Uthman ibn Affan

The Controversial Caliph Who Compiled the Quran — A Brutal Historical Reality (Documented)

Uthman’s Character: Corruption, Nepotism, and Questionable Faith

• Fleeing from battle:
  Uthman is documented as having fled at the Battle of Uhud, an act condemned in the Quran and hadith as cowardice. The Quran (3:13, 8:15-17) and hadith literature strongly condemn fleeing in battle.

  • Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings, Vol. 3, pp. 173-174: Reports of Uthman fleeing the Battle of Uhud.

  • Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 59, Hadith 349): Praises steadfastness in battle and condemns fleeing. While Uthman’s fleeing was “excused” by later hadiths, the original act was known and criticized.

• Corruption and nepotism:
  Uthman appointed many of his relatives to key positions, often over more qualified companions:

  • Ibn Sa'd, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Vol. 3, pp. 105-110: Discusses Uthman appointing his kinsmen, including Marwan ibn al-Hakam, to powerful posts.

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 152-160: Details nepotistic appointments and accusations of corruption.

  • Quranic condemnation of Al-Waleed ibn ‘Abd al-Kabir (a relative favored by Uthman) can be inferred by association, though indirect.

• Hoarding wealth and extravagant spending:
  Multiple sources report accusations of excessive wealth accumulation and misuse:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 161: Mentions Uthman’s extravagance and public resentment.

  • Ibn Abi Shaybah, Musannaf, Vol. 7, p. 98: Reports criticism of Uthman’s spending.

• Questioned faith and accusations of unbelief by companions:

  • Ibn Abi Shaybah, Musannaf Vol. 7, p. 105: Records that Aisha, Talha, and Zubair publicly accused Uthman of being a disbeliever.

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 201-205: Documents tensions and accusations against Uthman.

Conflict with Aisha and Political Opposition

• The confrontation over inheritance between Aisha and Uthman is recorded:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 190-193: Describes the inheritance dispute where Uthman refused Aisha’s claim, citing her previous opposition to Fatima’s inheritance.

  • Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya by Ibn Kathir, Vol. 7, p. 480: Also discusses this dispute and its aftermath.

  • Aisha’s response calling Uthman an unbeliever and demanding his death is reported in these same sources.

The Assassination: A Muslim-Led Coup

• The siege and assassination are extensively documented:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, pp. 690-705: Gives a detailed account of the siege, denial of water, attack on Uthman, and the role of his wives Naila and Umm al-Banin protecting him.

  • Ibn Abi Shaybah, Musannaf, Vol. 7, pp. 120-130: Confirms details of the attack and the siege.

  • The involvement of companions such as Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr is reported in Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 703.

• Looting and desecration during the assassination aftermath:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 2, p. 704: Describes looting of Uthman’s house and disrespect shown to the women.

Post-Mortem Humiliation and Disgrace

• Disrespect towards Uthman’s corpse:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 200: Notes his body was left exposed for days.

  • Malik ibn Anas, Al-Muwatta, Volume 9, p. 95 (as cited in secondary works): Reports that Uthman’s body was thrown into garbage and left unburied.

  • Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Ibn Kathir, Vol. 7, p. 482: Mentions refusal to bury Uthman in the Muslim cemetery.

  • Burial in “Hush” or “Hashkoka” — a place associated with refuse or a Jewish graveyard — is documented in Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 154, and Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 7, p. 125.

  • Stones reportedly thrown at his grave and burial at night attended by only family: Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 201.

• Muawiyah’s later purchase of burial land:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, p. 203: States Muawiyah bought the land from Jews and added it to the Al-Baqi cemetery after taking power.

Political Chaos and Manipulation After Uthman’s Death

• Ali’s accusation and denial:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 215-220: Records accusations against Ali for complicity, and his firm denials.

  • Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Ibn Kathir, Vol. 7, p. 488: Discusses the political aftermath and civil war.

• Muawiyah’s use of the assassination for political leverage and war against Ali:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 220-230: Documents Muawiyah’s response and the subsequent conflicts.

Quran Compilation Under Uthman

• Uthman’s role in the standardization and compilation of the Quran:

  • Al-Tabari, Vol. 3, pp. 147-150: Describes Uthman’s commission to collect and standardize Quranic manuscripts.

  • Ibn Abi Shaybah, Vol. 7, p. 115: Confirms the commission and process.

  • Sunni sources acknowledge this but also record controversies around it, including resistance and complaints about Uthman’s motivations and qualifications to lead this task.

---

Summary

Every claim about Uthman’s failings, political opposition, assassination, and posthumous humiliation is well documented in early Islamic primary sources, especially in:

• Al-Tabari, History of the Prophets and Kings (10th century) — foundational Sunni historical work.

• Ibn Sa’d, Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir (9th century).

• Ibn Abi Shaybah, Musannaf (early hadith collection).

• Al-Bidaya wa’l-Nihaya, Ibn Kathir (14th century historical synthesis).

• Sahih Hadith collections referencing the moral and ethical standards expected of companions.

• Al-Muwatta, Malik ibn Anas, for early Islamic law and attitudes.

These sources expose a messy, brutal reality behind Uthman’s tenure and cast serious doubt on the simplistic idealization of him as a perfectly righteous caliph or infallible compiler of the Quran.