Sahih al-Bukhari 3698

A man came to perform the Hajj to (Allah's) House. Seeing some people sitting, he said, "Who are these sitting people?" Somebody said, "They are the people of Quraish." He said, "Who is the old man?" They said, "Ibn `Umar." He went to him and said, "I want to ask you about something; will you tell me about it? I ask you with the respect due to the sanctity of this (Sacred) House, do you know that `Uthman bin `Affan fled on the day of Uhud?" Ibn `Umar said, "Yes." He said, "Do you know that he (i.e. `Uthman) was absent from the Badr (battle) and did not join it?" Ibn `Umar said, "Yes." He said, "Do you know that he failed to be present at the Ridwan Pledge of allegiance (i.e. Pledge of allegiance at Hudaibiya) and did not witness it?" Ibn `Umar replied, "Yes," He then said, "Allahu- Akbar!" Ibn `Umar said, "Come along; I will inform you and explain to you what you have asked. As for the flight (of `Uthman) on the day of Uhud, I testify that Allah forgave him. As regards his absence from the Badr (battle), he was married to the daughter of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and she was ill, so the Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, 'You will have such reward as a man who has fought the Badr battle will get, and will also have the same share of the booty.' As for his absence from the Ridwan Pledge of allegiance if there had been anybody more respected by the Meccans than `Uthman bin `Affan, the Prophet (ﷺ) would surely have sent that man instead of `Uthman. So the Prophet (ﷺ) sent him (i.e. `Uthman to Mecca) and the Ridwan Pledge of allegiance took place after `Uthman had gone to Mecca. The Prophet (ﷺ) raised his right hand saying. 'This is the hand of `Uthman,' and clapped it over his other hand and said, "This is for `Uthman.'" Ibn `Umar then said (to the man), "Go now, after taking this information."

"A man among the people of Egypt performed Hajj to the House, and saw a group sitting, so he said: 'Who are these?' They said: 'The Quraish.' He said: 'So who is this old man?' They said: 'Ibn 'Umar.' So he went to him and said: 'I will ask you about something, so inform me. I ask you by Allah! By the sanctity of this House! Do you know that 'Uthman fled on the Day of (the battle of) Uhud?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Do you know that he was absent from the Pledge of Ar-Ridwan, that he did not witness it?' He said: 'Yes.' He said: 'Do you know that he was absent on the Day of (the battle of) Badr and did not participate in it?' He said: 'Yes.' So he said: 'Allah is Great' So Ibn 'Umar said to him: 'Come, so I can clarify to you what you have asked about. As for his fleeing on the Day of (the battle of) Uhud, then I bear witness that Allah has pardoned him and forgiven him. As for his being absent on the Day of (the battle of) Badr, then he was married to the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: "You have the reward of a man who participated in (the battle of) Badr, and his share (spoils of war)." [And he ordered him to stay behind with her, as she was ill]. As for his being absent from the Pledge of Ar-Ridwan, then if there was anyone more revered in Makkah than 'Uthman, then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would have sent him instead of 'Uthman. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent 'Uthman [to Makkah], and the Pledge of Ar-Ridwan was after 'Uthman had departed for Makkah." He said: "So the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said with his right hand: "This is the hand of 'Uthman," and he put it upon his own hand, and said: "This is for 'Uthman."' He said to him: "Go now, and take this (clarification) with you."