Why do you want to kill me? I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: `It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim man except in one of three cases; a man who commits zina after being married, so he is to be stoned, or a man who killed deliberately (committed murder), so he is to be killed in retaliation, or a man who apostatised after having become Muslim, so he is to be executed.” By Allah, I never committed zina either during the Jahiliyyah or in Islam, I never killed anyone such that my life should be taken in retaliation; and I never apostatised since [became Muslim bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger,
Exegesis of the Hadith from Musnad Uthman ibn Affan
This narration from Musnad Ahmad 452 contains the profound statement of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) when besieged by rebels. He establishes his innocence by referencing the three exceptional cases where Muslim blood may be lawfully shed, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Three Cases Permitting Capital Punishment
The married adulterer (muhsan) who commits zina - such a person is subject to stoning as prescribed in Islamic jurisprudence, provided all conditions of evidence are met.
The intentional murderer - Islam establishes the principle of qisas (retaliation) for deliberate killing, maintaining justice while allowing for forgiveness and blood money as alternatives.
The apostate who abandons Islam after embracing it - this ruling applies to one who openly renounces the faith and persists in apostasy after being offered repentance.
Scholarly Commentary on Uthman's Defense
Uthman's declaration demonstrates the proper application of Islamic legal principles. He systematically refutes each possible justification for his execution, affirming his continuous adherence to Islam since conversion.
His testimony "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger" serves as ultimate proof of his firm faith, making any accusation of apostasy baseless.
This incident stands as a eternal lesson in Islamic justice, where even a caliph must be judged according to established divine law rather than political expediency or mob sentiment.