Uthman ibn Affan (Arabic: عُثْمَان بْن عَفَّان, romanized: ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; c. 576 – 17 June 656) was the third and longest-reigned Rashidun caliph, ruling from 644 until his assassination in 656. He was also a second cousin, son-in-law, and senior companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and played a major role in early Islamic history. He is most famously known for the compilation and distribution of the standardized version of the Quran during his reign, known as the Uthmanic codex. This standardization established a uniform written text of the Quran, and the Uthmanic codex forms the basis of the Quran used by Muslims today.
Before the second caliph Umar died, he had appointed a council of six companions to select his successor. Uthman, then aged 68, was elected to succeed him, becoming the oldest person to ascend to the caliphal office. During his reign, the caliphate expanded further into Persia and reached as far as the provinces of Khorasan and Transoxiana in the east, to Ifriqiya and the Iberian Peninsula in the west. Uthman also instituted centralized reforms aimed at creating a more cohesive administrative structure and fostered rapid economic growth.
However, the last years of his reign were marked by discontent over his fiscal policies and the appointment of members of his relatives to key positions. These grievances eventually evolved into an armed revolt, as opposition groups gathered in Medina and besieged his residence. Despite efforts by his supporters and companions to defend him, Uthman was ultimately assassinated by the rebels in 656 CE, an event that contributed to the political and sectarian conflicts that followed. Sunni Muslim tradition considers him the third rightly-guided caliph.
Uthman was born in Mecca in 576. He belonged to the powerful and affluent clan of Banu Umayya, descending specifically through his grandfather Abu al-As. His father, Affan ibn Abi al-As, was of the prominent Umayyad family and his mother, Arwa bint Kurayz, was of the influential Banu Abd Shams and a first cousin of Muhammad. Uthman had one sister, Amina.
His full lineage is recorded as Uthman ibn Affan ibn Abi al-As ibn Umayya ibn Abd Shams, with his mother being Arwa bint Kurayz ibn Rabia ibn Habib ibn Abd Shams.
Uthman was closely related to Muhammad through his maternal grandmother Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib of the Banu Hashim, who was an aunt of Muhammad and the twin-sister of his father Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Mutallib. Uthman's father died at a young age while on a caravan travel, leaving him with a large inheritance. He invested the wealth in trade and became a very successful merchant, making him one of the wealthiest members of Quraysh.
On returning from a business trip to Syria in 611, Uthman learned of Muhammad's declared mission. After a discussion with Abu Bakr, Uthman decided to convert to Islam, and Abu Bakr brought him to Muhammad to declare his faith. Uthman thus became one of the earliest converts to Islam, following Ali, Zayd ibn Haritha, Abu Bakr and a few others. His conversion to Islam angered his uncle, Hakam ibn Abi Al-As, who strongly opposed Muhammad's teachings. He is listed as one of the twenty-two Meccans at the dawn of Islam who knew how to write.
To escape persecution, Uthman and his wife Ruqayya migrated to Abyssinia (modern Ethiopia) in April 615, along with ten Muslim men and three women. Scores of Muslims joined them later. As Uthman already had some business contacts in Abyssinia, he continued to practice his profession as a trader and flourish.
After four years, the news spread among the Muslims in Abyssinia that the Quraysh of Mecca had accepted Islam, and this persuaded Uthman, Ruqayya and 39 Muslims to return. However, when they reached Mecca, they found that the news about the Quraysh's acceptance of Islam was false; nevertheless, Uthman and Ruqayya re-settled in Mecca. Uthman had to start his business afresh, but the contacts that he had already established in Abyssinia worked in his favour and his business prospered once again.
In 622, Uthman and his wife Ruqayya were among the third group of Muslims to migrate to Medina. Upon arrival, Uthman stayed with Abu Talha ibn Thabit before moving into the house he purchased a short time later. Uthman was one of the richest merchants of Mecca, with no need of financial help from the Ansar, as he had brought the considerable fortune he had amassed with him to Medina. Most Muslims of Medina were farmers with little interest in trade, which was thus primarily conducted by Jews in the town. Recognizing a commercial opportunity to promote trade among Muslims, Uthman quickly established himself as a merchant and eventually became one of the richest men in Medina. Two of Uthman's wives, Ruqayya and Umm Kulthum, were elder daughters of Muhammad and Khadija bint Khuwaylid, which earned him the honorific title Dhū al-Nurayn ("The Possessor of Two Lights").
Across the Muslim world, Uthman is known by his honorific title "Ghani" that translates to "exceedingly generous" which was bestowed upon him for his remarkable donations towards helping those in need and for the cause of Islam. When Ali married Fatima, Uthman bought Ali's shield for five hundred dirhams. Four hundred was set aside as mahr (dower) for Fatima's marriage, leaving a hundred for all other expenses. Later, Uthman presented the shield back to Ali as a wedding present.
Uthman participated in several military expeditions of the early Islamic period, though he did not join the Battle of Badr, as Muhammad commanded him to remain in Medina to take care of his wife and Muhammad's daughter, Ruqayya, during her terminal illness; Muhammad granted him a share in the spoils of war as if he had been present. During the Battle of Uhud, Uthman was among those who retreated, an event for which he was said to be forgiven by a Qur'anic revelation.[ 3:155 -The Clear Quran]
In the immediate aftermath of Uhud, Uthman joined the Battle of Hamra al-Asad, during which he acted as a protector for Mu'awiya ibn al-Mughira. He was also among the riders who accompanied Muhammad during the Siege of Banu Qurayza. Following the siege, Uthman purchased a portion of the captives from Muhammad, an action intended to help secure weapons and horses for the military. During the campaigns of Ghatafan and Dhat al-Riqa, Muhammad left Uthman in charge of Medina when the Muslim army ventured out of the city.
In 628, when Muhammad and the Muslims headed toward Mecca to perform Umrah, they were stopped at Hudaybiyya by the Quraysh. After other attempts at negotiation failed, Muhammad dispatched Uthman as his envoy to inform the Meccan leaders that the Muslims intended a peaceful pilgrimage. The Quraysh received Uthman well and offered him the opportunity to perform the circumambulation of the Kaaba, but he declined to do so while Muhammad was barred from entering.
When Uthman’s return was delayed, rumors spread that he had been killed. In response, Muhammad summoned his companions to the Pledge of the Tree (Bay'ah al-Ridwan), where they pledged their fidelity. Because Uthman was absent, Muhammad placed his own hand over his other, declaring it to represent Uthman’s pledge. Shortly thereafter, Uthman returned safely, and the negotiations concluded with the signing of the treaty.
In 630, Uthman played a significant role in the Expedition of Tabuk by providing the largest individual financial contribution for the army of 30,000 men and 10,000 cavalry. Ibn Ishaq records that Uthman personally equipped one-third of the army and donated 1,000 gold dinars to support the campaign, a contribution noted for its unprecedented scale among the companions.
Role during Abu Bakr's caliphate (632–634)
Uthman had a very close relationship with Abu Bakr, as it was due to him that Uthman had converted to Islam. When Abu Bakr was elected as caliph, Uthman was the first person after Umar to offer his allegiance. During the Ridda Wars (Wars of Apostasy), Uthman remained in Medina, acting as Abu Bakr's adviser. On his deathbed, Abu Bakr dictated his will to Uthman and Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, nominating Umar as his successor.