Basics of Religious Education — Page 240
240 240 240 240 240 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION During the first six years of his Khilafat, the Islamic Empire not only expanded, but also its people enjoyed peace and prosperity. Standard copies of the Holy Qur’an were prepared from the one compiled by Hadrat Abu Bakr ra , and sent to all the provinces of the state. This was certainly his most important deed. But the last six years of his Khilafat passed in chaos and conflicts due to the conspiracies of certain groups including that of Abdullah Bin Sabah, a Jew who had become a Muslim with the intention to weaken the Islamic state. As a result of this, some people from various groups started laying unjustified charges against Hadrat `Uthman ra , whose sincere explanations seemed to go unheeded. Also, due to his extremely kind and gentle character, these rebellious people increased in their mischief. In this dangerous situation, Hadrat `Uthman ra , showed great tolerance and utmost patience to avoid the bloodshed of innocent Muslims. Towards the end of his Khilafat, various groups who wanted to depose Hadrat `Uthman ra entered Medina. He refused to fight them, as he did not want to shed the blood of fellow Muslims. His house was surrounded by the rebels who demanded that he step down, but Hadrat `Uthman ra refused to step down from the God-given position of Khilafa. This was because of his just and firm belief that a Khalifa is made by God and not by people. Hadrat `Uthman ra was then martyred on June 17, 656 A. D. , at the age of eighty-two, while he was reading the Holy Qur’an. Certainly, he sacrificed his life for the integrity of Khilafat and in the best interest of Islam. H H H H H O L O L O L O L O LY Y Y Y Y P P P P P ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET ROPHET SA SA SA SA SA A N D A N D A N D A N D A N D S S S S S UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS UCCESSORS — H — H — H — H — H ADRA ADRA ADRA ADRA ADRAT T T T T `U `U `U `U `U THMAN THMAN THMAN THMAN THMAN G G G G G HANI HANI HANI HANI HANI RA RA RA RA RA 6. 5 6. 5 6. 5 6. 5 6. 5 His Demise