AN EXAMPLE FROM
UTHMAN IBN AFFAN

One day, Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah had a discussion with Uthman ibn Affan. He said, “There are three things in which I am superior to you.” Uthman asked, “What are those things?” Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah replied:

“First, I was present at the Pledge of Ridwan (Hudaybiyyah), and you were absent at that time.

Second, I participated in the Battle of Badr, and you did not. Third, at the Battle of Uhud, I was among those who remained firm, while you did not remain firm.”

The narrator says that Uthman did not get angry upon hearing this. Instead, he said, “You have spoken the truth.” (fa lam yaghdab Uthman wa lakinahu qala lahu: sadaqt)

Then, while presenting his side of the story, Uthman said, “As for the Pledge of Ridwan, the Prophet of Islam had sent me to Makkah on an important mission. Regarding the Battle of Badr, what happened was that the Prophet of Islam appointed me to stay behind in Madinah in his place. And as for my withdrawal at the Battle of Uhud, God has forgiven me for that shortcoming.” (Al-‘Abqariyyat al-Islamiyyah, p. 571)

In this incident, Uthman was directly confronted. All three points mentioned seemed, on the surface, to seriously damage and cast doubt on his character. Yet, even after hearing such strong criticism, Uthman did not become angry. He calmly said that, as a matter of fact, what was said was true. After acknowledging this, he explained his own perspective regarding all three events.

From this incident in the life of the third Caliph of Islam, it becomes clear that the Islamic approach is to listen to even harsh criticism with a calm mind. One should avoid reacting with anger and simply clarify the facts in a straightforward manner.