Uthman and Ali

Uthman ibn Affan was famous for modesty and generosity. The Prophet ﷺ said that even the angels are shy of him (Muslim 2401). He bought the well of Rumah for the Muslims (Tirmidhi 3703) and financed the army of Tabuk (Tirmidhi 3701). As third caliph, he had the Qur'an copied into standard copies (Bukhari 4987). He was killed in 35 AH in a period of unrest.

Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, grew up in his house. He was among the first to believe, slept in the Prophet's bed on the night of the Hijra, and was known for knowledge, courage and a simple life. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Only a believer loves him, and only a hypocrite hates him" (Muslim 78). As the fourth caliph he faced very difficult years and was killed in 40 AH.

Differences between Companions in those years are discussed by scholars with great caution; the Sunni position is to love them all and avoid taking sides in anger. Accounts of the Companions come from authentic reports, and where a detail is only reported in weaker sources we leave it out. We speak of all the Companions with respect and ask Allah to be pleased with them.