Egyptians Angry At Uthman

Some may claim there is no way there was this level of a cover-up because surely there would have been an uproar and protests from the Muslims. Yet, this is exactly what led to the first Civil War (Fitna) among the Muslims. The mainstream narrative we are told is that the frustration from the Muslim lands against Uthman was due to accusations of nepotism and misuse of public funds. While this is correct, there was another motive. The people who protested against Uthman were also upset that he erased the Quran. We see this in the following narration.

ʿUthmān (may God be pleased with him) permitting recitation other than from his muṣḥaf

ʿAbd Allāh narrated to us; ʿUthmān ibn Hishām ibn Dālham narrated to us; Ismāʿīl ibn al-Khalīl narrated to us; from ʿAlī ibn Mus-hir; from Ismāʿīl ibn Abī Khālid, who said:

When the people of Egypt arrived at al-Juhfah (1), reproaching ʿUthmān (may God be pleased with him), ʿUthmān ascended the pulpit and said:

“May God reward you, O companions of Muhammad, for the evil you have done to me. You publicized the bad and concealed the good, and you incited the foolish among the people against me. Which of you will go to these people and ask them what they are criticizing and what they want?”

He said this three times, and no one answered him. Then ʿAlī (may God be pleased with him) stood and said, “I will.”

ʿUthmān said, “You are the closest of them to me in kinship and most entitled to this.”

So ʿAlī went to them and said, “What is it that you are criticizing?”

They replied:

“What we criticize is that he erased the Book of God, Mighty and Majestic; he established restricted reserves; he appointed his relatives; and he gave Marwān two hundred thousand.”

The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ then spoke, and ʿUthmān responded to them, saying:

“As for the Quran, it is from God. I only forbade you because I feared disagreement among you. So recite according to whichever mode you wish.

As for the protected reserve (ḥimā), by God I did not establish it for my own camels or sheep. Rather, I established it for the camels of charity so that they may grow strong and improve and become more productive for the Muslims.

As for the claim that I gave Marwān two hundred thousand — that is from the public treasury; let them appoint over it whom they wish.

And as for their statement regarding the Companions of the Prophet — I am but a man who becomes angry and pleased. Whoever claims before me a right or an injustice, here I am. If he wishes, let there be retaliation; if he wishes, let there be pardon; and if he wishes, let there be reconciliation.”

The people were satisfied, they reconciled, and they entered Medina. He then wrote concerning this to the people of Basra and the people of Kufa, and whoever was unable to come may appoint a representative.

حدثنا عبد الله، حدثنا عثمان بن هشام بن دلهم، حدثنا إسماعيل بن الخلي، عن علي بن مسهر، عن إسماعيل بن أبي خالد قال، لما نزل أهل مصر الجفنة(*) يبايعون عثمان رضي الله عنه، صعد عثمان المنبر فقال: جزاكم الله يا أصحاب محمدٍ خيرًا أذعتم السيئة، وكتمنتم الحسنة، وأغرتم بي سفهاء الناس، أيكم يأتي هؤلاء فيسألهم ما الذي نقموا وما الذي يريدون، ثلاث مرات لا يجيبه أحد، فقام علي رضي الله عنه فقال: أنا، فقال عثمان: أنت أقربهم رحماً وأحقهم بذلك، فأتاهُم فرجع بذلك، فقال: إنهم يأتينا أحد أحب إلينا منك، فقال ما الذي نقمتم؟ قالوا نقمنا أنه محا كتاب الله عز وجل، واستعمل أقرباءه، وأعطى مروان مائتي ألف، وتناول أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، فرد عليهم عثمان رضي الله عنه: أما القرآن فمن عند الله إنما نهيتكم لأني خفت عليكم الاختلاف فاقرؤوا على أي حرف شئتم. وأما الحمى فوالله ما حميته لأبلي ولا لغنمي، وإنما حميته لأبل الصدقة لتسمن وتصلح أكثر ثمنا للمسلمين. وأما قولي إني أعطيت مروان مائتي ألف، فهذا بيت مالهم فلستعملوا عليه من أحبوا. وأما قولهم تناول أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم مني، فإني أنا بشر أغضب وأرضى، فأما من ادعى قبلي حقا أو مظلمة فهذا أنا وهذا مالي، فليأخذ منه من شاء عفوًا، وإن شاء اقتضاء. فرضي الناس واصطلحوا، ودخلوا المدينة وكتب بذلك إلى أهل البصرة وأهل الكوفة، فمن لم يستطع أن يجيء فليوكل وكيلا. Kitab Al Masahif Ibn Abu Dawud p. 45