and ‘Abd al-Rahmān ibn ‘Awf. “Three” relinquished their claim to it: Talha, al-Zubayr, and Sa‘d. The choice thus remained among “three”: ‘Uthmān, ‘Alī, and ‘Abd al-Rahmān. One of the two was then appointed, and ‘Abd al-Rahmān continued consulting the Emigrants, the Helpers, and those who followed them in righteousness for three days. He then reported that they regarded no one as equal to ‘Uthmān.

The account of his death and caliphate is lengthy; whoever wishes to learn it should consult the reports of trustworthy narrators. Allah knows best. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and grant him peace.