‘Uthman [radiAllahu anhu] bore the characteristic of patience, as is indicated by his steadfastness at the time of fitnah. His attitude in facing the events that befell him and the Muslims was the highest example of self-sacrifice that any person could offer for the sake of preserving the community and the honor of the ummah, and preventing Muslim blood from being shed.
He could have protected himself if all he cared about was saving his own life without caring about the ummah. If he had been selfish he would have urged the Sahabah and the sons of the Muhajireen and Ansar who came to his defense to go and fight the outlaws who had rebelled against his rule. But he wanted to keep the ummah united, so he offered himself as a sacrifice. ‘Uthman [radiAllahu anhu] announced that he would face the overwhelming fitnah with patience[1] , in obedience to the words of Allah:
“Those (i.e. believers) unto whom the people (hypocrites) said, ‘Verily, the people (pagans) have gathered against you (a great army), therefore, fear them.’ But it (only) increased them in Faith, and they said : ‘Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs for us)”
(Aal ‘Imran 3:173)
Uthman [radiAllahu anhu] had strong faith in Allah and was noble-hearted, with deep insight and patience, so he sacrificed himself to save the ummah. That is one of the greatest of his virtues in the eyes of the Muslims.[2]
Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said:
It is well-known via tawatur that ‘Uthman was a person who refrained the most from bloodshed, and he was the most patient of people with those who would tarnish his honor and who planned to shed his blood and kill him. They besieged him with the aim of killing him, and he knew that they wanted to kill him; the Muslims came to support him and advised him to fight, but he kept urging the people to refrain from fighting. He told those who would listen to him not to fight.
It was said to him: Go to Makkah, but he said: I will not be one who causes the sanctuary to be violated. It was said to him: Go to Syria, but he said: I will not leave the land to which I migrated. It was said to him: Then fight them. He said: I will not be the first of the successors of Muhammad to confront his ummah by the sword. The patience that ‘Uthman showed until he was killed was one of the greatest of his virtues in the eyes of the Muslims. [3]
Footnotes:
[1] Siyar ash Shuhadah by al Sakhistiyani, p. 57,58
[2] Tahqeeq Mawaqif al-Sahabah min al-Fitnah, 1/472
[3] Manhaj as-Sunnah, 3/202, 203
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