After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman (ra). Later in the sermon, His Holiness (aba) launched the new Chinese Desk website of the Community.
Modesty of Hazrat Uthman (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that Hazrat Uthman (ra) possessed the greatest level of modesty and humility from among his people. It is narrated that once the Holy Prophet (sa) was laying down and resting in his home. During this time, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) asked permission to enter and the Holy Prophet (sa) permitted him, whilst he was still lying down. Similarly, Hazrat Umar (ra) asked permission to enter and the Holy Prophet (sa) permitted him, whilst still lying down. Then, when Hazrat Uthman (ra) asked permission to enter, the Holy Prophet (sa) sat up and adjusted his clothes. Later, when asked why he had done this only when Hazrat Uthman (ra) walked in and not for the others, the Holy Prophet (sa) replied saying that he showed modesty before the same person in whose presence the angels also show modesty.
Simplicity of Hazrat Uthman (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said regarding the simplicity of Hazrat Uthman (ra), that he would arrange water for ablution at night by himself. Once someone asked him why he did not have one of his workers arrange the water, to which Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied that the workers should be given time to rest at night, hence he would arrange the water himself.
His Holiness (aba) related that Hazrat Uthman (ra) said that since he had accepted Islam, there was not a single Friday on which he did not free a slave. The only time he would not free a slave on a Friday was when there were no slaves to be freed. In that case, he would free a slave on a different day of the week. It is also recorded that during the time when his home was under siege, Hazrat Uthman (ra) freed 20 slaves.
Generosity of Hazrat Uthman (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that once during a battle, the Muslims were extremely hungry and did not have any food. The Holy Prophet (sa) told them that by sundown, they would have something to eat. Upon hearing this, Hazrat Uthman (ra) sent nine camels to the Holy Prophet (sa). Upon asking where they had come from, the Holy Prophet (sa) was informed that they had been sent to him as a gift by Hazrat Uthman (ra). Upon this, the Holy Prophet (sa) raised his hands and prayed for Hazrat Uthman (ra).
Compilation of the Holy Qur’an
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Uthman (ra) also had the honour of being the scribe for some revelations received by the Holy Prophet (sa). For example, he was the scribe who wrote down the revelation of Surah Muzzammil.
His Holiness (aba) said that the copies of the Holy Qur’an were compiled in the form of a single book during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). Later, during the time of Hazrat Uthman (ra), he was informed that there were some discrepancies in the way some people were reciting the Holy Qur’an. At the time, the original copies of the Holy Qur’an were in the care of Hazrat Hafsah (ra). Hazrat Uthman (ra) wrote to her, requesting for those transcripts so that copies could be made, and then he would return the original copies to her. Then, Hazrat Uthman (ra) gathered the senior companions from the Quraish, and instructed them to