ll definitely find inspiring.

Death Of Hazrat Usman

When was Hazrat Usman martyred? It was June 17, 656 AD, an eighty-two-year-old Uthman Ibn Affan sat reading the Quran. He dosed off at the time of Asr prayer, he was fasting as well as it was a Thursday. He saw in his dream the Messenger of Allah standing in front of him and smiling and behind him were Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنه.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ says:

Good News O Uthman, you are going to break your fast with us tonight.

Uthman wakes up full of joy and narrates his dream to the people around him. The people who intended to kill him storm the house and saw an old man reading the Quran, Surah Baqarah to be specific. They hit him over the head with a piece of iron and blood began to pour from his head and the first place where it fell was the Quran, on the verse:

Allah will suffice you against them. Quran 2:137

Another person struck him with his sword and cut Uthman’s hand off, then they pierced the stomach of Uthman. When this old man had passed away, one of the rebels jumped onto his chest and pierced it six-time. The rebels insisted he be buried outside of Janatul Baqi (first cemetery in Madina) but today his body is inside Jannatul Baqi.

Indeed Uthman Ibn Affan رضي الله عنه was a man of great character, which made him an extinguished companion of the Prophet ﷺ and one of the most remarkable men in history. He was a wealthy businessman but that is not how he is remembered today. We think fame and wealth will get us written in the pages of history. But let Uthman رضي الله عنه life be a reminder that just being wealthy and coming from a noble family doesn’t certify you for Allah’s approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What are the two most important qualities of Hazrat Utman?

A. Hazrat Uthman was known for his generosity and modesty.

Q. What did Uthman do with the Quran?

A. At the time of Prophet Muhammad, Quran was mainly preserved by memorization. During the reign of Hazrat Abu Bakr, the Surahs were arranged and put into the form of a book. The first copy was produced by Hazrat Uthman and later on, more copies were made identical to the original Uthmani script.