[Response to the Rāfidī’s statement that Uthmān appointed Abd Allah ibn Āmir governor of Basra, and he committed the objectionable acts that he did]

As for his statement:

“He appointed Abd Allah ibn Āmir governor of Basra, and he committed the objectionable acts that he did.”

The response is that Abd Allah ibn Āmir’s virtues and the love he inspired in people’s hearts are undeniable. If he committed an objectionable act, its sin rests upon him (1). Who has ever claimed that Uthmān approved of the objectionable act he committed?

[Response to the Rāfidī’s statement that Uthmān placed Marwān in charge of his affairs and handed him the reins of power]

As for his statement:

“He placed Marwān in charge of his affairs, handed him the reins of all his affairs, and gave him his signet ring. This resulted in Uthmān’s killing and in the civil strife within the Muslim community that ensued.”

The response is that Marwān (2) alone was not the cause of Uthmān’s killing and the civil strife. Rather, numerous factors came together, including objectionable actions on Marwān’s part. Uthmān—may Allah be pleased with him—had grown old, and they would do things without informing him. He did not instruct them to do the things for which you condemned him (3). Rather, he would order that they be removed and dismissed. [At times he did so] (4), and at other times he did not. The general response has already been given (5).

When the troublemakers who intended to kill Uthmān arrived and complained of certain matters, [Uthmān] (6) remedied them all. He even agreed to dismiss whomever they wanted dismissed, to place the keys of the public treasury in the hands of someone they approved, and to give no one any money without consulting the Companions and obtaining their approval. They had no demand left unmet. For this reason, these were the words of Aisha