Men of Excellence : Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (ra)
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).
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 during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra), the Holy Qur’an was compiled into the form of a single book. 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 make copies of the Holy Qur’an, in the dialect of the Quraish as that was the dialect in which it was revealed; and that it should be kept in the same order as set by the Holy Prophet(sa). Thus, the Holy Qur’an remained preserved in its original form, exactly as it had been revealed to the Holy Prophet(sa).
His Holiness(aba) explained that before it had been permissible for the Holy Qur’an to be recited in different dialects as many people would not be able to understand the original dialect. Thus, in order for it to be more accessible and easily understood, this was permissible. However, by the time of the Caliphate of Hazrat Uthman(ra), Madinah had become the centre of Arabia, and tribes who had once been far and divided were now united and often met. In this manner, the original dialect became more widespread and understood by most. Thus, the initial allowance of recitation in different dialects which was based on the situation at the time, was no longer needed. Therefore, in order to ensure that the text remained exactly as it was revealed, including the dialect in which it was revealed, Hazrat Uthman(ra) took this step and ensured that copies made were in the original dialect.
His Holiness(aba) said that he will continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman(ra) in the future.
Appeal for Prayers & Launch of Chinese Desk Website
His Holiness(aba) again made an appeal for prayers for Ahmadis facing hardships in Pakistan, Algeria and anywhere else in the world.
His Holiness(aba) said that he would be launching the Chinese Desk website. This website will enable people to acquire information in Chinese regarding the Community. Furthermore, various content including literature, books, questions and answers will be made available. His Holiness(aba) prayed that this website proves to be a means of guidance for the Chinese people.
Funeral Prayers
His Holiness(aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers in-absentia of the following deceased members.
Muhammad Yunus Khalid Sahib, an Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who passed away on March 15. He served the Community in Pakistan and African countries for 40 years. He is survived by his wife and son who is also a missionary. Muhammad Yunus Khalid Sahib always used to say that God always fulfilled whatever need he had. He had a zeal for serving the Community, and if called upon, he would immediately get up and do whatever service was required of him. He was at the forefront of spending in the way of Allah. His Holiness(aba) prayed that Allah Almighty treats the deceased with mercy and forgiveness.
Dr. Nizamuddin Boodhun Sahib who passed away on March 15. He received a scholarship from the Third Caliph(rh) upon which he travelled to Pakistan and studied medicine. He was then sent to serve in a hospital in Nigeria, and thereafter he served until his demise in Ivory Coast. He is survived by a son and a daughter. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may his children remain attached to the Community. Nizamuddin Boodhun Sahib possessed many great qualities and was a virtuous person. He would take special care of children and would have some toys for them in the clinic so that they could play when they came to see him. He was very caring and at times would buy medicine for the patients himself. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah treat the deceased with mercy and forgiveness.
Salma Begum Sahiba who passed away on January 24. She was regular in her prayers, and possessed many virtuous qualities. She is survived by two sons and three daughters. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah treat the deceased with mercy and forgiveness.
Kishwar Tanveer Sahiba who passed away on February 27. She endured various illnesses with great patience. She is survived by two sons and two daughters and many grandchildren. She possessed many great qualities. She was very generous in giving alms and to the less fortunate. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah treat the deceased with mercy and forgiveness.
Abdur Rahman Hussain Muhammad Khair Sahib of Sudan who passed away on December 24, 2020. Upon hearing about Ahmadiyyat from his brother, he made great efforts to watch MTA, and eventually, in 2010, he accepted Ahmadiyyat. He possessed many great qualities. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Community in Sudan and presented many financial sacrifices for this cause. Many people have attested to his great qualities. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah keep them attached to the Community and Khilafat, and may Allah treat the deceased with mercy and forgiveness.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.