Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman ibn Affan (Arabic: عُثْمَان بْن عَفَّان, romanized: ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān; c. 576 – 17 June 656) was the third and longest-reigned Rashidun caliph, ruling from 644 until his assassination in 656. He was also a second cousin, son-in-law, and senior companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and played a major role in early Islamic history. He is most famously known for the compilation and distribution of the standardized version of the Quran during his reign, known as the Uthmanic codex. This standardization established a uniform written text of the Quran, and the Uthmanic codex forms the basis of the Quran used by Muslims today.

Before the second caliph Umar died, he had appointed a council of six companions to select his successor. Uthman, then aged 68, was elected to succeed him, becoming the oldest person to ascend to the caliphal office. During his reign, the caliphate expanded further into Persia and reached as far as the provinces of Khorasan and Transoxiana in the east, to Ifriqiya and the Iberian Peninsula in the west. Uthman also instituted centralized reforms aimed at creating a more cohesive administrative structure and fostered rapid economic growth.

However, the last years of his reign were marked by discontent over his fiscal policies and the appointment of members of his relatives to key positions. These grievances eventually evolved into an armed revolt, as opposition groups gathered in Medina and besieged his residence. Despite efforts by his supporters and companions to defend him, Uthman was ultimately assassinated by the rebels in 656 CE, an event that contributed to the political and sectarian conflicts that followed. Sunni Muslim tradition considers him the third rightly-guided caliph.