Uthman, Islam, Biographies

Related Category: Islam, Biographies

Uthman[OOth´mAn] Pronunciation Key or Othman[Oth´] Pronunciation Key, c.574–656, 3d caliph (644–56); son-in-law of Muhammad. He belonged to the great Umayyad family and was selected as caliph after the murder of Umar. Muslim conquests were continued and extended to Bactria and Cyprus. To strengthen his control over the distant provinces, he replaced the generals and governors appointed by Abu Bakr and Umar with members of his own family. In 656 a mob of malcontents in Medina stormed Uthman's house and murdered him. Ali succeeded to the caliphate. Osman is the Turkish form of Othman.

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