And striving with one’s wealth takes precedence over striving in person, as in the words of the Most High:
“Strive with your wealth and your lives in Allah’s cause.” [Surah al-Tawbah: 41], to the end of the verse.
And His words:
“Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in Allah’s cause with their wealth and their lives.” [Surah al-Tawbah: 20], to the end of the verse.
And His words:
“Indeed, those who believed, emigrated, and strove with their wealth and their lives in Allah’s cause, and those who gave shelter and aid—they are allies of one another.” [Surah al-Anfāl: 72] (1).
This is because people fight to defend their wealth. Whoever strives with his wealth has actually parted with it for Allah’s sake, whereas whoever strives in person for Allah’s sake hopes to survive and is not willing to be killed in battle. Thus, most people capable of fighting find it easy to fight but do not find it easy to part with their wealth. It is well known that they all strove with their wealth and in person, but some contributed more through their wealth, while others contributed more through their personal efforts.
Moreover, through his personal striving in directing the conquests, Uthmān achieved what Alī did not achieve to the same extent. His migration to Abyssinia likewise afforded him a distinction that Alī did not attain, as did his journey to Mecca at the time of the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah. The pledge of al-Ridwān was made to the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—only when news reached him that the polytheists had killed Uthmān. He pledged on Uthmān’s behalf with one of his own hands. This is among the greatest distinctions, for the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—pledged on his behalf.