Hadith No: 6
Ibn Kathir - Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim - Ali 'Imran: 149
Interpretation of His statement, exalted be He: {O you who have believed, if you obey those who disbelieve, they will turn you back on your heels, and you will become losers.}
Volume: (2) - Page Number: (137)
[The text is lengthy, so only the relevant excerpt is provided here]
- .... Al-Bukhari said: Abdullah narrated to us, telling us from Abu Hamza, from Uthman ibn Muhib, who said: A man came to perform Hajj at the House and saw some people sitting. He said: Who are those sitting? They said: These are the Quraysh. He asked: And who is the old man? They replied: Ibn Umar. So he went to him and said: I will ask you about something; will you tell me? He replied: I beseech you by the sanctity of this House
do you know that Uthman ibn Affan turned and fled on the day of Uhud? He said: Yes. The man continued: Do you know that he was absent from Badr and did not witness it? He said: Yes. The man then asked: Do you know that he stayed back from the Pledge of Ridwan and did not witness it? He said: Yes. So he declared a great act. Ibn Umar said: Come, I will tell you and clarify to you about what you asked me.
As for his fleeing on the day of Uhud, bear witness that Allah forgave him....
- ....
Ibn Umar said: Come, I will tell you and clarify to you about what you asked me. As for his fleeing on the day of Uhud, bear witness that Allah forgave him, and as for his absence from Badr, it was because he was taking care of the Prophet's (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) daughter, who was ill. And the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) said to him: You will have the reward of a man who witnessed Badr and his share. As for his absence from the Pledge of Ridwan, if there had been anyone more honored in the Valley of Mecca than Uthman ibn Affan, he would have sent him in his place, but he sent Uthman. The Pledge of Ridwan took place after Uthman went to Mecca, and the Prophet (peace be upon him and his holy progeny) raised his right hand and said: This is the hand of Uthman, and he struck it with his hand, saying: This is for Uthman.