Uthman Ibn Affan: the Third Caliph of Muslim World

Uthman ibn Affan was the third of the four Sunni “rightly guided” caliphs, or Rashidun, along with Abu Bakr (r. 632–634), Umar ibn al-Khattab (r. 634–644), and Ali ibn abi talib (r. 656–661). A member of the Umayyad clan of the qUraysh tribe of mecca, he inherited his father’s business and became a wealthy trader before converting to islam. After his conversion, he became Muhammad’s son-in-law. On the death of Umar ibn alKhattab, the committee charged with electing a successor named Uthman caliph. This angered the supporters of Ali, who was both Muhammad’s son-in-law and his cousin and was thus a blood relative of the Prophet. As caliph, Uthman continued the expansion of the empire begun by Abu Bakr and Umar ibn alKhattab. He also defeated attempts by the Byzantines to recover some of their lost territory. Uthman centralized the administration of the caliphate, dividing it into 12 provinces, each with a governor, chief judge, and tax collector. Some of these administrative positions, including the governorships of four provinces, were given to members of Uthman’s own Umayyad family. Many saw this as nepotism. Objections were also raised to one of Uthman’s other projects: compiling the definitive text of the Quran. Until that time, the Quran had been an oral text, memorized and recited by followers of Muhammad. Uthman formed a committee to collect all versions of the Quran, both oral and written, and to prepare a definitive written version of the text. Some of Uthman’s opponents saw this as religious innovation and an attempt to control the text of the Quran. Combined with economic difficulties resulting from mismanagement of the empire’s finances, these issues led to widespread discontent. In 656 Uthman was assassinated in his home. A civil war erupted over who should succeed him as caliph. Thus, Uthman’s death marked an important turning point in Islamic history, as it signalled the beginning of open conflict within the Islamic community (Source: Encyclopedia of Islam).