The Life and Legacy of Hazrat Usman (RA)

Assalamu Alaikum everyone! On 18th Dhul Hijjah, we remember the shahadat of Hazrat Usman ibn Affan (RA), the third Khalifah of Islam. I wanted to share some of his amazing works for Islam and the Ummah. Hazrat Usman (RA) was one of the very first to embrace Islam. He accepted the deen through Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) at a time when becoming Muslim meant huge hardships. After he reverted, his own family turned against him badly. I've read that a relative locked him up and tried to make him leave Islam, but he held firm. He was also among the early migrants for the sake of Allah. He and his wife, Hazrat Ruqayyah (RA), who was the daughter of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, left Makkah and went to Abyssinia to escape the persecution. When the Muslims settled in Madinah, finding clean water was a big problem. There was a well called Bir Rumah that belonged to a Jewish man who sold water at steep prices. Hazrat Usman (RA) bought the well using his own money-spending 20,000 Dinars-and gave it free to the people of Madinah. During the Tabuk expedition, the army was in a tough financial spot. Hazrat Usman (RA) gave one of the biggest contributions ever-hundreds of camels, horses, and lots of gold, covering a big part of the campaign. The Prophet ﷺ praised him highly for it. It's said he donated one-third of his entire wealth for that cause. A special honor he has is marrying two daughters of the Prophet ﷺ. He first married Hazrat Ruqayyah (RA), and after she passed, he married Hazrat Umm Kulthum (RA). That's why he's called "Dhun-Nurayn"-the Possessor of Two Lights. Maybe his longest-lasting gift was preserving the Qur'an. When he was Khalifah, he made sure the Qur'anic text was compiled and standardized, and he sent authenticated copies all over the Muslim world, protecting its recitation and words for us all. Hazrat Usman (RA) was known for his modesty, giving nature, patience, and complete dedication to Islam. Even though he was one of the richest men of his era, he spent his wealth and life for the deen. May Allah be pleased with him and let us learn from his beautiful character and sacrifices. Ameen. A neat fact: he was just six years younger than our beloved Prophet (PBUH). The Prophet ﷺ once said everyone will have a companion in Jannah, and he told Usman, "You will be my friend in Jannah." May Allah grant all of us reading this the chance to meet Hazrat Usman (RA) in Jannah and hear straight from him about his journey to Abyssinia and the Tabuk expedition. Ameen ya Rabb.