charges

intro

• A list of baseless and fabricated allegations was prepared against Hazrat Usman (RZ).

• He was accused of the following charges

Appointment of Relatives (Charge of Favoritism)

• It was alleged that Hazrat Usman (RZ) placed his relatives in important positions of authority.

• He appointed members of his own clan, the Umayyads, as governors in Syria, Egypt, Kufa, and Basra.

• Hazrat Muawiya (RZ), who had already been appointed governor of Syria by Hazrat Umar (RZ), was allowed to continue in his post by Hazrat Usman (RZ).

• In Egypt, Hazrat Amr bin Al-A’as (RZ) was replaced by Hazrat Abdullah bin Saad (RZ) because Hazrat Amr (RZ) could not efficiently manage the revenue system.

• Hazrat Abdullah bin Saad (RZ) conquered a larger part of Egypt and extended Muslim rule to North Africa.

• In Kufa, Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqqas (RZ) was replaced by Walid bin Uqba due to Hazrat Saad’s (RZ) inability to control the province effectively.

• Walid bin Uqba served the people of Kufa to the best of his ability and conducted successful campaigns in Azerbaijan and Armenia.

• In Persia, Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RZ), a cousin of the Caliph, replaced Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari (RZ) at the demand of the people of Basra.

• Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RZ) conquered Fars, Seestan, Khurasan, and other regions.

• These appointments were criticized as favoritism rather than merit.

• It was alleged that executive posts should have been given to Hashimites, not Umayyads, creating differences between the two clans.

allegation regarding quran

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) was accused of sacrilege and blasphemy for ordering the burning of copies of the Qur’an.

• Since the Qur’an is the Holy Book, its burning was considered unholy by opponents.

• In reality, this action was taken to destroy unauthentic copies and preserve unity among Muslims, preventing future misunderstandings.

allegation of misuse bait ul maal

• He was accused of misusing Bait-ul-Maal by distributing wealth from conquered territories unjustly.

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) was, however, a wealthy man from the beginning and spent his personal wealth for the welfare of Muslims rather than taking money from the public treasury.

• It was alleged that he gave excessive wealth to his relatives because they were governors.

• A rebel objected, saying:

  “You unlawfully gave away wealth and property to your relatives; for instance, you once gave the entire booty to Abdullah bin Saad.”

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) replied:

  “I have given him one-fifth from one-fifth of the booty. And we have such examples during the caliphate of Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar.”

allegation of leniency towards governers

• It was alleged that Hazrat Usman (RZ) was too lenient and failed to keep strict control over his governors.

• This allegation was incorrect, as he punished Walid bin Uqba when complaints were proven

allegation regarding mosque

• It was said that Hazrat Usman (RZ) showed disrespect by demolishing the old structure of the mosque.

• In reality, this was done to expand the mosque, and the decision was taken with the consent of senior companions

allegation regarding grazing lands

• It was alleged that Hazrat Usman (RZ) reserved grazing land for his personal camels.

• One person objected:

  “You have used your position for yourself and reserved grazing grounds for your camels.”

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) replied:

  “When I took the charge of caliphate, nobody in Medina had camels more than me. But today I possess only two camels and that only for the purpose of Hajj. However, the reserved grazing ground is used for state camels.”

allegation of too much love towards family

• One person said:

  “You love your family members most, and you give them heavy gifts.”

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) replied:

  “Love of family members is not a sin. And I give them gifts from my own possessions, not from the public treasury.”

Allegation Regarding Abu Dharr Ghifari (RA)

• It was alleged that Hazrat Usman (RZ) expelled Hazrat Abu Dharr Ghifari (RA) from Medina.

• This was incorrect; Hazrat Abu Dharr (RA) was distressed by the luxurious lifestyle of Medina and chose to live alone outside the city.

• The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) had foretold about him:

  “He spends his life all alone, death will single him out and on the Day of Resurrection he will stand up all alone.”

role of rebels and conspiracys

• These allegations created a snowball effect, leading to an uprising against the Caliph.

• This movement was mainly led by Abdullah bin Saba.

• When Hazrat Usman (RZ) learned of their conspiracies, he expelled them from Kufa and Basra.

• The conspirators then spread their activities, particularly in Egypt, where some Jews who had outwardly accepted Islam joined them.

• They incited Muslims in the name of Hazrat Ali (RZ), claiming that as the senior Hashemite, he deserved the caliphate.

• They gained support from Muhammad bin Abu Bakr (RA), who held resentment because Hazrat Usman (RZ) appointed his foster brother as governor of Egypt instead of him.

• After spreading influence in Kufa and Basra, the rebels prepared to march towards Madinah.

• Hazrat Usman (RZ) remained lenient, considering them his Muslim brothers, which unfortunately encouraged the rebels further.