ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān عثمان بن عفان |
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Possessor of Two Lights (ذو النورين) “Al-Ghani” (The Generous One) Amir al-Mu'minin |
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3rd Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate | |||||
Reign | 6 November 644 – 17 June 656 | ||||
Predecessor | Umar ibn al-Khattab | ||||
Successor | Ali ibn Abi-Talib | ||||
Born | 576 CE (47 BH) Taif, Arabia |
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Died | 17 June 656 CE (18 Dhul-Hijjah 35 AH) (aged 79) Medina, Arabia, Rashidun Empire |
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Burial | Jannat al-Baqi, Madinah | ||||
Spouse |
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Issue (among others) |
Aban | ||||
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Tribe | Quraysh (Banu Umayya) | ||||
Father | Affan ibn Abi al-'As | ||||
Mother | Arwa bint Kurayz |
Full name | |
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‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān Arabic: عثمان بن عفان |
‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān
Uthman ibn Affan (Arabic: عثمان بن عفان, translit. ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; also known in English by the Turkish and Persian rendering Osman; 576 – 17 June 656) was a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and the third of the Rashidun or "Rightly Guided Caliphs". Born into a prominent Meccan clan of the Quraysh tribe, he played a major role in early Islamic history, succeeding Umar ibn al-Khattab as caliph at age 67. He was also the prophet's son-in-law twice, being married to two of the prophet’s daughters: Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum (he was married to the second daughter after the first died).
Under the leadership of Uthman, the empire expanded into Fars in 650 (present-day Iran), some areas of Khorasan (present-day Afghanistan) in 651 and the conquest of Armenia was begun in the 640s.
Uthman was born in Ta’if. He was born into the wealthy Umayyad (Banu Umayya) clan of the Quraysh tribe of Mecca, seven years after Muhammad. Uthman's father, Affan, died young while travelling abroad but left a large inheritance to Uthman. Uthman followed the same profession as his father, and his business flourished, making him one of the richest men among the Qurayshi tribe. His mother was Awra, daughter of Um Hakim bint Abdul Mutalib, the twin sister of Abdullah, father of Muhammad; therefore Uthman was Muhammad's first cousin. She died before AD 610.