Describe the circumstances that made cUthmān b. cĀffān earn the title Dhu-Nurayn.

Answer Details

How 'Uthman b. 'Affan earned the title Dhu-Nurayn

The title Dhu-Nurayn means "Possessor of the Two Lights." 'Uthman b. 'Affan, the third Rightly-Guided Caliph, earned it because he was honoured to marry two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.), one after the other.

1. Marriage to Ruqayyah: 'Uthman first married Ruqayyah, a daughter of the Prophet. He was an early convert to Islam, and he migrated with her to Abyssinia and later to Madinah for the sake of their faith.
2. Death of Ruqayyah: Ruqayyah fell seriously ill at the time of the Battle of Badr. The Prophet permitted 'Uthman to remain in Madinah to nurse her instead of joining the battle, and she passed away shortly after.
3. Marriage to Umm Kulthum: After the death of Ruqayyah, the Prophet gave 'Uthman another of his daughters, Umm Kulthum, in marriage. It was because he married these two daughters of the Prophet that he was given the honorific Dhu-Nurayn.
4. Significance: The Prophet is reported to have remarked that had he possessed even more daughters he would have given them to 'Uthman, a mark of the great trust and honour in which 'Uthman was held. The title reflects both this unique privilege and 'Uthman's outstanding piety, generosity and modesty.