Author: Shukran Ahmadi
The Biography of Hazrat Ali “MAPH” (Part 14)
The siege and martyrdom of Hazrat Usman and the heroic role of Hazrat Ali (MAPH) in supporting him
Finally, the Caliph of the Muslims Hazrat Usman (MAPH) was attacked and there a sedition occurred that did not deserve the position of the caliphate of a period that was close to the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr and Umar (MAPH). But according to Ostad Akkad: “It was chaos, and such feats are not a problem for rioters.”
The rioters surrounded Usman in his house and did not let him leave the house and go to the mosque. Many companions stayed in their homes and did not go out. This siege continued from the end of the month of Zul-Qaida until Friday, the 18th of Zul-Hijjah. One day before this date, Hazrat Usman addressed the Muhajirin and Ansar who were in his house, and their number reached seven hundred, and among them Abdullah bin Umar (MAPH), Abdullah bin Zubair (MAPH), Hasan, Hussain, Marwan, and Abu Hurairah promised a lot. His servants were also present, and he said: I swear to all those whom I have the right to return, to leave the place and return to their homes.
A large number of the elders of the Companions and their children were present in that gathering. This crowd of 700 people, if allowed to fight and defend, would have been enough to prevent these rioters. Hazrat Usman (RA) even said to his slaves: Whoever sheathes his sword is free. It is narrated that after Usman (MAPH) forced the people to leave, the last person to leave his presence was Hassan bin Ali (MAPH).
When Hazrat Ali (MAPH) asked for permission from Hazrat Usman (MAPH) to defend him and fight the rioters, he replied: I swear by all those who see the burden of themselves, even from Allah, that I also have a right over them. that they should not shed a drop of their own or others’ blood on the ground for my sake. Hazrat Ali (MAPH) went to the mosque, when he arrived at the time of prayer, the people asked him to go ahead and lead the prayer with them, but he replied: How can I pray while the Imam is surrounded, I will pray alone then He prayed separately and returned to his home.
The encirclement of siege became difficult for Hazrat Usman (MAPH), and he ran out of drinking water and had to ask the Muslims for help in this regard. Then Hazrat Ali himself (MAPH) got on his Donkey and took some water bottles with him and reached the house of Usman (MAPH). After he heard rude and insulting words from that ignorant people and they chased him away, he finally brought the water inside the house.
Belazari “Ansab al-Ashraf” says: Ali (MAPH) became aware of the incident and sent a bucket of water. Many of the followers of Bani Hashim and Bani Umayyad were injured on the way to deliver this water, otherwise it would not have been possible for the water to reach the house easily. Abu Muhammad Ansari says: On the day of the incident, I saw Usman (MAPH) in his house while Hossein bin Ali (MAPH) was defending him. After a few moments, Hazrat Hassan (MAPH) was injured, and I was one of those who took him out of the house in a state of injury.
Hazrat Nafee narrates from Ibn Umar (MAPH) that Usman (MAPH) said on the morning of the day when he was martyred: I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in a dream, he said: O Usman! Visit us today! For this reason, I have fasted today, as he was martyred on the same day. While he was put the Quran in front of him and was busy reciting.
