عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَفَّانَ وَعَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ

'Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan: "the one with two lights" 'Uthmaan was a wealthy merchant of Mecca who became Muslim early, through Abu Bakr [À VÉRIFIER : sîra]. He married Ruqayya, the Prophet's ﷺ daughter, then, after her death, her sister Umm Kulthuum: this is why he is called Dhu n-Nuurayn, "the one with two lights" [À VÉRIFIER : explication du surnom].

Modesty 'Uthmaan was known for his great modesty (al-ḥayaa'). One day the Prophet ﷺ was lying down at home; Abu Bakr and then 'Umar came in without his changing position. When 'Uthmaan asked to come in, he sat up and arranged his clothes. 'Aa'isha asked him why; he answered: "Should I not feel shy before a man before whom the angels feel shy?" (Muslim 2401).

Generosity • In Medina, fresh water was scarce. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever digs (or buys) the well of Ruuma will have Paradise"; 'Uthmaan did so and made it available to everyone. • When the Prophet ﷺ called for the army of Tabuuk to be equipped, in a time of great hardship, 'Uthmaan equipped it generously. 'Uthmaan himself reminded people of these two facts, and they confirmed them (Bukhari 2778) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro et formulation].

The Qur'an in our hands Having become the third caliph, 'Uthmaan learned that Muslims from different regions were beginning to argue about how to recite the Qur'an. From the collection gathered under Abu Bakr, he had identical copies (muṣḥafs) made and sent to the main cities (Bukhari 4987). The muṣḥaf you read today comes from this work.

A trial foretold The Prophet ﷺ had given him the good news of Paradise, together with a trial that would befall him (Bukhari 3695) [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]. After about twelve years as caliph, 'Uthmaan was unjustly killed in his house by rebels; he refused to let the Companions fight for him, so as not to shed the blood of Muslims [À VÉRIFIER : détails]. He died a martyr.

'Ali ibn Abi Ṭaalib: raised in the Prophet's ﷺ home 'Ali was the Prophet's ﷺ cousin. He grew up in his house and was among the very first to believe, while still a child [À VÉRIFIER : âge, sîra]. He married Faaṭima, the Prophet's ﷺ daughter; their children included al-Ḥasan and al-Ḥusayn. The Prophet ﷺ affectionately gave him the nickname Abu Turaab ("the man of dust") one day when he found him asleep in the mosque, covered in dust (Bukhari 441, Muslim 2409) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros].

The banner of Khaybar During the expedition of Khaybar, the Prophet ﷺ said: "Tomorrow I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Messenger, and whom Allah and His Messenger love; Allah will grant victory through him." The Companions spent the night hoping to be that man. In the morning, he called 'Ali (Bukhari 3701, Muslim 2406).

"Like Haaruun to Muusaa" When the Prophet ﷺ left for Tabuuk, he left 'Ali in Medina to look after his family. 'Ali was saddened not to go; the Prophet ﷺ said to him: "Are you not content to be to me what Haaruun was to Muusaa, except that there is no prophet after me?" (Bukhari 3706, Muslim 2404).

Knowledge and judgement 'Ali was known for his knowledge of the Qur'an and his wisdom in judgements; 'Umar often consulted him [À VÉRIFIER : formulation]. He became the fourth caliph in a very difficult period, and was assassinated in Kufa, in the year 40 of the Hijra [À VÉRIFIER : dates].

The four rightly guided caliphs Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthmaan and 'Ali are called "the rightly guided caliphs" (al-khulafaa' ar-raashiduun). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Hold fast to my Sunna and to the Sunna of the rightly guided caliphs after me" (Abu Daawuud 4607, At-Tirmidhi 2676) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros et degré].

Understanding the lesson

Explanation 'Uthmaan and 'Ali are very different, and that is precisely a beautiful lesson: there are several ways of being a great believer. 'Uthmaan shows the strength of modesty and generosity. His modesty was so sincere that the angels themselves respected it. His wealth was not a trap for him: he used it to give water to a whole city and to equip an army. And thanks to him, all Muslims read the same muṣḥaf. 'Ali shows the strength of love for Allah and of knowledge. The Prophet ﷺ testified that he loved Allah and His Messenger and was loved by them. He grew up in the house of revelation and became a scholar and a judge. Both of them went through very hard trials at the end of their lives, and both of them died unjustly killed. Their patience is part of their greatness.

Lessons to draw from it • Cultivate modesty in the way you speak, dress and behave, online too. • If Allah gives you something (money, time, a skill), look for how it can serve many people. • Respect and love the muṣḥaf: it reached us thanks to the work of the Companions. • Love Allah and His Messenger ﷺ so much that you deserve their love, like 'Ali. • Learn the names of the four rightly guided caliphs and one striking fact about each.

Key points to remember • 'Uthmaan, Dhu n-Nuurayn: "the angels feel shy before him" (Muslim 2401). • The well of Ruuma and the army of Tabuuk (Bukhari 2778). • The copies of the muṣḥaf sent to the main cities (Bukhari 4987). • 'Ali: the banner of Khaybar (Bukhari 3701, Muslim 2406); "like Haaruun to Muusaa" (Bukhari 3706, Muslim 2404). • The rightly guided caliphs: Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthmaan, 'Ali.

The main message 'Uthmaan and 'Ali show us two faces of faith, generous modesty and knowing love: everyone can serve Islam with what Allah has given them.

The text: Surah Al-Baqara (2), verse 261 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 2:261]

The text: Surah Ṭaa-Haa (20), verse 114 [TEXTE ARABE À INSÉRER : sourate 20:114]

Meaning: 2:261: "Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah are like a grain that produces seven ears, and in each ear there are a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing." 20:114: "Exalted is Allah, the King, the Truth! Do not hasten to recite the Qur'an before its revelation to you is completed, and say: 'My Lord, increase me in knowledge.'" The first verse recalls 'Uthmaan's generosity, the second 'Ali's love of knowledge.

Arabic text: deliberately not typed, to avoid any error; it is to be copied from the centre's mushaf (or a verified source) at the place indicated.