The third caliph of Islam (644–656), Uthman ibn Affan was one of the closest companions of the Prophet Muhammad. His caliphate was marked by the standardization of the Quran and the expansion of the Muslim empire, but also by internal tensions that ultimately led to his assassination.
Uthman ibn Affan(574 — 656)
Uthman ibn Affan
Hedjaz, califat Rachidun
8 min read
Frequently asked questions
Key Facts
- Born around 574 in Mecca, from the Umayyad clan
- One of the earliest converts to Islam, he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad
- Elected third caliph in 644 following the assassination of Umar ibn al-Khattab
- Had the text of the Quran compiled and standardized into a single authoritative edition (around 650)
- Assassinated in 656; his murder triggered the first Islamic civil war (fitna)
Works & Achievements
Under Uthman, a commission of scribes led by Zayd ibn Thabit established the definitive canonical version of the Quran. This undertaking is considered one of the most significant in world religious history, as it permanently fixed the sacred text of Islam.
The armies of the caliphate, under the command of Abdullah ibn Sa'd, launched the first major expedition into Ifriqiya (present-day Tunisia), laying the groundwork for the gradual Islamization of the Maghreb.
Uthman authorized the governor of Syria, Mu'awiya, to build a naval fleet. It went on to win the Battle of the Masts against Byzantium (655) and enabled the conquest of Cyprus, marking the beginning of Islamic maritime power in the Mediterranean.
Uthman reorganized the empire's provinces, appointed governors, and improved tax collection. He also developed the infrastructure of Islamic cities, most notably the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
The caliphate's troops extended their control to the Caucasus, consolidating the empire's northeastern borders and paving the way for the gradual Islamization of these regions.
Anecdotes
Uthmān ibn Affān was nicknamed 'Dhū al-Nūrayn' (the one with two lights) because he successively married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad: Ruqayyah, and then, after her death, Umm Kulthūm. Such an honor was unprecedented and reflected the deep trust the Prophet placed in him.
Even before becoming caliph, Uthmān was renowned for his extraordinary generosity. During the preparation of the Muslim army for the Battle of Tabūk (630), he personally funded a third of the expedition, providing horses, camels, and supplies — earning him high praise from the Prophet.
It was under Uthmān's caliphate that the canonical version of the Quran was established. Noticing that divergent recitations were spreading throughout the empire, he tasked Zayd ibn Thābit with compiling a single authoritative text. All other versions were subsequently destroyed to prevent discord among the faithful.
Uthmān was the first caliph to die a violent death. In 656, a group of rebels from Egypt and Iraq besieged his home in Medina. He refused to flee or allow his supporters to fight on his behalf, hoping to prevent a civil war among Muslims, and was assassinated while reading the Quran.
A prosperous merchant from the Quraysh tribe before the advent of Islam, Uthmān was one of the earliest converts to the faith. His wealth allowed him to purchase and free enslaved people who had converted to Islam, and to fund the nascent Muslim community at several critical moments.
Primary Sources
The Prophet said: 'Whoever finances the army in the hour of hardship shall have Paradise.' Uthman said: 'I will take care of that,' and he brought nine hundred saddled camels and one hundred horses.
Uthman ordered Zayd ibn Thabit to gather the Quranic pages and collate them, then had faithful copies sent to the major cities of the empire, commanding that all other versions be burned.
The rebels besieged him in his home for forty days. Uthman refused to let blood be shed in his name and told his defenders to return to their homes, then continued reading the Quran until they reached him.
Uthman ibn Affan was a man of extreme modesty; the angels themselves, according to the Prophet, would veil themselves before him. He was among the ten to whom Paradise was promised during their lifetime.
The Prophet said: 'The most deserving person to lead this Islam after me is Abu Bakr, then Umar, then Uthman.' And he thus indicated the order of the caliphs to come.
Key Places
Uthman's birthplace and the cradle of Islam. As a member of the Quraysh tribe — guardians of the Ka'ba — he built his merchant fortune there before joining the first Muslims.
The city where Uthman settled after the Hijra, serving as the seat of Islamic government and the caliph's residence. It was in his home in Medina that he was assassinated in 656.
Capital of the Kingdom of Abyssinia, where Uthman and his wife Ruqayya took refuge during the first emigration of persecuted Muslims fleeing Mecca, around 615.
Capital of the province of Syria, governed by Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan, who was appointed by Uthman. Damascus would later become the capital of the Umayyad Caliphate following Uthman's death.
The ancient Sasanian Persian capital, conquered under the previous caliphate and consolidated under Uthman. A symbol of Islam's rapid expansion eastward.
Typical Objects
Uthman is credited with standardizing the written text of the Quran. The codex he commissioned and distributed throughout the empire remains to this day the basis for Quran editions used worldwide.
The silver seal of the Prophet Muhammad, which had been kept by Abu Bakr and then Umar, passed to Uthman. He wore it until the day he accidentally dropped it into a well in Medina — an event regarded as an ill omen for his caliphate.
Essential tools of the scribes tasked with transcribing the Quran under Uthman. The compilation effort enlisted several secretaries who carefully copied and compared verses onto parchment and bone.
A long tunic of linen or white cotton paired with a wool cloak, typical of wealthy merchants from Mecca in the 7th century. Uthman had built his fortune through trade before devoting his wealth to the Islamic cause.
A symbol of military and political power, the caliph's sword represented supreme authority over the community of believers. Uthman refused to allow it to be drawn against the rebels who besieged his home.
Under Uthman, the caliphate developed its first war fleet capable of challenging Byzantium in the Mediterranean. These vessels enabled the conquest of Cyprus and the assertion of Islamic naval power at sea.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
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Daily Life
Morning
Uthmān would rise before dawn for the Fajr prayer, which he performed at the Prophet's Mosque alongside the community. He then devoted part of the morning to reciting the Quran, a practice to which he was deeply committed. Political audiences and consultations with his advisors began after sunrise.
Afternoon
The afternoon was dedicated to affairs of state: receiving provincial governors, reviewing military reports, and arbitrating disputes within the community. Uthmān regularly consulted the senior Companions of the Prophet when making important decisions.
Evening
In the evening, after the Maghrib and Isha prayers, Uthmān would withdraw to the privacy of his home for personal prayer and Quran recitation. Chroniclers report that during his spiritual vigils he would often recite the entire Quran in a single night.
Food
Uthmān's diet was simple and in keeping with Islamic dietary laws: barley or wheat bread, dates, olive oil, mutton or camel meat on special occasions, camel's milk, water, and fruit juice. Despite his considerable wealth, he led a relatively frugal life.
Clothing
The caliph wore a long white linen or cotton tunic (thawb), a symbol of purity, along with an outer cloak (ridāʾ) and a turban. Finer fabrics might be used for official occasions, but Uthmān was known for his modest dress.
Housing
Uthmān lived in a stone residence in Medina — sturdier than the typical mud-brick constructions of the time, a reflection of his means but without excessive ostentation. The house included an interior courtyard, separate quarters for his wives, and reception areas for visitors.
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Visual Style
Palette désertique et austère du Proche-Orient au VIIe siècle : lumière dorée, architecture de terre crue, robes blanches, calligraphie naissante et intérieurs ombragés aux tons chauds.
Sound Ambience
Ambiance sonore de Médine au VIIe siècle : appel à la prière, récitation coranique, activité marchande et bruits du quotidien dans une ville en plein essor religieux et politique.
Liens externes & ressources
Références
Œuvres
Codification du Coran (Mushaf Othmânien)
vers 650
Expansion de l'empire islamique en Afrique du Nord
647
Création de la première flotte de guerre musulmane
649-654
Réforme administrative de l'empire
644-656
Conquête de l'Arménie et de l'Azerbaïdjan
652
