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During the reign of Abu Bakr as Siddiq there was a very significant drought and people started stressing as there was no rain, crops weren't growing, and they were running short on supplies. People came to Abu Bakr and asked for help but he told them to go back & be patient.
This was all quite difficult for them.
At this time, Uthman ibn Affan was a businessman and he would send caravans of camels (loaded with supplies) to the Levant & back in order to trade with.
This was one thing everybody kept in mind. So when the camels arrived with the food,
At this time, Uthman ibn Affan was a businessman and he would send caravans of camels (loaded with supplies) to the Levant & back in order to trade with.
This was one thing everybody kept in mind. So when the camels arrived with the food,
everybody gathered at the house of Uthman ibn Affan and urged him that there was a drought and they heard he has food. So Uthman let the merchants of the city into his house to come look at all of the merchandise. Then he looked at them and said,
"O merchants! How much will you give me in return for my food supplies from the Levant?"
They had decided that they were going to give him a premium rate in order to secure the food supplies.
They said, "We'll pay you a 20% mark up [for however much you bought all of it]!"
They had decided that they were going to give him a premium rate in order to secure the food supplies.
They said, "We'll pay you a 20% mark up [for however much you bought all of it]!"
Uthman said, "Someone else has offered more."
They were perplexed, but went on, "We'll pay you a 50% mark up [for however much you bought all of it]."
Uthman said, "Someone else has offered me more still."
They were gobsmacked.
They were perplexed, but went on, "We'll pay you a 50% mark up [for however much you bought all of it]."
Uthman said, "Someone else has offered me more still."
They were gobsmacked.
"O Uthman, there aren't any other merchants in the city besides us! Who has offered you more than this?"
Uthman said, "Allah has offered more than this - he's offered me a 1000% mark up [i.e. for every dirham spent, I'll receive ten back]. Can you offer more than this?"
Uthman said, "Allah has offered more than this - he's offered me a 1000% mark up [i.e. for every dirham spent, I'll receive ten back]. Can you offer more than this?"
They responded despondently, "O God. No. We can't."
Uthman said, "Then [know that] I make God a witness [over this]: I give away all these food supplies as charity to the poor believers."
Uthman said, "Then [know that] I make God a witness [over this]: I give away all these food supplies as charity to the poor believers."
And so the people were intensely happy, and their affairs were eased.
Ibn Abbas, who narrated this story, then speaks of a dream he had:
Ibn Abbas, who narrated this story, then speaks of a dream he had:
"That night I saw the Prophet ﷺ in my dream. He was on a black & white spotted horse. He was wearing a garment made of light, and upon his feet there were two sandals of light, and in his hand there was a cane made of light, and he was rushing away."
I said, "Ya RasulAllah! I am missing you intensely & I miss your words! Where are you hurrying to?"
He said, "O Ibn Abbas! Uthman has given a great amount in charity, and Allah has accepted it from him and married him to a bride in Paradise, and we've been invited to the event!"
He said, "O Ibn Abbas! Uthman has given a great amount in charity, and Allah has accepted it from him and married him to a bride in Paradise, and we've been invited to the event!"
[الرقة والبكاء لابن قدامة رحمه الله]
