The sun is blazing high in the sky, its hot rays burning the Earth and all living things on it. It’s a time of drought. The animals are dying of dehydration and the human beings roam about restlessly, hoping to find a few droplets of water to quench their thirst, but the dried-up wells offer no relief.
Suddenly, the news of a well of drinkable cool water spreads like wildfire through the city. People come in hoards, from far and wide, to benefit from God’s blessing, but the Jewish owner of the well does not approve of the free use of his commodity. He charges the needy for the water, the price varying from Muslims to non-Muslims. Other inconveniences follow; Muslims and non-Muslims are supposed to buy water on different days, the amount of water given are dissimilar and worst of all, there is no guarantee that the Jewish owner will let the Muslims gain any advantage from his well.
The Prophet (SAW) comes to know about the disturbing situation. The news distresses him greatly. He asks his companions if someone would like to trade for a place in Paradise by buying this well-‘Bir-e-Rumah’. After a few days, the Jewish well owner witnesses the rejoicing of the inhabitants of Yathrib. They are free to use water to their heart’s content, no holds barred! Muslims and non-Muslims are allowed to use the well equally. Someone has paid the Jew twenty thousand Dirhams for the well and dedicated it for the free use of people.
The wealthy person was Hazrat Usman (RA), popularly known as ‘Ghani’ due to the abundance of his wealth and generosity. Zunnoorain (possessing two lights) is his other title, as he wedded two of the Prophet (SAW)’s daughters; Ruqayyah (RA) and Umm- Kulsoom (RA). Usman (RA) had seven children. He is one of the ‘Ashrah Mubashsharah’ (the ten companions whose names were announced as entrants to Paradise).
Born in 516 AD, he became the third Muslim Caliph after the Prophet’s demise. His father’s name was Affan and Arwa bint Khuraiz was his mother. He was a member of the Bani Ummayah tribe.
Hazrat Usman (RA) was the first Caliph who reorganised the police department and who got all the Muslims united to recite the Quran in one specified pattern. He introduced the system of the announcement of Azan from the minarets of the mosques.
Hazrat Usman (RA) had memorized the Quran and knew 1244 ahadith by heart. He was a staunch follower of the Prophet (SAW)’s Sunnah and his love for the Prophet (SAW) knew no bounds. He remained in office for 12 years and at the age of 82, he was martyred brutally in his house. The day was Friday, the 18th of Dhul-Hijjah, 35 AH.
Islamic Comprehension
The study of Islamic education assists you to comprehend the history of Muslims. Read these authentic stories and then answer questions to assess your level of knowledge.
The Wealthy One – Notes
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| dehydration | the loss of water in your body |
| hoards | large number |
| abundance | having plenty of something |
| quench | satisfy thirst by drinking |
| staunch | very loyal, firm in the opinion |
| martyred | the sacrifice of your life for the sake of religion |
| generosity | giving freely more than that is expected |
A. Fill in the blanks.
- Hazrat Usman (RA) was born in the year _______.
- He was known as ________ due to the abundance of his ________ and ________.
- Hazrat Usman (RA) became the third Muslim ________ after the Prophet (SAW)’s demise.
- __________ and ___________ were his parents.
- The other title of Hazrat Usman (RA) was _________.
B. Write true/false in the given space.
- Hazrat Usman (RA) had three children. ( )
- Hazrat Usman (RA) was the first Caliph. ( )
- He was martyred brutally at the age of eighty-two. ( )
- He belonged to the tribe of Bani Hashim. ( )
Did you know the third Caliph Uthman bin Affan owns a Hotel and a Bank account in Madinah?
Answer these questions.
Q 1: Why were the people and the animals of Yathrib restless?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 2: What made the inhabitants of Yathrib overwhelmed?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 3: Who was the owner of the well? What was his attitude towards Muslims and non-Muslims?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 4: What did the Prophet (SAW) do when he came to know about the situation?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 5: Who bought ‘Bir-e-Rumah’? What did he do?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 6: What does ‘Ashrah Mubashsharah’ mean?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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Q 7: Describe the qualities of Hazrat Usman (RA)?
A:____________________________________________________________________________________
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