Q. (a) Give an account of: (i) the election of the caliph ‘Uthman,
and (ii) the compilation of the Qur’an that took place during his
caliphate.
[10]
[N 2016/21]
ELECTION FOR CALIPHATE
 Before death Hadrat Umar had named six people to select a
caliph from among themselves. They were Uthman, Ali, Talha,
Zubayr, Saad Ibn Abi Waqqas and Abdul Rahman Ibn Awf.
 When they had a meeting, they did not arrive on a final
decision. Abdul Rahman withdrew his name and it was decided
that he would take the final decision.
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He consulted each member individually and many other senior
companions. Uthman voted for Ali and Ali voted for Uthman.
But majority was voting in the favour of Utman.
So Abdul Rahman gathered people in the mosque and
announced the appointment of Uthman. The Muslim then
came and took pledge on his hand.
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Q. (a) Write in detail about the policy followed by ‘Uthman as
caliph in expanding and maintaining the state.
[10]
[N 2016/22]
Expansion In The East
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Within six months after his election troubles arose in Persia in
violation of the terms of the treaties. The revolts were, however,
suppressed. Yazdarid III was killed and his son fled to China
and further extension of territory took place.
The people of Azarbijan broke the treaty so Uthman sent
Waleed b. Uqba and they sought a treaty again.
Waleed sent 12000 troops to Arminia. They subjugated it and
returned with hands full of booty.
As for Al-Rayy Uthman ordered Abu Musa Ashari to send
army and it was conquered again.
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In 29 AH Abu Musa Ashari was replaced by Abdullah b.
Aamir in Basra. He controlled Kerman, Sajistan, Neshapur,
Nasa and other parts of Khurasan.
Abdullah b. Aamir sent Ahnaf b. Qays towards Tukharistan
who conquered many areas there.
Abdullah b. Aamir sent Abdul Rahman b. Samura who
conquered all places from Ghazni to Kabul.
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Expansion In The West
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Uthman was the first one to allow Muslims to campaign by sea
on the insistence of Muawiya.
Muslims laid the siege of Cyprus and a treaty was signed. They
would not help Byzantines against Muslims and give 7200
dinars every year.
In 652 they broke the treaty. Then Muawiya attacked from
Akka and Abi Sarh from Alexandria. They captured the island
and developed it.
Uthman had deposed Amr b. Aas and had appointed Abdullah
b. Saad b. Abi Sarh as governor.
A commander, Manuel, attacked with a fleet of 300 ships and
captured Alexandria.
Uthman appointed Amr b. Aas and he conquered it again.
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Conquest Of North Africa
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Abdullah b. Sarh, governor of Egypt, sent cavalries like scouting
parties to North Africa and gathered enough information about
strategic locations.
Muslims proceeded from Fustat and then joined by Uqba b.
Nafi’. They were 20,000 and enemies were 120,000.
All offers were rejected by Gregory and intense battle started.
Meanwhile Abdullah b. Zubayr arrived with reinforcement.
Abdullah penetrated to Gregory and killed him and brought his
head on his spear. At this they started fleeing like birds. This is
called the Conquest of Subytalah.
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Battle of Masts
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Constantine, son of Heraclius, set out with a 1000 of ships to
avenge his continuous loss at sea.
Muawiya sent ships from Syria and Abi Sarh took them from
Egypt, but in al there were 200 ships.
They met in the sea and Romans were defeated in the Battle of
Masts. Muslims destroyed their naval supremacy.
Muslims also attacked Spain and established some colonies on
the coastland of Spain to enter into trade relations with the rest
of Spain and other parts of Europe.
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Q. (a) Give an account of the administration of the caliphate
under ‘Uthman.
[10]
[N 2020/21]
Religious Measures
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In the time of Uthman, Hudhaifa reported that the people of
different regions had different readings of the Holy Quran.
The people of Homs held that their reading of the Holy Quran
was correct as they had learnt it from Miqdad an eminent
companion.
The men of Basra held that their reading was correct as they
had learnt it from Abu Musa Ashiari.
In Kufa, the people claimed superiority for their reading as they
had learnt it from Abdullah bin Masud an authority on the
subject.
It was stressed that unless some attempt was made to unify the
text, that was likely to be a cause of split among the people.
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The question was considered by the Majlis-i-Shura, and it was
decided that an authoritative standardized text should be
compiled.
Uthman appointed a Committee comprising: Zaid b Thabit,
Abdullah b Zubair, Saeed b Al 'Aas , and Abdur Rahman b Al
Harith.
This Committee was commissioned to prepare an authorized
text in the dialect of Quraish.
Uthman checked the compilation himself and finally approved
it. Copies of this edition were prepared and supplied to all parts
of the dominions.
All previous copies in use in the various parts of the Muslim
dominions were collected and burnt.
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Uthman started offering full prayer in Arafat, Mina and
Muzdalifa from 649. He had married in Makkah and had a
house there. He also had some property at Taif.
Uthman held that according to his Ijtihad, a stage had reached
when the concession was no longer necessary, and the prayer
should be offered in full.
He also argued that in case he continued the practice of
shortening the prayers, the Bedouins were apt to feel that the
prayers comprised two rakaats only.
On the occasion of the Friday prayers he introduced a second
call or Takbir for the convenience of the people.
He provided stipends for the first time for the 'Muezzins'.
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On the occasion of the Ramadhan, he increased the daily
allowances of the people.
He also arranged to supply free meals to all concerned at the
time of the breaking of the fast.
Uthman built 5000 mosques and made special arrangement for
the upkeep of mosques.
Uthman enlarged, extended, and embellished the Prophet's
mosque at Madina. He enlarged and extended the Holy Kaaba
as well.
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Economic Prosperity
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During the time of Uthman the income of the State increased
considerably.
In the time of Uthman the economic resources of the State
were: Zakat, Ushr, Khara;, Jazya, Fay and Ghanimah. Zakatwas a 2.5 per cent levy on capital assets.
Previously no Zakat was levied on horses and slaves. Uthman
reviewed the position and considered these things as definite
capital assets. It was Uthman’s Ijtihad and was in public interest.
Umar had fixed the stipends of the people. On assuming office,
Uthman increased these stipends by 25 per cent. That was an
economic measure which contributed to the prosperity of the
people.
More and more markets were constructed. Uthman appointed
Market officers to look after markets.
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Land Administration
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Under Umar it had been laid down as a policy that the lands in
conquered territories were not to be distributed among the
combatants, but were to remain the property of the previous
owners.
Uthman followed the policy devised by Umar. In the time of
Uthman there were more conquests, and the revenues from
land increased considerably.
In the time of Uthman the army once again raised the demand
for the distribution of the lands but Uthman turned down the
demand.
The army could not agitate openly against Uthman, but in the
vilification campaign that was carried against Uthman, the
rebels had the indirect support of the army.
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Economic Restraints
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Umar had placed a ban on the sale of lands in conquered
territories. He had also placed a ban on the movements of
the Companions and did not permit them to leave Madina.
Uthman was a shrewd businessman and trader. He knew that
trade could not flourish under restraints. He was a democrat
by temperament, and he therefore withdrew the restrictions.
Uthman also permitted the eminent Companions to draw
loans from the public treasury as a consequence their
business flourished and they amassed a good deal of fortune.
When the Companions were allowed the right of free
movement and they were allowed the facility of drawing loans
from the public treasury, some of the Companions became
the owners of large estates.
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The policy of Umar about the Companions was “neither the
world should see them, nor they should see the world”.
Uthman had a different view about the role of the
Companions.
He was of the view that the services of the Companions, the
founding fathers of Islam, should be recognized, and facilities
should be provided to them so that they might live in
comfort in their old age.
Brisk building activity took place in Madina. Many palatial
buildings grew up in the city, and the city expanded a good
deal.
The economic policies of Uthman though conceived in
public interest had serious political repercussions.
Difficulties arose because some of the persons grew rich
overnight, and no institutions were devised to regulate the
proper flow of wealth.
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Public Work
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Many new buildings came to be constructed in Madina, and the
city expanded considerably. Uthman relaxed the restriction on
the construction of large houses. Uthman built a palatial
building for himself known as the "Zawar".
Many other Companions constructed large buildings. Intensive
building activity took place at Kufa, Basra, Damascus, Fustat
and other cities.
During the caliphate of Uthman as many as five thousand new
mosques were constructed.
During the caliphate of Uthman, guest houses were provided in
main cities.
He extended Janntul Baqi as well.
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In Iraq, Egypt and Persia numerous canals were dug which
stimulated the process of agricultural development.
In Madina, a number of wells were dug to provide drinking
water for the people.
The water supply in Makkah was also improved. Water was
brought to Kufa and Basra by canals.
Heretofore Shuaibia was the port for Makkah. It was
inconvenient. Uthman selected Jeddah as the site of the new
seaport.
With the expansion in army, the cantonments were extended
and enlarged. More barracks were constructed for the soldiers.
Stables for the cavalry were extended. Uthman provided
separate pastures for State camels. In Rabza there was the
largest grazing land.
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Social Organization
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Uthman himself was an embodiment of all the Islamic social
values, but the society around him underwent a change.
During Uthman's time the State became prosperous; and that
created a gulf between the rich and the poor.
In Madina the flying of pigeons and the shooting of arrows for
divining fortune became the pastime of the people during the time
of Uthman.
Uthman took strong note of these social evils that made Uthman
unpopular with the younger generation in Madina.
During the caliphate of Uthman the Muslim society fell a prey to
disunity, and things came to be looked at from the partisan point
of view rather than community as a whole.
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Causes for the disintegration
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Politically power was captured by a particular section and that
caused discontentment among the other-people.
Economically the people came to be motivated by the desire to
get rich. That created imbalance in society; and the gulf
between the haves and the have nots came to be widened.
Socially the society lost the homogeneity of the day of the Holy
Prophet and came to be dominated by the diversity of social
interests.
Uthman as Caliph did his best to arrest this process of social
disintegration, but for causes beyond his control he could not
overcome the social crisis.
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(b) In your opinion what was ‘Uthman’s greatest achievement as
caliph?
[4]
[N 2020/21]
 In my opinion compilation of Quran during his time was the
greatest thing.
 It is because of his collection Quran remained safe from
corruption and Muslims remained united on the authentic
version of dialect.
 Otherwise Muslims could be divided into many sects having
different versions of Quran like followers of other divine
religions.
 Quran is the foundation of Islam so he actually gave strong
footing to real Islam and this service has a direct impact on
Muslims lives even today.
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(b) How justified was the criticism on Uthman regarding
burning of the Quran?
[4]
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It was a totally unjustified criticism as this was rather a great
service of Islam and Quran.
The books revealed to all previous prophets had been
corrupted by the followers of the respective prophets. But for
the measure undertaken by Uthman, the same fate would
have befallen the Holy Quran.
This criticism is entirely misconceived. The burning of the
unauthorized texts could by no stretch of imagination be
called a sacrilege.
It was on the other hand a most pious act as it united the
Muslim community on an authoritative and standard text for
all times
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Q. (a) Outline the reasons for the unrest against ‘Uthman and
write an account of the rebellion in Madina that led to his
martyrdom. [J 2019/21]
[10]
Paragraph 1: Causes of the revolt
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He remained caliph for twelve years. The first eight years
passed in harmony but the last four years were full of unrest.
He was aged and size of empire was too vast.
Uthman was a very gentle and soft-hearted person.
He sometimes overlooked the mistakes of the governors and
other officers in various provinces, which made them bold.
There was also rivalry between the Arabic and non-Arabs of the
newly conquered areas.
He made his cousin Marwan b. Hakam very strong by giving
many authorities and his reputation is not good in history.
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Abdullah Ibn Saba, a Yemenite Jew who outwardly accepted
Islam, created dissension among the Muslims.
He ignited rivalry among the Quraish, namely between the
house of Hashim and Umayyah.
Parapgraph 2: Charges Against Uthman [RA]
Uthman had appointed his close inefficient relatives as
governors in Basra, Kufa, Egypt and Syria.
Kufa - Saad b. Abi Waqas – Waleed b. Uqba
Basra – Abu Musa Ashari – Abdullah b. Aamir
Egypt – A’mr b. A’as – Abdullah b. Saad b. Abi Sarh
Syria – Muawiya - Muawiya
It was wrong as his governors were very efficient people. They
were appointed on the wish of the people and Uthman
appointed them due to their loyalty. Muawiyah in Syria was
appointed by Umar.
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It was alleged that Uthman was too lenient and did not keep a
check on his governors. It was also wrong as he punished
Waleed b. Uqba a very important governor for drinking.
He was accused of spending lavish life and spending money of
Bait-ul-Mal. Uthman was basically a rich person since beginning
and he spent his wealth for the welfare of Muslims instead of
taking money from public treasury.
It was made an issue that he had burnt the copies of the Quran.
In fact it was done to unite the Ummah.
It was said that Uthman demolished the old structure of the
Prophet’s Mosque which is disrespect. But Uthman did this to
extend the mosque with the permission of companions.
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They said Uthman has expelled Abu Dharr Ghifari, a senior
most companion of the Prophet, from Madina. But it was his
own decision.
They said that Uthman has reserved a large area near Jannat ul
Baqi for his personal camels but he had reserved it for the
camels of Bait ul Maal.
They said Uthman offered full prayer in Makkah during Hajj
which is against the practice of the Prophet and first two caliphs
but he did so as he had a property and family there.
There were some other false and baseless allegations against
him just to instigate people against him.
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Paragraph 3: Events Leading Up To Assassination
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Abdullah b. Saba travelled throughout the Islamic Empire and
asked people to come out against Uthman (ra).
He got many people to follow him in Basra, Kufa and Egypt
but he didn’t get that support in Syria as Muawiya (ra) was a
very vigilant governor.
He brought thousands of mischief mongers to Madina and they
laid down the siege of Uthman’s house.
The companions asked him for the permission of fighting but
he said that he did not want any bloodshed in Madina.
The rebels were demanding Uthman (ra) to resign but he
refused and was ready to answer their objections.
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He refused to resign because he was an elected caliph and
people want him to continue his services.
The prophet (pbuh) had said to hi once: “Allah will give you an
honour and hypocrites will ask you to remove it but you will not
remove it until you meet me.”
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Finally they agreed to leave on the condition that Muhammad
b. Abu Bakr would be appointed as the governor of Egypt.
Uthman accepted it.
On their way back a rider overtook them and sowed a letter, a
fake one, that Uthman (ra) ordered in this letter the governor of
Egypt to put the leaders of the force to death as they return
home.
They returned back to Madina and again laid the siege. They
were extremely furious this time.
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The siege lasted for fifty days and Uthman (ra) wasn’t allowed
to come out even for prayers.
Hadrat Ali appointed Hasan, Hussain and other young
companions to protect Uthman (ra) but the rebels entered the
house and murdered the caliph on18th of Zilhajj, 35 A.H while
he was reading the Quran in the state of fasting.
His wife, Naila (ra) tried to defend him but her fingers were
chopped off.
His blood fell on the Quranic verse which says: “Allah will
suffice them. He is all hearing all knowing.”
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He was buried on the same night in Jannat ul Baqi.
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(b) ‘Umar and ‘Uthman stood by what they believed to be just
and were martyred for the position they took. What lessons can
be learnt from their martyrdom? Give reasons for your answer.
[J 2019/21]
[4]
[Lessons from Umar’s martyrdom were previously deiscussed]
 Uthman taught us that a person should be firm against mischief
creators and must not surrender to their injust demands.
 He also taught us to perform your responsibility with all
dedication till your last breath.
 He was ready for his accountability as he was sure that he didn’t
do any corruption.
 He was killed while fasting and reading the Quran wich teaches
us to remain attached with Allah in all circumstances.
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