The Accusations of the Rebels

In 35 AH, after consulting the people of Madina, Usman established a committee of eminent Companions and asked them to take rounds of the country and report to him about the situation. After receiving the report, Usman made a public announcement that every year he would hold accountability of his officials during the hajj days, even then if someone was unsatisfied or mistreated, he must complain directly to him and get his right from the officials.

The rebels accused Usman of dismissing the eminent Companions from the post and replacing them with the inexperienced young members of his family. They also accused him of unrightly using the money from the treasury and giving big amounts to his relatives. These accusations were completely false and had no solid ground. The rebels made such false accusations just to defame him. Usman himself was financially well-off and generous, he did not take anything from the treasury for his expenditure. To these accusations Usman responded, “I only fulfil the vital rights of my relatives and whatever I give them is from my own money. Marwan did not get anything from the spoils of the battle of Tripoli. In fact Marwan had bought the spoils of the battle in exchange of five lakh dirhams.” Usman was also accused of fixing the pasture of Baqi for himself. Answer of this accusation is that some pastures were allocated for the livestock of treasury since the era of Umar. Hence Usman clarified, “I have allocated only those pastures that were already so. I personally own no livestock other than the two camels.”

The last attempt to stop the rising storm of accusations was made on the occasion of hajj. Usman called all the main officials. The respected Companions Ali, Talhah and Zubayr were consulted. Ameer Muawiya was also present at the occasion. He suggested Usman to go with him to Syria and assured that no one would be