(Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] – Part Three)
Together with migrating to Abyssinia, Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was also honoured to be among those who migrated to Madeenah Munawwarah, as well as participated in the Battle of Badr. (Usdul Ghaabah vol. 3, pg. 226)
Thereafter, Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) fell ill and passed away during the month of Sha’baan, approximately two and a half years after hijrah. Whilst he lay on his deathbed, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) approached, leaned over him thrice and cried each time. On the third occasion, when he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) lifted his blessed head, he cried aloud. The people thus realized that Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had passed away and they also began crying. Thereafter Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “You have left (this world) without attaching yourself to it in the least.” The love that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had for Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was such that he (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) kissed him on his cheek after his demise and cried until those around could see his blessed tears flowing. (Sunan Abi Dawood #3163, Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15640 and Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 3, pg. 396)
Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was the first person to be buried in Jannatul Baqee’ (the graveyard of Madeenah Munawwarah). After his burial, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed someone to bring a rock. However, this person was unable to carry it. Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) rolled up his sleeves, lifted the rock and placed it at the head side of Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). He then explained the reason for placing the rock saying, “By means of it (i.e. the rock), I may identify the grave of my brother and I may bury those who pass away from my household near him.” (Sunan Abi Dawood #3206 and Usdul Ghaabah vol. 3, pg. 226)
Sayyidah Ummul ‘Alaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was an Ansaari woman belonging to the family who had given residence to Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) when he had migrated to Madeenah Munawwarah. She explains that when Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) passed away, she had seen a dream that he had a spring of water which was flowing. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) interpreted her dream saying, “That signifies (the rewards of) his (good) actions.” (Saheeh Bukhaari #3929)
What more could be said regarding his lofty rank than the statement which was uttered by none other than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on two occasions, viz. at the time of the demise of his son, Sayyiduna Ebrahim (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and at the demise of his daughter, Sayyidah Ruqayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), “Join our pious predecessor, ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon.” In fact, whenever a person would pass away (in Madeenah Munawwarah), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would say, “Unite him (by burying him) with our predecessor. What an excellent predecessor is ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon for my Ummah.” (Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15635, #15636 & #15637)
Lesson:
Sayyiduna ‘Uthmaan bin Maz‘oon (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) carried out such actions that made him so beloved to Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cried at his demise and even placed a stone on his qabr in order to identify it. If we also live obeying the commandments of Allah Ta‘ala and following the beloved footsteps of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we will become beloved and close to them. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Indeed the closest of people to me are those who have taqwa, whoever they are and wherever they are.” (Musnad Ahmad #22052)