Martyred Over the Mushaf

After a siege of many days, in which even water was kept from him, the rebels broke into 'Uthman's house. He was in his eighties, fasting, and reading the Qur'an. They struck him down where he sat; his wife Na'ilah threw herself between him and the swords and lost her fingers. The histories report that his blood fell upon the verse ﴿فَسَيَكْفِيكَهُمُ اللَّهُ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ﴾ (“Allah will suffice you against them, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing”) (2:137).

His death opened the door to the civil strife (fitnah) that would test the community for years. The Prophet ﷺ had spoken of trials to come, and of a man who would be on guidance on that day; and he had climbed Uhud with 'Uthman and named him a martyr.

He was buried at night beside al-Baqi'. 'Ali, who had sent his sons to guard the door, was grief-stricken. The Muslims who came after would pray, as the Qur'an teaches, ﴿رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا﴾ (“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and put no rancour in our hearts toward those who believe”) (59:10).