Musnad Ahmad

Musnad Ahmad 420

Musnad Uthman ibn Affan Search within the hadiths
Musnad Ahmad 420
Arabic hadith text
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو قَطَنٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ يَعْنِي ابْنَ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ أَشْرَفَ عُثْمَانُ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ مِنْ الْقَصْرِ وَهُوَ مَحْصُورٌ فَقَالَ أَنْشُدُ بِاللَّهِ مَنْ شَهِدَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ حِرَاءٍ إِذْ اهْتَزَّ الْجَبَلُ فَرَكَلَهُ بِقَدَمِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ اسْكُنْ حِرَاءُ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ إِلَّا نَبِيٌّ أَوْ صِدِّيقٌ أَوْ شَهِيدٌ وَأَنَا مَعَهُ فَانْتَشَدَ لَهُ رِجَالٌ قَالَ أَنْشُدُ بِاللَّهِ مَنْ شَهِدَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ بَيْعَةِ الرِّضْوَانِ إِذْ بَعَثَنِي إِلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ إِلَى أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ قَالَ هَذِهِ يَدِي وَهَذِهِ يَدُ عُثْمَانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ فَبَايَعَ لِي فَانْتَشَدَ لَهُ رِجَالٌ قَالَ أَنْشُدُ بِاللَّهِ مَنْ شَهِدَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَنْ يُوَسِّعُ لَنَا بِهَذَا الْبَيْتِ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ بِبَيْتٍ فِي الْجَنَّةِ فَابْتَعْتُهُ مِنْ مَالِي فَوَسَّعْتُ بِهِ الْمَسْجِدَ فَانْتَشَدَ لَهُ رِجَالٌ قَالَ وَأَنْشُدُ بِاللَّهِ مَنْ شَهِدَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَوْمَ جَيْشِ الْعُسْرَةِ قَالَ مَنْ يُنْفِقُ الْيَوْمَ نَفَقَةً مُتَقَبَّلَةً فَجَهَّزْتُ نِصْفَ الْجَيْشِ مِنْ مَالِي قَالَ فَانْتَشَدَ لَهُ رِجَالٌ وَأَنْشُدُ بِاللَّهِ مَنْ شَهِدَ رُومَةَ يُبَاعُ مَاؤُهَا ابْنَ السَّبِيلِ فَابْتَعْتُهَا مِنْ مَالِي فَأَبَحْتُهَا لِابْنِ السَّبِيلِ قَالَ فَانْتَشَدَ لَهُ رِجَالٌ‏.‏
Translation
It was narrated that Abu Salamah bin `Abdul-Rahman said

`Uthman (رضي الله عنه) looked out from the house when he was under siege and said: I adjure by Allah anyone who was present with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) , on the day of Hira`, when the mountain shook beneath his feet; he kicked it with his foot and said: “Be still, Hira`, there is no one on you but a Prophet, a Siddiq or a martyr,` and i was with him. And some men testified to what he said. Then he said: I adjure by Allah anyone who was present with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day of Bai’atul-Ridwan, when he had sent me to the mushrikeen, the people of Makkah; he said, `This is my hand and this is the hand of `Uthman,` and he swore allegiance on my behalf. And some men testified to what he said. Then he said:l adjure by Allah anyone who was present when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: `Who will expand the mosque by incorporating this house into it, in return for a house in Paradise?” and I bought it with my wealth and expanded the mosque by incorporating it into it. And some men testified to what he said. Then he said: I adjure by Allah anyone who saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day of the army of hardship (i.e., Tabook), when he said: `Who will spend today a spending that will be accepted by Allah?` and I equipped half of the army with my wealth. And some men testified to what he said, Then he said:I adjure by Allah anyone who saw the water of Roomah (a well) being sold to wayfarers, then I bought it with my own wealth and gave it to wayfarers for free.` And some men testified to what he said.

Commentary

Overview & Central Theme

This profound hadith from Musnad Ahmad (420), narrated on the authority of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), presents a stirring testimony of his unparalleled sacrifices for Islam during the darkest hours of his siege. The central theme is the demonstration of sincere faith through tangible, selfless expenditure and action, and the divine validation of such deeds through the Prophet's ﷺ explicit commendations. Uthman's public adjuration serves as a powerful reminder that true loyalty to Allah and His Messenger is proven not by claims, but by recorded, witnessed sacrifices that stand as enduring monuments of devotion. It underscores the principle that Allah honors those who honor His cause, and that the legacy of a believer is etched in the annals of divine acceptance, even when worldly tribulations abound.

Context & Linguistic Insights

The hadith occurs during the fateful siege of Uthman's house in 35 AH, when rebels sought to force his abdication. Rather than capitulate, Uthman (RA) addressed the besiegers, invoking Allah as witness to his past glories. The term "Hira'" refers to the mountain near Makkah, whose trembling was a miracle signifying divine presence. "Siddiq" denotes the veracious one, a title of Abu Bakr (RA). "Bai'atul-Ridwan" (Pledge of Divine Pleasure) references the allegiance taken under a tree at Hudaybiyyah, where the Prophet ﷺ pledged on Uthman's behalf, symbolically using his own hand. "Jaysh al-Usrah" (Army of Hardship) is the expedition of Tabuk, a time of extreme scarcity. "Bi'r Rumah" (Well of Rumah) was a water source Uthman purchased and dedicated as a public endowment (waqf). Each incident highlights a distinct facet of his generosity—spiritual, political, financial, and social—demonstrating comprehensive sacrifice.

Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits

  • Virtue of Uthman (RA): This hadith establishes Uthman's lofty rank, corroborating the Prophet's ﷺ statement, "Every Prophet has a companion in Paradise, and my companion is Uthman" (Tirmidhi). The attestations of his presence at Hira', his proxy pledge, and his immense spending affirm his place among the foremost of the Sahabah.
  • Legitimacy of Public Testimony: Uthman's method of publicly adjuring witnesses demonstrates the permissibility of reminding others of one's past virtues in times of slander or oppression, as a means of defense and clarification, not boasting. Scholars note this as a form of tazkiyah (self-praise) allowed under necessity.
  • Excellence of Waqf (Endowment): The purchase of Bi'r Rumah and its dedication for public use is a foundational precedent for the Islamic law of charitable endowments. Uthman's act of "buying Paradise" through this well illustrates the principle that ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) secures eternal reward.
  • Spending in Times of Hardship: Equipping half of the army of Tabuk highlights the virtue of spending during difficulty, as Allah praises those who give in ease and hardship (Surah Al-Imran: 134). This action earned Uthman the Prophet's ﷺ prayer: "O Allah, be pleased with Uthman, for I am pleased with him."
"Uthman's public enumeration of his sacrifices during the siege was not a display of vanity, but a profound act of courage and certainty. He reminded the ummah of the divine covenant, that the fire of tribulation cannot extinguish the light of a believer's past deeds, for Allah records and rewards every act of sincerity." — Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, Fath al-Bari

Daily Life & Spiritual Application

For the contemporary Muslim, this hadith is a clarion call to cultivate a legacy of sacrificial giving and unwavering integrity. It teaches us to invest in deeds that outlive us—endowments, charitable institutions, and acts of service that benefit the ummah perpetually. It urges us to spend generously, especially in times of personal or communal hardship, trusting that Allah's acceptance is the ultimate return. Moreover, it instills the courage to stand firm in truth when falsely accused, relying on one's recorded deeds and Allah's knowledge as the ultimate vindication. Let us emulate Uthman's model by asking ourselves: What have we given that will be witnessed on the Day of Judgment? What wells of goodness have we dug for the thirsty? The legacy of Hira', Ridwan, Tabuk, and Rumah beckons us to inscribe our names in the ledger of divine pleasure through sincere, selfless action.