`UTHMAAN IBN MADH'UUN
A "Monk" whose Hermitage was Life
If you attempt to arrange the Prophet's Companions in the order of their embracing Islam, `Uthmaan
Ibn Madh'uun will be number fourteen. Not only was he the first Muhaajir to die in Al Madiinah, but also
the first Muslim to be buried in Al-Baqi'a. This glorious Companion whose life story you are about to hear
was a great "monk". By "monk" here I mean a worshiper throughout life, not a monk sequestered in his
hermitage, for life with all its commotion, turmoil, burdens, and virtues was his "hermitage". Life to him
meant perseverance in the way of truth and unremitting self-denial good and righteousness.
* * *
When we go back in time, when the fresh early rays of Islam were emanating from the Prophet's
heart (PBUH) and from his words said in secret and seclusion, `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun was there. He was
one of the few who rushed to the way of Allah and supported the Prophet. When the Prophet (PBUH)
ordered the few oppressed believers to emigrate to Abyssinia, he wanted to save them from the Quraish's
oppression, while he chose to be left behind to face it alone. `Uthmaan, who was at the head of the first
group of fugitives, was accompanied by his son, As-Saa'ib. They set their faces towards a far-away land
fleeing the plots of Abu Jahl, Allah's enemy, and the Quraish's atrocities.
* * *
The emigration of `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun - and likewise for the rest of the emigrants to Abyssinia in
the first and second emigrations - only made him hold more firmly to his Islam. Definitely, the two
emigrations to Abyssinia represented a unique and glorious phenomenon in the cause of Islam, for those
who believed in Muhammad (PBUH) and followed the light that had been sent down to him had had enough of paganism, error, and ignorance. Their common sense shunned the idolatry of statues made of rocks and clay. When these fugitives emigrated to Abyssinia, they found an already prevalent and highly disciplined religion with an established clerical hierarchy of bishops and priests. Notwithstanding their attitude towards this religion, it was definitely remote from both the familiar paganism practiced back home and the usual idolatrous
rites they had left behind. Undoubtedly, the clergy in Abyssinia exerted much effort to lure those
emigrants to apostatize and embrace Christianity.
In spite of all this, those emigrants stood steadfast in their profound loyalty to Islam and to the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They anxiously yearned for the day when they would return to their beloved
country so as to worship Allah and support the great Prophet (PBUH) in the mosque in peacetime and in
the battlefield when the power of disbelief forced them to take up arms. Thus, those emigrants who lived
in Abyssinia felt secure and peaceful. `Uthmaan lbn Madh'uun was one of them, yet his expatriation did
not make him forget his cousin Umaiyah Ibn Khalaf's plots and the abuse he dealt him and other Muslims.
Hence, he used to amuse himself by rehearsing threats to him, saying, "I hope that all the arrows you aim
will miss their target and strike back at you. You fought against generous and noble people and tortured
them to death. You will soon be punished, and the common people you used to despise will get back at
you."
* * *
While the emigrants were, despite their exile, wrapped up in their worship of Allah and the study of
the Qur'aan, news spread that the Quraish had submitted themselves to Islam and prostrated themselves
to Allah, the One, the Irresistable. Hurriedly, driven by their nostalgic feelings, the emigrants packed up their belongings and hastened to Makkah. However, no sooner had they reached Makkah's outskirts than they realized that the news about the Quraish's submission to Islam was only the bait to lure them to return. Suddenly, they realized that their excessive credulity had led them right into this trap, yet there was nothing they could do, for Makkah was in sight and there was no escape whatsoever. Makkah's unbelievers were overjoyed to hear that their long-awaited prey was caught in the trap they had laid.
At that time, the right of protection - to be under the assistance, support, refuge, and protection of his
patron - was a sacred and honored Arab tradition. Consequently, if a weak man had a claim on a man of
high standing, he would instantly enjoy the privileges of the right of protection and would be under an
invincible protection and safety. Naturally, not all of those who returned to Makkah had claims on a highranking
man. Therefore, few enjoyed the protection and safety guaranteed by this right. Among those who
did was `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun, who had a claim on Al Waliid lbn Al-Mughiirah. Hence, he entered
Makkah safely and peacefully and attended its councils without being humiliated or harmed.
* * *
Yet, every time lbn Madh'uun - the man who had been refined by the Qur'aan and whom the Prophet
(PBUH) had taught and disciplined - looked around, he saw his weak, poor Muslim brothers who had no
claim on the right of protection being atrociously abused and unjustly haunted, while he sat safe and
sound in his sanctuary away from the least provocation. His free spirit rebelled and his noble compassion
got the better of him. Hence, he decided to throw aside Al-Waliid's patronage and take off his shoulders
this burdensome sanctuary that deprived him of the bliss of enduring abuse in the way of Allah and of
following his Muslim brothers who were the believing vanguard and the glad tidings of the world that
would afterwards overflow with faith, monotheism, and light. Let us now call an eyewitness to narrate
what occurred.
When `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun saw the affliction that had befallen the Prophet's Companions while he
was free and safe under Al-Wallid lbn Al-Mughiirah's protection, 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." Instantly, he hastened to Al-
Waliid Ibn Al- Mughiirah and spoke. Aby Abd Shams, you have been a dutiful friend, you did your utmost to
honor the ties of kinship. But now I must forsake my claim on you." Al-Waliid asked him," Why, nephew?
Did any of my people lay a finger on you?" He answered, "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." They both hastened to the mosque. Then Al-Waliid cried
out, "`Uthmaan has asked me to withdraw my protection and support from him." `Uthmaan 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."
As `Uthmaan was leaving, Lubaid ibn Rabii'ah was sitting in one of the Quraish's meetings reciting
poetry, so he decided to join them and sat down and heard Lubaid recite, "Everything but Allah is
falsehood." `Uthmaan nodded and said, "You spoke the truth." Lubaid continued, "Every blessing is
transient." `Uthmaan objected saying, "You are a liar, for the blessings of Paradise are eternal." Lubaid
said, "O you Quraish, by Allah, I have not heard before that anyone dared to call a man who was attending
your meeting names." A man of Quraish explained, "Do not pay attention to what he says, for he is a fool
who has turned apostate." `Uthmaan objected to the man's insult and both quarrelled until the man lost
his temper and punched `Uthmaan's eye ruthlessly.
Nearby was Al-Waliid Ibn Al-Mughiirah, who saw what had happened and said, " By Allah, nephew,
you could have spared yourself the pain if you had stayed under my invulnerable 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, Abu Abd Shams." Al-Waliid urged him
saying, "Come on nephew, be sensible and return to my sanctuary and protection." Ibn Madh'uun said
firmly, "No." After he left, the pain in his eye was severe yet his spirit was revived, strengthened, and
reassured. 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 the Prophet Muhammad's religion (PBUH). I
will always do my utmost to please Allah, for our religion is the only truth despite abuse and oppression.
* * *
Thus he set an example that was highly becoming of him. In fact, life witnessed the remarkable
scene of an excellent man whose graceful, immortal words will resound: "By Allah, my healthy eye yearns
to be hurt in the way of Allah. I am under the protection and care of Someone far better and more
capable than you." Obviously the scenario of `Uthmaan's abuse at the hands of the Quraish after he had
renounced Al-Waliid's protection was premeditated on his part. He provoked it and was overjoyed by it,
for this abuse was to him like the fire that matures, purifies, and ennobles his faith. At last, he followed
the foot steps of his believing brothers who did not accept intimidation.
* * *
Afterwards, `Uthmaan decided to emigrate to Al-Madiinah where he would not be haunted or
harassed by Abu Jahl, Abu Lahab, Umaiyah, `Utbah, or any of the other ruthless disbelievers who abused
and tormented the Muslims. He traveled to Al-Madiinah with those great Companions who survived the
hardships, terror, and horror of the trials with admirable steadfastness and stoutness. They did not
emigrate to Al-Madiinah to rest. On the contrary, Al-Madiinah was the springboard that enabled Muslims to
strive in the way of Allah all over the world, clinging to Allah's flag and spreading His words, signs, and
guidance.
When `Uthmaan had settled in the illuminated Madiinah, his remarkable, great qualities were
unveiled! He ultimately emerged as an ascetic, devout, and repentant worshiper. To sum up, he was the
glorious and intelligent "monk" who was not sequestered in his hermitage but rather in life. He spent his
life striving in the way of Allah. Indeed, he was the worshiper by night and the fighter by day. In fact, he
was the worshipper and the fighter of both night and day.
Although all the Prophet's (PBUH) Companions at that time were inclined to asceticism and devoutness, yet Ibn Madh'uun had a certain strategy in that respect, for he was so remarkably absorbed in his asceticism and devoutness that he turned his life, day and night, into a perpetual blessed prayer and a sweet long glorification. No sooner had he sipped the sweetness of the engrossement in worship than he
hastened to abandon all the enticing luxury and splendor of life. Therefore, he wore nothing but coarse
clothes and ate nothing but coarse food.
One day, he walked into the mosque in which the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions were sitting,
and he had on a faded, worn-out garment that was patched with a piece of fur. As soon as the Prophet
(PBUH) saw him, he sympathized with him, and the Companions' eyes were filled with tears, yet the
Prophet (PBUH) 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 (PBUH) commented, "You will be wealthy, but you are
today far better in your piety and devoutness than you will when you are wealthy." Naturally, when Ibn
Madh'uun heard the Prophet's words, he clung more and more to his austere and coarse life. He went so
far as to renounce sexual intercourse with his wife, yet when the Prophet (PBUH) heard about this
exaggerated attitude, he summoned him and said, "Your wife has the right to have sexual intercourse with
you."
* * *
The Prophet (PBUH) loved him dearly. When his pure spirit was embarking on its journey towards
Heaven, the Prophet (PBUH) was next to him, paying his last farewell to the first Muhaajir to die in Al-
Madiinah and the first to be raised to Paradise. He leaned to kiss his forehead and his amiable eyes flowed
with tears that wet `Uthmaan's face, which looked remarkably graceful. The Prophet (PBUH) paid his last
farewell to his beloved 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."
* * *
The revered Prophet (PBUH) did not forget his Companion after his death; on the contrary, he often
mentioned and praised him. For instance, his very last words to his daughter Ruqaiyah on her deathbed
were, "Go on, follow in the pious and devout `Uthmaan Ibn Madh'uun's footsteps up to Paradise."
Source:MEN AROUND THE MESSENGER, BY:KHAALID MUHAMMAD KHAALID
TRANSLATED BY: SHEIKH MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA GEMEIAH, AL AZHAR ADMINISTRATION