Uthman b. Maz’un [radiyallahu anh]

Through the guidance of Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anh), he and his wife embraced Islam. He was the thirteenth person to accept the faith. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) appointed him as the leader of the group that migrated to Abyssinia. He participated in both migrations to Abyssinia. 

He once said, “Why should I drink something that clouds my mind, makes me laugh at those who are morally beneath me, and reduces my dignity?” Even during the era of ignorance, he never drank alcohol. He was a beloved and endearing person, loved by both friends and enemies alike. He was the first Muhajir to pass away in Medina and be buried in the cemetery of Baqi’.

May Allah be pleased with him. 

Here are a few stories from his life…

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"If Only Both My Eyes Were Taken”

Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) was walking around the Kaaba when the famous Arab poet, Labid, gathered the people of Makkah around him and began reciting poetry. One of his verses was: 

- Everything except Allah is doomed to perish.

Upon hearing this, Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) said, 

- By Allah, you have spoken the truth. 

Labid continued: 

- Every blessing will inevitably vanish one day.

Uthman b. Maz’un objected, 

- No, by Allah, you have lied! The blessings of Paradise will never perish.

Feeling humiliated by Uthman’s objection, Labid turned to the people of Quraysh and said, 

- This young man is insulting me in front of you, and you allow it?

A fight ensued, and Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) received a serious blow to his eye. 

Walid b. Mughira, a prominent Qurayshi polytheist and a relative of Uthman, approached him. Swelling with a sense of kinship, Walid said, 

- Listen, Uthman! I offer you my protection. All I want is for you to be safe. I can protect you against all the Arab tribes.

When Walid finished speaking, Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) refused the offer and said, 

- Allah’s protection is better than yours. I do not regret what I have said. The only thing I regret is that only one of my eyes was injured. One of my eyes has already been wounded in the way of Allah; I wish the other had also been sacrificed!

"Have You Turned Away From My Path?"

One day, the mother of the believers, Aisha (radiyallahu anha), visited Hawla (radiyallahu anha), the wife of Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh). She found that Hawla (radiyallahu anha) had withdrawn from worldly matters and was sitting in old, worn-out clothes. When Aisha (radiyallahu anha) asked about her condition, Hawla (radiyallahu anha) said, 

- My husband Uthman has no need for the world anymore. He fasts all day and prays all night. He no longer finds any pleasure in worldly life.

Upon hearing this, Aisha (radiyallahu anha) reported the matter to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), who then summoned Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) and said to him: 

- O Uthman! Do you not believe that I am a beautiful example for you?

- Indeed, O Messenger of Allah! You are the best example for us.

- Then why have you turned away from my path?

- No, O Messenger of Allah! I only wish to follow your path.

- O Uthman! Indeed, I stand for prayer at night, but I also sleep. I fast, but I also eat. I am with my wife as well. Fear Allah, O Uthman! Your family has a right over you, your neighbor has a right over you, and your own self has a right over you. Fast, but also take days when you eat. Pray at night, but do not neglect sleep.

His Passing

The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) loved Uthman b. Maz’un (radiyallahu anh) dearly. Shortly after the migration to Medina, Uthman fell ill. During his illness, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) frequently visited him. 

When Uthman passed away, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was at his bedside. After his death, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) wept and kissed him on the forehead. Aisha (radiyallahu anha) narrated: 

“When Uthman passed away, the Prophet was sitting beside him. He wept so much that his tears fell onto Uthman’s cheeks. After his death, the Prophet kissed Uthman on the forehead.”