As soon as Caliph Uthman saw Abu Dharr...

As soon as Caliph Uthman saw Abu Dharr, he started reviling him without having any regard for his honour in the eyes of the Holy Prophet. It appears from the statements of the historians that Uthman said whatever came to his mind in that state of fury and rage. He even said, "It is you who have committed improper acts". Abu Dharr said, "I did nothing except that I gave you an advice and you took it ill and sent me away from you. Then I advised Mu'awiyah.

He also did not like it and turned me out". Uthman said, "You are a liar. You are nursing sedition in your mind. You want to provoke Syria against me". Abu Dharr said, "O Uthman! only follow Abu Bakr and Umar and nobody will say anything against you". Uthman said, "What does it matter if I follow them or not. May your mother die!" Abu Dharr said, "By Allah, you cannot accuse me of anything except that I direct people to do good and prevent them from doing unlawful acts".

At this Uthman was filled with rage and said, "O courtiers! Advise me as to what I should do with this old liar. Should I punish him with flogging, send him to prison, get him killed, or exile him. He has created dissensions in the Muslim society. Having heard this Ali, who was present there, said, "O Uthman! I advise you like the believer of the nation of Firaun to leave him to himself. If he is a liar he will get the recompense for it, and if he is truthful you will certainly be a sufferer.

Allah does not guide him who is extravagant and liar. At this there arose an altercation between Uthman and Ali which I do not want to narrate [^1]. Muhammad bin Ali bin A'tham Kufi, writes in this connection: Ali said to Caliph Uthman, "Do not give him (Abu Dharr) any trouble. If he is a liar he will suffer its consequences, and if he is truthful, that what he says will come to light". Uthman did not approve of this talk of Ali.

Angrily he said to Ali, "Dust in your mouth!" Ali also repeated the same words. Then Ali said, "O Uthman! What is all this you are doing? What an injustice are you committing! It is not proper for you to utter such words about Abu Dharr who is the friend of the Prophet of Allah, on the basis of some unknown things which Mu'awiyah has said. Are you not aware of the opposition, oppression, sedition and corruption of Mu'awiyah? On hearing this Caliph Uthman kept quiet".