In his final hours, Sayyiduna ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, the third Caliph of Islam, sat not behind armies, but alone in his home - guarded only by the Qur’an he had spent his life preserving. Outside, rebels gathered. Inside, his heart was tranquil. That night, he saw the Prophet in a dream, alongside Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. The Prophet ﷺ looked at him with love and said, “O ‘Uthman, break your fast with us tonight.”
When he awoke, he understood. This wasn’t a warning. It was an invitation. He woke up and fasted that day. He freed twenty slaves. He asked for a simple cloth to wrap around himself. There were no calls for help, no attempts at escape. He opened the Qur’an before him and began to recite, letting the words of God carry him into serenity. He told a few people that it would be his last day in the world because he had been given gladtidings by Rasulallah ﷺ.
Then they came. The rebels broke in. He was struck while reciting. His blood spilled onto the pages of the very Qur’an he had compiled - the Book that millions would later hold, read, and memorize. His life ended in submission, in dignity, in worship. Fasting. Reciting. Ready. His blood dropped on the verse, 'And Allah will be sufficient for you against them.' (Surah Baqarah). No one was involved in his martyrdom that day, except that they met with terrible endings
He wasn’t defeated. He was chosen. Sayyiduna ‘Uthman gave everything for the Deen. He gave his wealth, his status, his comfort, and his life to serve Islam. He lived for the Qur’an, and he died with it in his hands. Betrayed by men, but welcomed by the Prophet ﷺ. Denied by some in the world, but honoured in the heavens.
We hold his legacy every time we open the Qur’an. We owe him more than remembrance. We owe him gratitude. May his martyrdom remind us: true strength isn’t loud. It is in patience, in principle, and in returning to Allah with nothing in your hands except faith, and everything in your heart except regret.
May Allah honour our leaders, the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Ya Rab, grant us all the honour to see Rasulallah ﷺ in our dreams and to be buried in Madinah.
