The Caliph gifted to Marwan bin Hakam bin Abil Aas, his cousin and son-in-law, that is husband of Umme Aban, his daughter, one-fifth of the booty from
Africa, which came to five hundred thousand dinars.1
Balazari and Ibne Saad have narrated that: Uthman wrote for Marwan the
Khums of Egypt and paid monies to his relatives, and justified this act saying that
it was doing a good turn to relatives; and he took over the funds and borrowed
money from Public Treasury and said: “Indeed, Abu Bakr and Umar did not take
the share that belonged to them and I have taken it and distributed among my
relatives.” But people found fault with him due to this act.2
Balazari in Ansab,3 through chains of Waqidi, has narrated from Umme
Bakr, daughter of Miswar that:
When Marwan constructed his house in Medina, he gave a party to people
and Miswar was among the invitees. Marwan said: “By God, I have not spent
even a single dirham from the funds of Muslims on this house.”
Miswar said: “If you eat your food and keep your mouth shut, it would be
better for you. You were with us in the battle of Africa and you were behind us in
wealth, slaves and servants and your luggage was lighter than us. Then Ibne
Affan gave Khums of Africa to you and you became the agent for collecting taxes and took over funds, which belonged to Muslims.”
Marwan complained about him to Urwah and said: “I accorded respect tohim, but he is an ill-wisher.”
Halabi has mentioned in his Seerah that:4 Among the things they found fault
with Uthman was that he granted 150 thousand Awqiya5 to his cousin, Marwan
bin Hakam.
Marwan, and who is Marwan?
It is authentically narrated that Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) cursed
Marwan’s father and whoever emerges from his loins, as was mentioned before.6
And the statement of Ayesha to Marwan, which is narrated through correct
chains of narrators, was also mentioned previously:7
“The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.) cursed your father; so you are a part of
the curse of God.”
Hakim in Mustadrak,8 has narrated this traditional report through channels
of Abdur Rahman bin Auf and regarded it correct:
No child was born in Medina, but that it was brought to the Messenger of
Allah (s.a.w.a.) [who prayed for it]. So Marwan bin Hakam was brought to him
and His Eminence (s.a.w.a.) said: “This is a lizard, son of a lizard and the
accursed, son of an accursed.”
Perhaps Muawiyah hinted to this same tradition when he said to Marwan:
“O son of lizard, you are not in that estimation and these letters did not come to
you.”9
Ibne Najib has narrated from Jubair bin Mutim that: We were present with
Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.), when Hakam bin Aas passed by. He said: “Woe be
on my Ummah from what is present in his loins.”10
In Sharh Ibne Abil Hadid11 it is quoted from Istiab12 : One day Ali (a.s.)
glanced at Marwan and said:
“Woe be on you, and woe be on the Ummah of Muhammad from you and
from your clan when the hair between your eyes and ear turn white.”