Welcome to Ahmadiyyat, The True Islam — Page 200
− During the of Hadrat ‘Uthman the Islamic Empire Khilafat ra − ± ± − − expanded still further. A rebellion in Iran was crushed. In the North, the Romans were once again defeated by the Muslim forces led by Hadrat ± ± Amir Muawiah. Then the Romans came by the sea to invade Egypt, but ra − − were once again repelled by the Muslim forces. As a result of these battles, the whole of Iran, Asia Minor and Egypt came under Muslim control. It was during his that a navy and an Islamic fleet were established. Khilafat − − During his , standard copies of the Holy Qur’an were Khilafat − − prepared from the ones compiled by Hadrat Abu Bakr and sent to all the ra ± ± − provinces of the state. This was certainly his most important deed. The Holy Qur’an, as we see it today, was compiled during his and Khilafat − − under his direct supervision. The last six years of his , however, 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 an intention of weakening the Islamic state. − Towards the end of his , various groups who wanted to Khilafat − depose Hadrat ‘Uthman entered Medina. He refused to fight them, as he ra ± ± − 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 refused to step down from the God-given position of ra Khilafat − − because of his just and firm belief that a was made by God and Khalifah − not by people. Hadrat ‘Uthman was then martyred on June 17, 656 AD, at the age ra ± ± − of eighty-two, while he was reciting the Holy Qur’an. He certainly − sacrificed his life for the integrity of in the best interest of Islam. Khilafat − − He was one of ten blessed ones to whom the Holy Prophet had given the sa glad tidings that they had been rewarded the Paradise. (The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Cyril Glasse, Stacey International, − London, 1989, p 412; A Book of Religious Knowledge,Waheed Ahmad, p. 150 ) 200