The third caliph — and the fitnah that ended his life
In this Urdu translation, Dr. 'Ali Muhammad As-Sallabi presents the life of the third caliph of Islam, 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (رضي الله عنه), in Seerat Uthman Dhun-Noorayn (سیرت عثمان ذوالنورین) — highlighting his great achievements as well as the turmoil he faced from the hypocrisy movement that plagued Muslim society during his reign. The book also addresses the misrepresentations of 'Uthman fabricated by his enemies and perpetuated, inadvertently or otherwise, by later writers and historians.
Why "Dhun-Noorayn" — possessor of two lights
'Uthman ibn 'Affan was the fourth person to accept Islam, at the invitation of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (رضي الله عنه), and he faced severe persecution from his own family and clan as a result. The Prophet ﷺ loved 'Uthman so deeply that he gave him two of his daughters in marriage in succession, earning him the title Dhun-Noorayn — "possessor of the two lights." The Prophet ﷺ gave him the glad tidings of Paradise, saying that whatever he did after that day would not harm him.
His caliphate's achievements and trials
During his caliphate, the Islamic empire expanded far into Azerbaijan and south into North Africa and Nubia, with many canals built, guest houses established at waypoints, and a much stronger Muslim navy assembled — 'Uthman was the first Muslim ruler to build a naval fleet, ordering it to meet the Byzantine navy's aggression head-on. He also established judicial and financial institutions that strengthened the empire. The final years of his caliphate, however, were filled with great trials, which eventually led to his martyrdom and the division of the Muslim Ummah.
Why this history matters
The study of history is of great importance, especially for Muslims who have been denied full access to their own heritage due to the upheavals of recent centuries and the tampering that has affected some historical accounts. Reading the authentic history of 'Uthman's caliphate directly counters the distortions his detractors spread, both in his own time and since.
Related Reading
Continue with Urdu: Seerat Umar Farooq (2 Vol. Set).
اردو تعارف
یہ کتاب مسلمانوں کے تیسرے خلیفہ برحق حضرت عثمانؓ کی اجلی سیرت کے مستند واقعات کا مرقع ہے۔ حضرت عثمانؓ ذوالنورین تھے، ناشرِ قرآن تھے، سچائی اور سخاوت کا مجسمہ تھے۔ اپنے عہد کی سپر پاور سلطنتِ روم کی افواج نے مسلمانوں پر بحری حملے کیے تو حضرت عثمانؓ نے پہلا مسلمان بحری بیڑا تیار کیا۔ آپؓ نے مسلمانوں میں دولت کی منصفانہ تقسیم کی عدیم النظیر مثال قائم کی۔ اس کتاب میں یہ تمام واقعات مستند حوالوں سے پیش کیے گئے ہیں۔
