44/3. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2402a — Uthman's Shy Nature
The Virtues Of 'Uthman Bin 'Affan (RA)
Hadith About Uthman's Modesty and Gentle Care
Sahih Muslim : 2402a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2402a
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ شُعَيْبِ بْنِ اللَّيْثِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ جَدِّي، حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلُ، بْنُ خَالِدٍ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ سَعِيدَ بْنَ الْعَاصِ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعُثْمَانَ حَدَّثَاهُ أَنَّ أَبَا بَكْرٍ اسْتَأْذَنَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ مُضْطَجِعٌ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ لاَبِسٌ مِرْطَ عَائِشَةَ فَأَذِنَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ فَقَضَى إِلَيْهِ حَاجَتَهُ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنَ عُمَرُ فَأَذِنَ لَهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ فَقَضَى إِلَيْهِ حَاجَتَهُ ثُمَّ انْصَرَفَ . قَالَ عُثْمَانُ ثُمَّ اسْتَأْذَنْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَجَلَسَ وَقَالَ لِعَائِشَةَ " اجْمَعِي عَلَيْكِ ثِيَابَكِ " . فَقَضَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ حَاجَتِي ثُمَّ انْصَرَفْتُ فَقَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا لِي لَمْ أَرَكَ فَزِعْتَ لأَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا كَمَا فَزِعْتَ لِعُثْمَانَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ عُثْمَانَ رَجُلٌ حَيِيٌّ وَإِنِّي خَشِيتُ إِنْ أَذِنْتُ لَهُ عَلَى تِلْكَ الْحَالِ أَنْ لاَ يَبْلُغَ إِلَىَّ فِي حَاجَتِهِ " .
A'isha, the wife of Allah's Apostle (mav peace be upon him), and Uthman both reported that Abu Bakr sought permission from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) for entrance (in his apartment) as he had been lying on his bed covered with the bed-sheet of A'isha, and he gave permission to Abu Bakr in that very state and he, having his need fulfilled, went back. Then Umar sought permission and it was given to him in that very state and, after having his need fulfilled, he went back. And 'Uthman reported: Then I sought permission from him and he got up and raid to A'isha: Wrap yourself well with your cloth, then I got my need fulfilled and came back. And A'isha said: Allah's Messenger, why is it that I did not see you feeling any anxiety in case of dressing properly in the presence of Abu Bakr and 'Umar (Allah be pleased with them) as you showed in case of 'Uthman. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Verily Uthman is a person who is very modest and I was afraid that if I permitted him to enter in this very state he would not inform me of his need.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2402aIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 40USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 5907
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2402a
This Hadith about Uthman's modesty gives more detail about the Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم care for him. Abu Bakr sought permission while the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was lying down covered with Aisha's sheet, and he was admitted. Umar then came and was also admitted in that state. When Uthman asked permission, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sat up and told Aisha to wrap herself well. After Uthman left, Aisha asked why he had acted differently. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained that Uthman was a very modest person, and he feared that if Uthman entered while he was in that state, Uthman might not fully express his need. The report shows gentle understanding of people's character.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم considered Uthman's modest nature before admitting him.
- Uthman's haya is presented as a real part of his personality.
- Good manners include making others comfortable enough to speak.
- The narration shows respect, privacy, and thoughtful conduct in one scene.
