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Uthman ibn Affan, a companion of Muhammad, is appointed the third caliph of Islam (644-656)

Uthman ibn Affan, the third Rashidun caliph, who ruled from 644 to 656, was assassinated at the end of a siege upon his house in 656.

Uthman ibn Affan, the third Rashidun caliph, who ruled from 644 to 656, was assassinated at the end of a siege upon his house in 656. This was initially a protest but escalated into a siege following the death of a protester. The protesters-turned-rebels had demanded a new caliph, which Uthman refused. On 17 June 656 (35 AH) protestors set the house on fire, made their way inside, and killed him.

The assassination of Uthman had a polarizing effect on the Ummah at the time. Questions were raised not only regarding his character and policies but also the relationship between Muslims and the state, religious beliefs regarding rebellion and governance, and the qualifications of rulership in Islam.

Historical Significance

Uthman ibn Affan, the third Rashidun caliph, who ruled from 644 to 656, was assassinated at the end of a siege upon his house in 656.

Events Before

  1. Arab forces under Amr ibn al-'As conquer Alexandria

    Amr ibn al-As ibn Wa'il al-Sahmi (585 – 664) was an Arab commander and companion of Muhammad who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt and served as its governor in 640–646 and 658–664.

  2. Chindasuinth becomes the Visigothic King of Hispania after deposing King Tulga in a coup and tonsuring him (making him a

    Chindasuinth becomes the Visigothic King of Hispania after deposing King Tulga in a coup and tonsuring him (making him a monk)

  3. Battle of Maserfield: British Anglo-Saxon King Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia

    Eowa (or Eawa) (d. 642) was a son of the Mercian king Pybba and a brother of the Mercian king Penda; he was possibly King of Northern Mercia, as the 8th-century Historia Brittonum reports that he was...

  4. John IV ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    The pope is the bishop of Rome and the head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff.

  5. Theodore I begins his reign as Catholic Pope, rules till 649

    Theodore I begins his reign as Catholic Pope, rules till 649

Events After

  1. Theodore I's reign as Catholic Pope ends with his death

    Theodore I's reign as Catholic Pope ends with his death

  2. Pope Martinus I elected to succeed Theodore I

    Pope Martin I (Latin: Martinus I, Greek: Πάπας Μαρτῖνος; between 590 and 600 – 16 September 655), also known as Martin the Confessor, was the bishop of Rome from 21 July 649 to his death 16 September...

  3. St Martin I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Martin I begins his reign as Catholic Pope

  4. Pope Martin I is chosen as the successor of Theodore I

    Pope Martin I (Latin: Martinus I, Greek: Πάπας Μαρτῖνος; between 590 and 600 – 16 September 655), also known as Martin the Confessor, was the bishop of Rome from 21 July 649 to his death 16 September...

  5. St Martin I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

    St Martin I ends his reign as Catholic Pope

More from the 640s

Arab forces under Amr ibn al-'As conquer Alexandria

Amr ibn al-As ibn Wa'il al-Sahmi (585 – 664) was an Arab commander and companion of Muhammad who led the Muslim conquest of Egypt and served as its governor in 640–646 and 658–664.

The second Muslim caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, is injured in an assassination attempt in Medina by Lu'lu, an enslaved Pe

The second Muslim caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, is injured in an assassination attempt in Medina by Lu'lu, an enslaved Persian captive. The caliph dies four days later.

Chindasuinth becomes the Visigothic King of Hispania after deposing King Tulga in a coup and tonsuring him (making him a

Chindasuinth becomes the Visigothic King of Hispania after deposing King Tulga in a coup and tonsuring him (making him a monk)

Eligius (Saint Eloy) becomes bishop of Doornik-Noyon

Eligius (Saint Eloy) becomes bishop of Doornik-Noyon

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 14, 644?
Uthman ibn Affan, the third Rashidun caliph, who ruled from 644 to 656, was assassinated at the end of a siege upon his house in 656. This was initially a protest but escalated into a siege following the death of a protester. The protesters-turned-rebels had demanded a new caliph, which Uthman refused.
Why is Uthman ibn Affan, a companion of Muhammad, is appointed the third caliph of I... significant?
Uthman ibn Affan, the third Rashidun caliph, who ruled from 644 to 656, was assassinated at the end of a siege upon his house in 656.

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December 14 in HistoryYear 644