recitation of the Quran and long hours of night vigil. While he was in that state, those oppressive intruders broke in and murdered him, so he fell as a martyr. In this way the Prophet’s words were fulfilled. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, once climbed Mount Uhud—a large, well-known mountain in Madinah—together with Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmān, the mountain quaked beneath them. This was one of Allah’s signs; it was not a tremor of punishment or collapse, but a tremor of joy. As it shook, the Prophet said, “Steady, Uhud! For upon you stand a prophet, a ṣiddīq, and two martyrs.” The prophet was the Messenger himself, the ṣiddīq was Abu Bakr, and the two martyrs were ʿUmar and ʿUthmān—both of whom were indeed killed as martyrs. ʿUmar was slain while stepping forward to lead the Muslims in the dawn prayer, stabbed in the prayer-niche; ʿUthmān was killed in his own house while striving in the night prayer. May Allah be pleased with them both, and may He join us and the righteous among the Muslims with them in the abode of everlasting bliss.

This story, therefore, carries glad tidings for Abu Bakr, ʿUmar, and ʿUthmān, and for that reason the compiler, may Allah have mercy on him, included it in this chapter. May Allah be pleased with them all, and may He make us and all Muslims among those who are gathered in the company of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.