Uthman ibn Affan

Uthman was among the earliest converts, brought to Islam by Abu Bakr. He was a wealthy and handsome man of Quraysh, known for his shyness — the Prophet said: 'Should I not be shy before a man whom the angels are shy before?' He married Ruqayyah, the Prophet's daughter, and they were among the first to migrate to Abyssinia. When Ruqayyah fell ill during the Battle of Badr, he stayed to nurse her by the Prophet's command. She passed away while the Muslims were at Badr. The Prophet then married him to her sister Umm Kulthum, earning him the title 'Dhun-Nurayn' (Possessor of Two Lights). His generosity was legendary. He purchased the well of Rumah and made it free for all Muslims. For the expedition of Tabuk, he single-handedly equipped a third of the entire army — 300 camels with their saddles and 1,000 dinars. The Prophet said while counting the coins: 'Nothing Uthman does after today will harm him,' and repeated it. When the Prophet called for donations, Uthman kept returning with more until the Prophet was visibly pleased. He was sent as the Prophet's envoy to the Quraysh at Hudaybiyyah. When the rumour spread that he had been killed, the Prophet took the Pledge of Ridwan under the tree, placing his own hand in place of Uthman's, saying: 'This is for Uthman.'