The first two Khulafah—Abu Bakr and Umar—gave Makkans the opportunity to break from their jahili past and join the egalitarian principles of Islam. Unfortunately, Mu‘awiyah exploited this during Uthman’s rule with disastrous consequences for the Ummah.
Muawiyah is a controversial figure in Muslim history. Some Muslims elevate him to the rank of a Sahabi (companion of the Prophet (ﷺ)) while others view him as a murderer because he killed many Sahaba. What do traditional Muslim history books say about him?
The rise of pre-Islamic ‘asabiyah occurred during ‘Uthamn’s rule when he appointed members of his clan and the broader Quraish tribe to important positions. It was not necessarily ‘Uthman’s intent but its consequences were detrimental to the ethos of Islam.
In his continuing series, Abu Dharr highlights how in the latter years of Uthman’s rule, some elite started to acquire riches and their Islamic commitment waned. This did not sit well with the new Muslims who were attracted to Islam because of its emphasis on social justice and equity.
In his continuing series of articles on developments in post-Prophetic history, Abu Dharr explains how Uthman’s policy of trying to win over the affluent persons of Makkah resulted, inadvertently, in creating a wealthy class and left behind the committed Muslims.
The third Khalifah Uthman’s decision to “liberalize” the economy, though well-intentioned, resulted in creating an enterprenuerial class. Its effect on the Muslim society was negative and created schisms whereby there emerged the haves and the have-nots.
During ‘Uthman’s rule as khalifah, certain policies were implemented that while good-intentioned had negative consequences for the future of the Ummah.
Uthman’s decisions in appointing his Umawiy relatives to important positions was not done with malice but their ultimate result was negative for which the Muslim Ummah paid a heavy price.
In this article, Abu Dharr discusses why and how Sa ‘d ibn Abi Waqqas, a very early Muslim and companion of the Prophet (pbuh), was mistreated by Uthman when he became the ruler. Properly understanding early Islamic history will enable us to arrive at the correct conclusions.
In his ongoing series from early Islamic history, Abu Dharr discusses the contrasting behaviour of ‘Umar and “Uthman when they ruled the Islamic heartland and beyond. The rapidly expanding Islamic domain also had its impact.
In moving away from ‘Umar’s policy of keeping the newly-converted Makkans to Islam under strict observation, the third Khalifah, ‘Uthman opened the floodgates of elitism and nepotism. This proved disastrous from the Islamic polity.
In his continuing series, Abu Dharr sheds light on the role of latter-day Muslims—al-Tulaqa (amnestied combatants in the words of the Prophet (pbuh)) and how Usman’s policies, unintentionally, facilitated their rise into power.
The late-comer Makkan elite to Islam were Muslims of convenience. They harboured deep animosity toward Muslims and waited for an opportune moment to strike. Umar dealt with them sternly while Usman showed leniency resulting in serious consequences for the Islamic polity.
What had started as a goodwill gesture to help the needy and poor in society during Uthman’s rule, turned into exploitation by the rich and powerful. It resulted in serious consequences for the Ummah.
‘Uthman, the third successor to the Prophet (pbuh), opened the Treasury to benefit the people. It led to the emergence of a class of people who thought it was their right to expect large stipends. The consequences were disastrous for the Ummah.
In his early years as Khalifah, Uthman followed the policies of his predecessors. This is apparent from the letters he sent to governors and miltary commanders. Diversion from these lofty principles came later.
Muslims faced two serious internal challenges in early Islamic history: one from the group called the munafiqeen and the other from the tulaqa (amnestied prisoners). They both caused immense damage to the body-politic of Islam. Muslims must understand this history properly.
The third Khalifah ‘Usman’s temperate nature was exploited by some unscrupulous individuals and groups to undermine the Islamic polity that ultimately resulted in serious damage to the political system of Islam.
How ‘Uthman became the third Khalifah and details about Ubaid Ullah ibn Umar’s killing of the three persons who had assassinated his father, Khalifah Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Some Muslims, perhaps many, are too wedded to information passed on to them in their books about early Islamic history based on a particular sectarian slant. It is important to revisit this information as Abu Dharr shows in this ongoing series of articles.
