Chapter Five: 2. The Name of ‘Uthman was prevalent in the Children of ‘Ali

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

 

The Name of ‘Uthman was prevalent in the Children of ‘Ali

It is only natural for a person to exercise prudence when naming his children. He gives those names to his sons and daughters which will be a source of honour and pride for them for their entire lives. His selection of names gives an idea to his understanding, preferences, and natural inclinations. Generally, names of honourable, respected, and distinguished individuals are favoured with whom one has compatibility and loves and who are regarded as blessed and great. Those for whom rancour is harboured in the heart or are the targets of one’s anger and wrath or whom one despises; one does not name his children after them.

When we look at Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in the light of these natural tendencies and inclinations, we come to learn that the blessed names of Sayyidina Abu Bakr, Sayyidina ‘Umar, and Sayyidina ‘Uthman radiya Llahu ‘anhum were prevalent among his offspring which clearly proves that Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu held no grudges and harboured no rancour in any corner of his heart for the three khulafa’. To the contrary, he revered and respected them and held them in high esteem. That is why he allowed the custom of these names being among his children.

In the first (Siddiqi) and second (Faruqi) section of this book, we quoted texts from famous reliable and authentic books of both the Shia and Ahlus Sunnah and established that the names Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were found in the progeny of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu and other Hashimis. In the third (‘Uthmani) section, we wish to highlight the presence of the name ‘Uthman among Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu children. This will confirm beyond doubt that they had faith and reliance in Sayyidina ‘Uthman radiya Llahu ‘anhu and regarded his name blessed and sacred.

A few quotations will be reproduced below as evidence. Firstly, we will present from our books followed by corroboration from Shia books.

 

1. Abu ‘Abdullah al Mus’ab ibn ‘Abdullah al Zubairi (d. 236 A.H.) enumerates the offspring of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in Nasab Quraysh. He says:

 

عمر بن علي و رقية و هما توأم أمهما الصهباء من سبي خالد بن الوليد و كان عمر آخر ولد علي بن أبي طالب … العباس بن علي … إخوته لأبيه و أمه بنو علي و هم عثمان و جعفر و عبد الله فقتل قبله

‘Umar ibn ‘Ali and Ruqayyah were twins. Their mother was al Sahba’ from the captives of Khalid ibn al Walid. ‘Umar was the last son of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib.

‘Abbas ibn ‘Ali: His full brothers are ‘Uthman, Jafar, and ‘Abdullah who was killed (on the plains of Karbala’) before him.[1]

 

2. Abu Muhammad ‘Ali ibn Ahmed ibn Sa’id ibn Hazm al Andalusi (d. 456 A.H.) writes in his renowned book Jamharat Ansab al ‘Arab:

 

و العباس و أبو بكر و عثمان و جعفر و قتل أبو بكر و جعفر و عثمان و العباس مع أخيهم الحسين

6.‘Abbas 7. Abu Bakr 8. ‘Uthman 9. Jafar.

Abu Bakr, Jafar, ‘Uthman, and ‘Abbas were killed with their brother Hussain.[2]

 

3. It appears in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d in the biography of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu:

 

و أبو بكر بن علي قتل مع الحسين … و العباس الأكبر بن علي و عثمان و جعفر الأكبر و عبد الله قتلوا مع الحسين بن علي إلخ

Abu Bakr ibn ‘Ali: He was killed with Hussain. ‘Abbas al Akbar ibn ‘Ali, ‘Uthman, Jafar al Akbar, and ‘Abdullah―all of them were martyred with Hussain ibn ‘Ali.[3]

 

4. It is written in Tarikh Khalifah ibn Khayyat in the events of the year 61 A.H. while discussing the martyrs of Karbala’:

 

قال أبو الحسن و قتل معه عثمان بن علي أمه أم البنين أيضا

Abu al Hassan said: ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali was killed with him. His mother is Umm al Banin as well.[4]

 

‘Uthman’s name in ‘Ali’s Offspring From Shia books

5. Ahmed ibn Ya’qub in his famous Tarikh Ya’qubi lists 24 of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu He lists the name ‘Uthman twice:

 

و العباس و جعفر قتلا بالطف و عثمان و عبد الله أمهم أم البنين بنت حزام الكلابية … و عثمان الأصغر و يحيى و أمهما أسماء بنت عميس الخثعمية

‘Abbas and Jafar―who were killed at Taff (Karbala’)―as well as ‘Uthman and ‘Abdullah. Their mother is Umm al Banin bint Hizam al Kilabiyyah. ‘Uthman al Asghar and Yahya. Their mother is Asma’ bint ‘Umays al Khath’amiyyah.[5]

 

6. Abu al Farj al Asbahani in Maqatil al Talibiyin has listed the names of Sayyidina Hussain’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu brothers martyred at Karbala’ separately. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali’s name features there. Here is the text:

 

و عثمان بن علي بن أبي طالب عليهم السلام و أمه أم البنين … قتل عثمان بن علي و هو ابن إحدى و عشرين سنة

‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib rahimahu Llah. His mother is Umm al Banin. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali was killed at the age of 21.[6]

 

7. Al Mas’udi while discussing the Caliphate of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu lists his children in al Tanbih wa al Ashraf. He names 11 of his sons and ‘Uthman features at number 8.[7]

 

8. Al Mas’udi enumerates the names of the martyrs of Karbala’ under the heading: the days of Yazid ibn Muawiyah. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali’s name features at number 3 on the list:

و قتل معه من ولد أبيه ستة و هم العباس و جعفر و عثمان و محمد الأصغر و عبد الله و أبو بكر

Six of his consanguine brothers were killed with him, viz. ‘Abbas, Jafar, ‘Uthman, Muhammad al Asghar, ‘Abdullah, and Abu Bakr.[8]

 

9. Al Mufid writes the names of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu children in al Irshad:

 

و عثمان و عبد الله الشهداء مع أخيهم حسين بطف أمهم أم البنين

‘Uthman and ‘Abdullah were martyred with their brother Hussain at Taff (Karbala’). Their mother is Umm al Banin.[9]

 

10. ‘Ali bin ‘Isa al Arbili lists 14 of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu male issue. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali comes number 7 on the list.[10]

 

11. Jamal al Din Ahmed ibn ‘Ali, more commonly known as Ibn ‘Inabah, speaks of the sons of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in section four and five of his book ‘Umdat al Talib fi Ansab Al Abi Talib:

 

أمه (أم عباس) و أم أخوته عثمان و جعفر و عبد الله أم البنين فاطمة بنت حزام ابن خالد

His (‘Abbas’s) mother and the mother of his brothers, ‘Uthman, Jafar, and ‘Abdullah, is Umm al Banin Fatimah bint Hizam ibn Khalid.[11]

 

12. Mulla Baqir Majlisi―the Shia mujtahid of the eleventh century―lists the names of the Ahlul Bayt martyred on the Day of ‘Ashura’ in his book Jila’ al ‘Uyun:

 

نو نفر از فرزندان امیر المومنین علیہ السلام حضرت سید الشہداء و عباس و پسر او محمد و عمر و عثمان و جعفر و ابراہیم و عبد اللہ الاصغر و محمد الاصغر إلخ

Nine of the offspring of Amir al Mu’minin radiya Llahu ‘anhu, viz. Sayed al Shuhada’ (Hussain), ‘Abbas, and his son Muhammad, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, Jafar, Ibrahim, ‘Abdullah al Asghar, and Muhammad al Asghar.[12]

 

In short, Sayyidah ‘Uthman’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu blessed name features in the children of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu and is recorded by Sunni and Shia scholars and historians in many books, some of which we have quoted above. The quotations are verbatim. Those who are interested may refer to the original books.

Scores of authors have mentioned this point in their books. To quote from all the books is difficult. We felt it sufficient to suffice on 12 quotations from Sunni and Shia sources. The number 12 is also very blessed to the Shia, hence they will also be delighted with this. It was one of the accepted facts that Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu named one of his sons ‘Uthman. Just as he named two of his sons Abu Bakr and ‘Umar respectively, he chose the name ‘Uthman for his offspring.

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu choosing these names for his children is a manifest evidence for the love and respect he had for the three khulafa’ and the harmonious relationship they shared. To reject all of these clear proofs and still to have false conviction that there existed enmity and hatred between them coupled with tribalism and family distinction, and they just kept these names like that, is an injustice to justice and synonymous to denial of the sun in broad daylight. In fact, it is denial of facts which is unbecoming of a man with intelligence.

 

NEXT⇒  Conclusion

---

[1] Nasab Quraysh, pg. 43, list of the children of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Egypt print.

[2] Jamharat Ansab al ‘Arab, vol. 1 pg. 37, 38, list of the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Egypt print.

[3] Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 3 pg. 11, 12, biography of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Leiden print.

[4] Tarikh khalifah ibn Khayyat, pg. 224, year 61 A.H. the martyrdom of Hussain and his partisans, Najaf Ashraf print, Iraq.

[5] Tarikh Ya’qubi, vol. 2 pg. 213, ‘Ali’s children, Beirut print.

[6] Maqatil al Talibiyin, pg. 33, list of the martyrs of Karbala’, old Iran print.

[7] Al Tanbih wa al Ashraf, pg. 258, the Caliphate of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, 1357 A.H., 1938 edition.

[8] Al Tanbih wa al Ashraf, pg. 263, the martyrs of Karbala’.

[9] Al Irshad, pg. 167, 168, the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Tehran print.

[10] Kashf al Ghummah fi Ma’rifat al A’immah, vol. 1 pg. 590, the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Iran print.

[11] ‘Umdat al Talib fi Ansab Al Abi Talib, pg. 356, section four: mention of the offspring of ‘Abbas ibn Amir al Mu’minin, Najaf Ashraf print, Iraq.

[12] Jila’ al ‘Uyun, pg. 464, list of the martyrs of Karbala’ from ‘Ali’s offspring, Tehran print.

BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents

 

The Name of ‘Uthman was prevalent in the Children of ‘Ali

It is only natural for a person to exercise prudence when naming his children. He gives those names to his sons and daughters which will be a source of honour and pride for them for their entire lives. His selection of names gives an idea to his understanding, preferences, and natural inclinations. Generally, names of honourable, respected, and distinguished individuals are favoured with whom one has compatibility and loves and who are regarded as blessed and great. Those for whom rancour is harboured in the heart or are the targets of one’s anger and wrath or whom one despises; one does not name his children after them.

When we look at Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in the light of these natural tendencies and inclinations, we come to learn that the blessed names of Sayyidina Abu Bakr, Sayyidina ‘Umar, and Sayyidina ‘Uthman radiya Llahu ‘anhum were prevalent among his offspring which clearly proves that Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu held no grudges and harboured no rancour in any corner of his heart for the three khulafa’. To the contrary, he revered and respected them and held them in high esteem. That is why he allowed the custom of these names being among his children.

In the first (Siddiqi) and second (Faruqi) section of this book, we quoted texts from famous reliable and authentic books of both the Shia and Ahlus Sunnah and established that the names Abu Bakr and ‘Umar were found in the progeny of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu and other Hashimis. In the third (‘Uthmani) section, we wish to highlight the presence of the name ‘Uthman among Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu children. This will confirm beyond doubt that they had faith and reliance in Sayyidina ‘Uthman radiya Llahu ‘anhu and regarded his name blessed and sacred.

A few quotations will be reproduced below as evidence. Firstly, we will present from our books followed by corroboration from Shia books.

 

1. Abu ‘Abdullah al Mus’ab ibn ‘Abdullah al Zubairi (d. 236 A.H.) enumerates the offspring of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in Nasab Quraysh. He says:

 

عمر بن علي و رقية و هما توأم أمهما الصهباء من سبي خالد بن الوليد و كان عمر آخر ولد علي بن أبي طالب … العباس بن علي … إخوته لأبيه و أمه بنو علي و هم عثمان و جعفر و عبد الله فقتل قبله

‘Umar ibn ‘Ali and Ruqayyah were twins. Their mother was al Sahba’ from the captives of Khalid ibn al Walid. ‘Umar was the last son of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib.

‘Abbas ibn ‘Ali: His full brothers are ‘Uthman, Jafar, and ‘Abdullah who was killed (on the plains of Karbala’) before him.[1]

 

2. Abu Muhammad ‘Ali ibn Ahmed ibn Sa’id ibn Hazm al Andalusi (d. 456 A.H.) writes in his renowned book Jamharat Ansab al ‘Arab:

 

و العباس و أبو بكر و عثمان و جعفر و قتل أبو بكر و جعفر و عثمان و العباس مع أخيهم الحسين

6.‘Abbas 7. Abu Bakr 8. ‘Uthman 9. Jafar.

Abu Bakr, Jafar, ‘Uthman, and ‘Abbas were killed with their brother Hussain.[2]

 

3. It appears in Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d in the biography of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu:

 

و أبو بكر بن علي قتل مع الحسين … و العباس الأكبر بن علي و عثمان و جعفر الأكبر و عبد الله قتلوا مع الحسين بن علي إلخ

Abu Bakr ibn ‘Ali: He was killed with Hussain. ‘Abbas al Akbar ibn ‘Ali, ‘Uthman, Jafar al Akbar, and ‘Abdullah―all of them were martyred with Hussain ibn ‘Ali.[3]

 

4. It is written in Tarikh Khalifah ibn Khayyat in the events of the year 61 A.H. while discussing the martyrs of Karbala’:

 

قال أبو الحسن و قتل معه عثمان بن علي أمه أم البنين أيضا

Abu al Hassan said: ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali was killed with him. His mother is Umm al Banin as well.[4]

 

‘Uthman’s name in ‘Ali’s Offspring From Shia books

5. Ahmed ibn Ya’qub in his famous Tarikh Ya’qubi lists 24 of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu He lists the name ‘Uthman twice:

 

و العباس و جعفر قتلا بالطف و عثمان و عبد الله أمهم أم البنين بنت حزام الكلابية … و عثمان الأصغر و يحيى و أمهما أسماء بنت عميس الخثعمية

‘Abbas and Jafar―who were killed at Taff (Karbala’)―as well as ‘Uthman and ‘Abdullah. Their mother is Umm al Banin bint Hizam al Kilabiyyah. ‘Uthman al Asghar and Yahya. Their mother is Asma’ bint ‘Umays al Khath’amiyyah.[5]

 

6. Abu al Farj al Asbahani in Maqatil al Talibiyin has listed the names of Sayyidina Hussain’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu brothers martyred at Karbala’ separately. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali’s name features there. Here is the text:

 

و عثمان بن علي بن أبي طالب عليهم السلام و أمه أم البنين … قتل عثمان بن علي و هو ابن إحدى و عشرين سنة

‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib rahimahu Llah. His mother is Umm al Banin. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali was killed at the age of 21.[6]

 

7. Al Mas’udi while discussing the Caliphate of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu lists his children in al Tanbih wa al Ashraf. He names 11 of his sons and ‘Uthman features at number 8.[7]

 

8. Al Mas’udi enumerates the names of the martyrs of Karbala’ under the heading: the days of Yazid ibn Muawiyah. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali’s name features at number 3 on the list:

و قتل معه من ولد أبيه ستة و هم العباس و جعفر و عثمان و محمد الأصغر و عبد الله و أبو بكر

Six of his consanguine brothers were killed with him, viz. ‘Abbas, Jafar, ‘Uthman, Muhammad al Asghar, ‘Abdullah, and Abu Bakr.[8]

 

9. Al Mufid writes the names of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu children in al Irshad:

 

و عثمان و عبد الله الشهداء مع أخيهم حسين بطف أمهم أم البنين

‘Uthman and ‘Abdullah were martyred with their brother Hussain at Taff (Karbala’). Their mother is Umm al Banin.[9]

 

10. ‘Ali bin ‘Isa al Arbili lists 14 of Sayyidina ‘Ali’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu male issue. ‘Uthman ibn ‘Ali comes number 7 on the list.[10]

 

11. Jamal al Din Ahmed ibn ‘Ali, more commonly known as Ibn ‘Inabah, speaks of the sons of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu in section four and five of his book ‘Umdat al Talib fi Ansab Al Abi Talib:

 

أمه (أم عباس) و أم أخوته عثمان و جعفر و عبد الله أم البنين فاطمة بنت حزام ابن خالد

His (‘Abbas’s) mother and the mother of his brothers, ‘Uthman, Jafar, and ‘Abdullah, is Umm al Banin Fatimah bint Hizam ibn Khalid.[11]

 

12. Mulla Baqir Majlisi―the Shia mujtahid of the eleventh century―lists the names of the Ahlul Bayt martyred on the Day of ‘Ashura’ in his book Jila’ al ‘Uyun:

 

نو نفر از فرزندان امیر المومنین علیہ السلام حضرت سید الشہداء و عباس و پسر او محمد و عمر و عثمان و جعفر و ابراہیم و عبد اللہ الاصغر و محمد الاصغر إلخ

Nine of the offspring of Amir al Mu’minin radiya Llahu ‘anhu, viz. Sayed al Shuhada’ (Hussain), ‘Abbas, and his son Muhammad, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, Jafar, Ibrahim, ‘Abdullah al Asghar, and Muhammad al Asghar.[12]

 

In short, Sayyidah ‘Uthman’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu blessed name features in the children of Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu and is recorded by Sunni and Shia scholars and historians in many books, some of which we have quoted above. The quotations are verbatim. Those who are interested may refer to the original books.

Scores of authors have mentioned this point in their books. To quote from all the books is difficult. We felt it sufficient to suffice on 12 quotations from Sunni and Shia sources. The number 12 is also very blessed to the Shia, hence they will also be delighted with this. It was one of the accepted facts that Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu named one of his sons ‘Uthman. Just as he named two of his sons Abu Bakr and ‘Umar respectively, he chose the name ‘Uthman for his offspring.

Sayyidina ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu choosing these names for his children is a manifest evidence for the love and respect he had for the three khulafa’ and the harmonious relationship they shared. To reject all of these clear proofs and still to have false conviction that there existed enmity and hatred between them coupled with tribalism and family distinction, and they just kept these names like that, is an injustice to justice and synonymous to denial of the sun in broad daylight. In fact, it is denial of facts which is unbecoming of a man with intelligence.

 

NEXT⇒  Conclusion

---

[1] Nasab Quraysh, pg. 43, list of the children of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Egypt print.

[2] Jamharat Ansab al ‘Arab, vol. 1 pg. 37, 38, list of the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Egypt print.

[3] Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d, vol. 3 pg. 11, 12, biography of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, Leiden print.

[4] Tarikh khalifah ibn Khayyat, pg. 224, year 61 A.H. the martyrdom of Hussain and his partisans, Najaf Ashraf print, Iraq.

[5] Tarikh Ya’qubi, vol. 2 pg. 213, ‘Ali’s children, Beirut print.

[6] Maqatil al Talibiyin, pg. 33, list of the martyrs of Karbala’, old Iran print.

[7] Al Tanbih wa al Ashraf, pg. 258, the Caliphate of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, 1357 A.H., 1938 edition.

[8] Al Tanbih wa al Ashraf, pg. 263, the martyrs of Karbala’.

[9] Al Irshad, pg. 167, 168, the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Tehran print.

[10] Kashf al Ghummah fi Ma’rifat al A’immah, vol. 1 pg. 590, the children of Amir al Mu’minin, new Iran print.

[11] ‘Umdat al Talib fi Ansab Al Abi Talib, pg. 356, section four: mention of the offspring of ‘Abbas ibn Amir al Mu’minin, Najaf Ashraf print, Iraq.

[12] Jila’ al ‘Uyun, pg. 464, list of the martyrs of Karbala’ from ‘Ali’s offspring, Tehran print.