Tag Archives: Uthman

The Umayyad Challenge to Ali

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Ruth

After the Battle of the Camel, Ali settled matters in Basra, paying those who had fought for him out of the official treasury. With Basra secured, he rode north to Kufa and stayed there. To some extent, the future of … Continue reading →

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A’isha in Opposition, 656

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Ruth

The first challenge to Ali as Caliph or Imam came quickly. A’isha had gone to Mecca during the revolt against Uthman, and she was returning to Medina when she heard that Ali had been acclaimed as the next Caliph. A’isha … Continue reading →

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Revolt And Death of Uthman, 655-6

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Ruth

Another Umayyad cousin named Marwan was Uthman’s chief secretary, or probably Chief of Staff. As in the White House, access to the ruler goes through the Chief of Staff. Marwan could determine who got to talk to Uthman, and he … Continue reading →

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Protests Against Uthman, 654

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Ruth

Twenty years before this time, Abu Bakr had been Caliph and the first conquests in Mesopotamia and Syria had planted the first Arab Muslim towns. Approximately sixteen years before this time, the garrison cities of Kufa, Basra and Fustat had … Continue reading →

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Egypt’s Revolt, 644-6

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Ruth

During Uthman’s rule, it became obvious that if the Islamic State was going to maintain its place among the nations, it needed to create a navy. East and South Arabians had always been sea-going, but their cultural ways were not … Continue reading →

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Zayd ibn Thabit and the Quran

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Ruth

During Muhammad’s lifetime, his revelations were mostly conveyed by listening, remembering, and repeating. But even then, a few literate Muslims were writing them down on whatever materials were at hand. The written copies could be used as memory prompters or … Continue reading →

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Uthman’s Umayyad Clan Problem

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Ruth

Uthman was the heir of two very wealthy clans of the Quraysh, and he was also a second cousin of Muhammad. His great-grandfather was Umayyah, the patriarch of the clan known as Umayyads. They had been ruling in Mecca, and … Continue reading →

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The Election of Caliph Uthman, 644

Posted on May 23, 2021 by Ruth

As Umar lay dying, he appointed six Companions of the Prophet to determine which of them would become his successor. They were Muhammad’s foster son and son-in-law Ali; Uthman, an early wealthy convert who was twice Muhammad’s son-in-law; and four … Continue reading →

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Caliph Abu Bakr: the Day of Muhammad’s Death

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Ruth

Muhammad died around noon. We know the room was crowded with relatives, and either A’isha or Ali held him in his last hour before he stopped breathing. Many believers were standing or sitting in the mosque just outside the house, … Continue reading →

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