The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 132
Seal of the Prophets - Volume III 132 Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra as an Ambassador of the Muslims The Holy Prophet sa saw this mischief of the Quraish and also heard of the state of anger and rage prevalent among the people of Makkah, from Khirāsh bin Umaiyyah. Therefore, in order to cool the Quraish and bring them aright, the Holy Prophet sa intended to send a prominent individual to Makkah who was from among themselves and was from a venerable tribe of the Quraish. Therefore, the Holy Prophet sa said to Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb that, “It would be best that you go to Makkah and fulfil the responsibility of an ambassador on behalf of the Muslims. ” Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar ra said, “O Messenger of Allāh, you know that the people of Makkah are increasing in their enmity towards me and at this time, there is no prominent person from my tribe present in Makkah who possesses influence over the people of Makkah. For this reason, it is my view that in order to ease the road to success, ‘ Uthmān bin ‘Affān be chosen to offer this service, whose tribe, the Banū Umaiyyah, are presently very powerful. Furthermore, the people of Makkah cannot dare to act wickedly against ‘Uthmān and there are greater prospects of success. ” The Holy Prophet sa was pleased by this proposal and instructed Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra to go to Makkah and inform the Quraish of the peaceful designs of the Muslims and their intent to perform ‘Umrah. 1 The Holy Prophet sa also gave Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān a personal letter which was addressed to the chieftains of the Quraish. In this letter, the Holy Prophet sa had expounded the purpose of his journey, and assured the Quraish that their purpose was merely the observance of a worship and that they would peacefully perform the ‘Umrah and return thereafter. The Holy Prophet sa also said to Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra that, “Try to meet the weaker Muslims as well and lift their spirits, and tell them to show a little more patience. For God is soon to open the door of success upon us. ” 2 Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra went to Makkah with this message, and after meeting Abū Sufyān, who was the Chieftain of Makkah at that time as well as a near relative, Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra was presented before a public gathering. In this meeting, Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra presented a letter sent by the Holy Prophet sa and this letter was also read individually by the chieftains of the Quraish. 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 685, Amrul-Ḥudaibiyyati Fī Ākhiri Sanati Sittin/Rasūlullāhi sa Yab‘athu ‘Uthmān-abna ‘Affāna Ilā Makkata, Dārul-Kutubil- ‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 2 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 3, p. 222, Amrul-Ḥudaibiyyah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)