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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Caliphate and Imamate ‘Uthman’s Caliphte While 'Uthman was a successful merchant, before his election in 23/644 he had, at no time displayed any qualities of public leadership. Among the six members of the electoral council, he was the only one who had never been entrusted by the Prophet (S.A.W.A.) or the first two caliphs with leading a raid or an army.

Before the election, he had no political ambitions and can hardly even have thought of himself as a potential candidate for supreme reign. Yet he was put forward as the only counter-candidate to 'Ali. As twice the Prophet's son-in-law, he could better rival 'Ali's close kinship ties with the latter than could the rest. Quite unprepared for his office, he ascended the pulpit after his election and apologized, “O people, we have not been orators.

If we live, the oration will come to you in proper shape, God willing.”[^1] During the election, 'Uthman had twice pledged without hesitation that he would follow the Book of God, the Sunna of His Prophet, and the practice of Abu Bakr and 'Umar, while 'Ali b. Abi Talib had cautiously stated that he would do so to the limit of his ability.[^2] The unabashed favoritism towards his close kin that he showed from the beginning of his reign stood in marked contrast to this commitment.

He granted his cousin Marwan b. al-Hakam[^3] the war booty ( khums ) of Ifriqia and gave his close relatives money from the treasury. He also took the sums of money and borrowed money from the treasury saying, Abu Bakr and 'Umar left what belonged to them of this money, but I take it and distribute to my kin.[^4] Shortly after his accession, he deposed 'Umayr b. Sa'd al-Ansari, governor of Hims, Qinnasrin and Upper Mesopotamia, at his request and turned these provinces over to Mu'awiya.

This meant a substantial increase in Mu'awiya's power, which enabled him later to challenge and defy 'Ali. 'Uthman also dismissed 'Amr b. al-'As as the governor of Egypt and appointed his own foster-brother 'Abd Allah b. Sa'd b. Abi Sarh.[^5] 'Abd Allah killed seven hundred men for one man, but 'Uthman only dismissed him and did not reproach him.[^6] In 25/695, he replaced Sa'd b.

Abi Waqqas, whom he had appointed the previous year, as the governor of Kufa with a transgressor ( fasiq )[^7] like 'Umayyad al-Walid b. 'Uqbas b. Abi Mu'ayt his maternal brother. He committed wine drinking.