This blessed couple is amongst the first twenty people to embrace Islam. They belonged to one of the smaller, less influential clans of Quraysh. They remained close family friends of the Prophet (sa) and his family throughout their lives.
Uthman ibn Madhun (rta) – a beloved and righteous Makkan
Uthman’s sister, Zaynab (rta), was married to Umar ibn Khattab (rta). This made him the maternal uncle of Hafsa (rta), the of the Mothers of the Believers. Uthman (rta) and his siblings Zaynab (rta) and Abdullah (rta) all accepted Islam together, though Zaynab (rta) kept it from Umar (rta).
Uthman ibn Madhun (rta) was extremely honest, widely respected and loved by the elites of Quraysh. Al Waleed ibn Mugheerah, one of the most spiteful enemies of the Prophet (sa), referred to him as ‘my nephew’ and protected him from persecution after he became Muslim.
Uthman ibn Madhun (rta) was one of the very few Makkans who abstained from drinking even before Islam. This was highly unusual in a society where social and religious gatherings involved alcohol. When questioned why he didn’t enjoy drinking, he replied: ‘Why would I drink something that would cause me to lose my mind and cause those who are less than me, to laugh at me?’
Khawla- the honored matchmaker
Khawla (rta) embraced Islam as soon as Uthman (rta) accepted Islam and returned home. She was known for her intelligence, her knowledge of medicine and for matchmaking. She was also a very close friend of Khadeejah (rta). Khawla (rta) was concerned for the Prophet (sa) and was a close family friend.
She is most well-known for arranging two of the marriages of the Prophet (sa). After Khadeejah’s (rta) death, she would drop in to check the Prophet (sa) and his family and bring food for them.
She observed how difficult it was for him to manage his Dawah and his young daughters, so she recommended re-marriage and suggested two women- Sawdah (rta) and Ayesha (rta).
Sawdah (rta), was elderly but good-humoured. She had lived with Sawdah (rta) in Abbysinia, and formed a lifelong bond. Ayesha (rta) who was young right now, but would be a suitable match in time, was, as Khawla (rta) worded it: ‘the daughter of the person most beloved to you in the world’.
But the Prophet (sa) displayed great humility and merely said that she should mention him to their families and see their reactions. Khawla (rta) approached Sawdah’s (rta) father, a blind man of few words, who wasn’t a Muslim at that time. She introduced the prospective match as ‘Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib’ (rta), knowing that the Arabs prized noble lineage. As expected, he approved ecstatically, as long as Sawdah (rta) was willing.
To Umm Ruman, Ayesha’s (rta) mother, Khawla (rta) began by exclaiming: ‘You people are so blessed, what has Allah (swt) chosen to send to you?’ Umm Ruman (rta) was curious when Khawla (rta) told that the Prophet (sa) had mentioned Ayesha (rta) for marriage. Umm Ruman (rta) was overjoyed and sought to consult Abu Bakr (rta). Since Ayesha (rta) became a treasure trove of Hadith, we hope Allah (swt) rewards Khawla (rta) a portion for helping her learn from the Prophet (sa) for every Hadith that reaches us over time and generations.
Three emigrations for Allah (swt)
Uthman (rta) was chosen to lead the small group comprising the first migration to Abbysinia. When they returned after hearing rumours that the Makkans had accepted Islam, Waleed ibn Mugheerah offered him protection. Uthman (rta) witnessed the persecution of the poor Muslims and asked Mugheerah to withdraw his protection because he felt guilty. He was nevertheless not attacked or harassed because everyone in Makkah was well aware that Waleed bin Mugheerah was deeply concerned for him.
The couple migrated again to Abbysinia and upon hearing of the Prophet’s (sa) migration to Madinah, journeyed to Madinah and settled in the Muslim state. Thus, they became one of those few Muslims who made the Hijrah thrice for Allah’s (swt) sake. They continued to be close to the family of the Prophet (sa).
Punched for Allah’s (swt) sake
One day a poet, Labeed, was reciting near the Kabah and he exclaimed that everything other than Allah (swt) is to perish. Uthman (rta) appreciated him: ‘You are truthful.’ Labeed then went on to claim that every single blessing perishes. But at this Uthman (rta) commented: ‘You have lied, for Jannah is everlasting.’ The poet felt insulted by this young man and called upon the Quraysh to avenge him. The Quraysh brushed him off as ‘one of those foolish young Muslims’.
Uthman (rta), took exception to this and argued that he only stated the truth. The argument escalated, and Uthman (rta) was punched in the eye. Waleed ibn Mugheerah insisted on protecting him, but Uthman (rta) preferred Allah’s (swt) protection. He exclaimed: ‘The only thing I regret is being punched in only one eye. Only one eye got hurt for Allah’s (swt) sake.’
Prophetic intervention
Once Khawla (rta) visited Ayesha (rta), and looking at her unadorned state, Ayesha (rta) expressed concern. Khawla (rta) was upset- Uthman (rta) wanted to devote himself to worship and had lost interest in her. The Prophet (sa) summoned Uthman (rta) and asked him why he was turning away from the Sunnah. A few days later, Khawla (rta) visited again and Ayesha (rta) noticed that she was dressed up and perfumed. Khawla (rta) was elated that she was now being treated ‘as a woman should be treated’.
Witness to revelation
The Prophet (sa) was sitting in his courtyard and Uthman (rta) passed by and smiled. The Prophet (sa) smiled back and invited him to sit with him. Suddenly, the Prophet (sa) looked up, then to the right and left and up again. This was unusual because the Prophet (sa) was known for being an attentive listener.
The Prophet (sa) told Uthman (rta) that he had just received revelation- verse 90 from Surah An-Nahl and recited it in the Friday Khutbah. This particular verse overwhelmed Uthman’s (rta) heart who truly loved the Prophet (sa). Though he was already a sincere Muslim, and this demonstrates that our faith grows over life.
The first Muhajir to die
Uthman ibn Madhun (rta) was the first of the Muhajireen to die in Madinah and therefore the first of the Muhajireen to be buried in Al Baqii. The Prophet (sa) was at his bedside when he passed away due to illness. The Prophet (sa) cried for him and kissed his forehead.
A stone was put on top of his grave to mark it but he forbade writing on it. He referred to it as ‘the grave of my brother’ and he stated that he would bury his family next to him. Now, Uthman’s (rta) grave is next to the graves of the wives and children of the Prophet (sa).
The Prophet (sa) remarked: ‘The Dunya wasn’t able to touch you and the Dunya couldn’t take away from you.’ He meant that the love of Dunya takes away from our good deeds or character, Uthman (rta) remained steadfast. He considered Uthman (rta) one of the ‘Al Abrar’ in Jannah.
Umm Alaa (rta), the Ansari with whom they had been paired in Madinah, dreamt that Uthman (rta) had a river flowing to him and the Prophet (sa) said the river symbolized his good deeds.
Khawla (rta) recited beautiful poetry at his death, praising him.
Praised by Allah (swt) and the Tabeein
After widowhood, Khawla (rta) offered herself in marriage to the Prophet (sa) but he did not marry her even though Ayesha (rta) says that the Quran referred to her as: ‘the believing woman who presents herself to the Prophet (sa) to be married to him’.
Allah (swt) praised Khawla’s (rta) faith. She spent her life teaching, and narrated several Ahadith for women’s purification and protection. She taught many Tabeein, including Omar ibn Abdul Aziz (rta) who referred to her as ‘righteous lady’.
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