Uthman bin Affan (R) The Third Caliph of Islam

'Uthman bin 'Affan رضي الله عنه was one of the earliest men to accept Islam in Makkah. He was a wealthy merchant, and from the moment he became a Muslim he put his fortune at the service of the religion, spending most of what he had on the needs of poor Muslims.

Two examples are still remembered. When Madinah's only sweet-water well was owned by a man charging the Muslims for it, 'Uthman bought it and gave it away to everyone. When the army going to Tabuk could not be equipped, he funded a large part of it himself.

Recognizing his generosity and his devotion, the Prophet ﷺ told him that his place would be in Paradise. He married the Prophet's ﷺ daughter Ruqayyah, and after she died he married her sister Umm Kulthum — which is why the people of that time called him Dhun-Nurain, the Man with the Two Lights. He became the third Caliph of Islam, and in his time the Qur'an was gathered into a single authoritative copy.

About the Golden Series

The Golden Series of the Prophet's Companions tells the life of one Companion per book, in language written for young readers and for families reading together. Each account is drawn from authentic Islamic sources and told as a story rather than a lesson — which is why children finish them.

The series works well for Islamic schools and weekend academies, for home libraries, and as a reading reward or gift. Because each title stands alone, a family can start anywhere and collect the rest over time.

More in the Golden Series

Each title in the series covers one Companion in the same short, readable format. Eighteen are currently available:

• Salman Al-Farisi — In Quest of Truth
• Abu Dhar Al-Gifari — Struggle for Equality
• Abdullah bin 'Umar — The Jurist
• 'Amr bin Al-'Aas — The Conqueror of Egypt
• Abu Bakr As-Siddiq — The First Caliph
• 'Ali bin Abi Talib — The Fourth Caliph
• Abu 'Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah — The Nation's Trustworthy
• Az-Zubair bin Al-'Awwam — The Disciple
• Khabbab bin Al-Aratt — The Teacher
• 'Umar bin Al-Khattab — The Second Caliph
• Bilal bin Rabah — The Mu'adhdhin
• Jabir bin Abdullah — The Example of Sacrifice
• Khalid bin Al-Waleed — The Sword of Allah
• Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas — The Lion in the Deen
• Sa'd bin Mu'adh — The True Supporter of Islam
• Suhaib Ar-Roomi — The Example of Sacrifice
• Talhah bin 'Ubaidullah — The Living Martyr

Related Reading

• Heroes of Islam — over 70 short biographies in a single volume
• Commanders of the Muslim Army — the commanders of the early Muslim armies
• Q&A on the Rightly Guided Caliphs — the four caliphs in question-and-answer form