Uthman Ibn Madh'uun
summarized from Men Around the Messenger By: Khaalid Muhammad Khaalid
Uthman Ibn Madh'uun [RA] was the fourteenth one to embrace Islam. He was the first Muhaajir to die in Al-Madinah and the first Muslim to be buried in Al-Baqii'a. He was a worshiper throughout his life. Life to him meant perseverance in the way of the truth.
Ibn Madh'uun was one of the few who supported the Prophet (SAWS) in the early days. In the Arab tradition, there was the right of protection--this was one one weak man had a claim on a man of high status--this guaranteed the weaker man rights of protection and safety. However, not all the early Muslims had this protection-Only a few enjoyed this right. Among those who were protected was Uthman Ibn MAdh'uun, who had a claim on Al Waliid IBn Al-Mughiirah. Therefore, he was not harmed and was safe in Mecca.
However, every time Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun saw the affliction that the Prophet's companions went through-while he [Ibn Madh'uun] was free and safe under Al Waliid Ibn Al-Mughiirah, he said to himself "By Allah, I realize now that I have a fatal flaw in my character, for here I am sound under the protection of a disbeliever while my brothers and companions are being abused and tortured by disbelievers." Therefore, Uthman instantly went to Al-Walid and told him that he will forsake his claim upon him. When Uthman was asked why and if someone else was to grant him the protection, he replied, "No, but I'm fully satisfied with Allah's protection and sanctuary and I do not want to resort to anyone but Him. So please come with me to the mosque and withdraw your protection and support in public." And this they did. Uthman said, "He was indeed a loyal, dutiful, and generous patron, but I do not like to resort to the protection and help of anyone but Allah."
After this, Uthman had a dispute with one of the disbelievers and was punched in the eye. Al-Waliid saw this and said "Nephew, you could have spared yourself the pain if you had stayed under my protection." Uthmaan answered, "On the contrary, my healthy eye yearns for the pain of my abused eye. I am under the protection of Allah, Who is far better and more capable than you." Al-Waliid said, "Come on nephew, be sensible and return to my sanctuary and protection." Ibn Madh'uun said , "No." After he left, the pain in his eye was severe yet his spirit was strengthened. On his way home he recited, "I don't care if a deluded disbeliever hurt my eye, for it was in the way of Allah. For the Most Merciful will reward me on the Day of Reckoning in compensation for it. My people, if Allah attempts to please someone, then he will be undoubtedly a happy man. Even if you say that I'm a misguided fool, my life will always be consecrated to Prophet Muhammad's (SAWS) religion. I will always do my utmost to please Allah, for our religion is the only truth despite abuse and oppression."
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When Uthmaan emigrated and settled in Medinah, his beautiful qualities were unveiled. He was a devout and repentant worshiper. He spent his life striving in the way of Allah (SWT). He was the worshiper by night and the fighter by day. He turned his life into a blessed prayer and a sweet long glorification. He hastened to abandon all the luxury and splendor of life. He wore nothing but coarse clothes and ate nothing but coarse food.
One day, he waled into the mosque where the Prophet (SAWS) and his companions were sitting. He was wearing a faded, worn-out garment that was patched with a piece of fur. As soon as the Prophet (SAWS) saw him, he sympathized with him, and the companions' eyes were filled with tears. The Prophet (SAWS) said, "Would you like it if you were rich enough to have as many garments as you like and as much food as you like? Would you like your upholstery to be as expensive as the clothes used in covering the Ka'bah." The Companions answered, "We would indeed! We would like to live in luxury surrounded by the splendors of life". The Prophet (SAWS) commented, "You will be wealthy, but you are today far better in your piety and devoutness than you will when you are wealthy." When Ibn Madh'uun heard the Prophet's words, he clung more to his coarse life. He went so far as to renounce sexual intercourse with his wife, yet when the Prophet (SAWS) heard about this exaggerated attitude, he said , "Your wife has the right to have sexual intercourse with you."
The Prophet (SAWS) loved him dearly. When his pure spirite was embarking on its journey towards Heaven, the Prophet (SAWS) was next to him, paying his last farewell to the first Muhaajir to die in MEdinah and the first to be raised to Paradise. He leaned o kiss his forehead and his good-natured eye flowed with tears that wet Uthman's face, which looked graceful. The Prophet (SAWS) paid his last farewell to his companion by saying, "Allah bestow His mercy on you, Abu As-Saa'ib. You are now leaving life that was not able to seduce or mislead you".