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'Uthman ibn 'Affan

 
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: 'Uthman ibn 'Affan
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(died June 17, 656, Medina, Arabia) Third caliph to rule after the death of the Prophet. Born into the powerful Umayyad clan of Mecca, he became a wealthy merchant before converting to Islam; he was the first convert of high social and economic standing. He married a daughter of Muhammad. On the death of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (644), 'Uthman was chosen as his successor. His reign as caliph was marked by nepotism and personal profit, and he made many enemies. His accomplishments included centralizing the administration of the caliphate and establishing an official version of the Qu'ran. His death at the hands of rebels marked the beginning of the first fitnah.

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