And it is necessary for us that we discuss in detail about...

And it is necessary for us that we discuss in detail about the personal qualities of Uthman and understand his political stances. It is also necessary that we undertake a brief study of the events of his reign that had definite effect on Islam and subjected the world of Islam to untold hardships and evils. We have no option but to state those facts because [1] Ittehaajaatul Shaar Arabi, Pg. 26 [2] Ibne Athir, 7/148. Yaqubi, Tarikh 2/140 [3] Al-Maufiqyaat, Pg.

202 those events also affected the life of Imam Husain (‘a) and they cast light from various angles on the tragedy of Kerbala, which was itself a definite result of those events, which in turn was the consequence of distortion in the values of Islamic beliefs. And after this tragedy of Kerbala, it became obvious for us that it was the result of those events that carried its important effects that had played a very important role in changing the principles of Islam.

Aspects of Uthman’s Personality The most important and well known aspects of Uthman’s personality are as follows: 1 – He was a man of weak will and he lacked determination and he did not have any sort of stability of determination through which he could have put his intentions into practice.

Also he did not possess any strength to face and control undesirable situations in a time when the Umayyads had gained control over the reins of affairs and were in power in all the parts of the Islamic lands. And Uthman was not capable to take any definite step against them or do anything to restrain them from fulfilling their aims. On the basis of what historians have said he was in relation to them like a dead body in the hands of a funeral bath-giver.

Marwan Ibn Hakam was the administrator of his affairs. He gave to whomsoever he liked and deprived anyone he wanted. He spent public wealth according to his whims and desires without paying any attention to Islamic laws. Uthman did not have any control or choice in the events faced by the regime because he had absolute trust in Marwan and had entrusted him with all the matters connected to rulership.

Ibn Abil Hadid quoting from his Shaykhs says, “In fact, it was Marwan who was the caliph and Uthman was only having the title of the caliph.” Strength of determination has the perfect effect on the making of a personality of man and his stability and it imparts to him personal strength so that he may face the crises that he may come across in life.