Hazrat Sayyiduna Uthman e Ghani (R.A)

Hazrat Uthman (R.A) belonged to a noble family of Quraish in Makkah. His father's name was Affan and his mother was Urwa. His (R.A) ancestral lineage joins with that of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) in the fifth generation. He (R.A) was from the "Umayyah" family of Quraish, which was a well reputed and honourable family of Makkah during the pre-Islamic days.

Hazrat Uthman (R.A) was one of the few people of Makkah who knew how to read and write. When he grew up, he started business in cloth which made him very rich. He used his money in good causes and always helped the poor. Hazrat Uthman (R.A) was a soft natured and kind hearted man. He did not hesitate to spend any amount of money on seeing a man in trouble in order to remove his misery. For his noble qualities the Makkans had great respect for him. He was known as "Al Ghani" (The Generous).

Hazrat Uthman (R.A) accepted Islam when Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) preached to him. He was amongst those Muslims who accepted Islam in its very early days and also had the honour of marrying the beloved daughter of Holy Prophet (S.A.W), Hazrate Ruqayyah (R.A).

When life in Makkah became hard for the Muslims, he went to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) and sought permission to migrate to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) with his blessed wife, Hazrate Ruqayyah (R.A) along with other Muslims. He (R.A) returned back to Makkah after couple of months. Later on Hazrat Uthman (R.A) migrated for the second time with other Muslims to Madina.

Hazrat Uthman (R.A) could not participate in the first battle of Islam against non-believers of Makkah at Badr, because his blessed wife was very ill. She (R.A) passed away before the Muslims returned from Badr after the victory.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) gave him glad tidings that he would get the same reward as though he had participated in the battle. After the death of Hazrate Ruqayyah (R.A), the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) married his other daughter, Hazrate Umm Kulthum (R.A) with him and he (R.A) was given the title of Zun-Noorain (Possessor of Two Lights).

Hazrat Uthman e Ghani (R.A) was the Third Caliph of Islam. His (R.A) Caliphate lasted for 12 years. On Friday 17th Zil Hajj, 35 AH, he (R.A) was Martyred at home whilst reading the Holy Quran and is buried in the blessed graveyard in Madina Shareef, known as Janathul Baqi.