1. As mentioned in Ansab1 of Balazari, it is mentioned in the report of Zuhri
that:
There was a basket full of jewels in the Public Treasury. Uthman took some
of them and distributed them among his ladies so that they may wear them. At
that time people faulted him for that, which he came to know. So he delivered a
speech saying: “This is the property of God, I will give to whoever I like and
deprive anyone I like; and may Allah degrade those, who grudge this act.”
Ammar said: “By God, I am the first of those, who condemned this act and
my nose shall be smeared in dust.”
Uthman said: “O son of Sumayyah, you are audacious towards me,” and he
beat him till he swooned. Ammar said: “Thanks be to God, this is not the first time that I am tortured for the sake of Almighty.”
Ayesha also became infuriated and took out a strand of Prophet’s hair, one
of his garments and a slipper, and according to Wahab she said, “How soon have
you abandoned the practice of your Prophet?”
Amr Aas said: “This is the pulpit of your prophet and this is his garment,
and this is his hair, which has not decayed, and you changed the Sunnah of
Prophet.” Uthman became so infuriated that he did not know what he was saying.
2. Balazari writes in Ansab:2 Miqdad bin Amr, Ammar bin Yasir, Talha,
Zubair and many other companions of Prophet wrote a letter listing the heresies
of Uthman, and reminded him of God. They announced that if he would not
desist, they would stage an uprising against him, so Ammar took the letter and
came to Uthman.
He read a part of the letter and then glanced at Ammar and asked him,
“Have you come to me on their behalf?”
Ammar replied, “I am more concerned than them about you.”
Uthman said, “You lie, O son of Sumayyah!”
Ammar said, “By Allah, I am the son of Sumayyah and the son of Yasir.”
Uthman ordered his servants to tie up the limbs of Ammar and pull them
apart. Uthman himself kicked Ammar so hard in the groin that he developed
hernia, became weak and lost consciousness.
Ibne Abil Hadid has mentioned this story in his Sharh Nahjul Balagha,3 quoting from Sayyid Murtada, without criticizing Uthman.
3. Balazari writes in Ansab:4 It is also narrated that when the news of the
passing away of Abu Zar reached Uthman, he said: “May Allah have mercy on
him.”
Ammar said mocking Uthman, “May Allah have mercy on all of us.”
Uthman became infuriated and addressed Ammar in the worst possible
manner, saying, “O one, whose father’s mouth foamed. Do you think I regret
sending him to exile?”
Such a behavior hardly befits a commoner, what to say about Uthman, who
claims that angels were ashamed of him?
Uthman instructed his servants to take Ammar away and torture and beat
him up and exile him also to Rabdha. When they were ready to depart for
Rabdha, Bani Makhzum tribesmen came to Imam Ameerul Momineen Ali (a.s.)
and petitioned him to speak to Uthman and Ali (a.s.) told him:
“Fear Allah! You exiled a righteous person from Muslims and he passed in that exile5 and now you want to exile him (Ammar) similarly?”
Uthman arose and shouted at the Holy Imam (a.s.), “You are more deserving
to be exiled.”
His Eminence said, “If you want to do it, go ahead.”
The Emigrants gathered around him and complained and criticized him. He
relented and gave amnesty to Ammar.
It is mentioned in Tabaqat of Ibne Saad6 that Uqbah bin Aamir was ordered
by Uthman bin Affan to beat up Ammar.
Allamah Amini says: This is the conduct of the Caliph towards one for
whom verses of Quran were revealed, and Quran has testified that his heart was
at rest and he had obtained divine pleasure. It has also testified that he was
engrossed in worship in the hours of the night and in the condition of prostration
and standing, was terrified of the chastisement of the hereafter. [And this was
why he was tranquil and had peace of mind].
He was among the first Muslims and who had reserved a place in his house
for worship, where he prayed.7 He was one, about whom numerous praises are
narrated from Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.). And these praises are accompanied
with emphatic restraint from his enmity, and being infuriated on him, and abusing
him, insulting him, and condemning him, and trespassing on his rights. If Allah
wills, you will see the words of this traditional report.
Companions of the early period of Islam accorded respect to Ammar and
they had negative feeling towards those, who harassed, abused or infuriated him.
Nothing is narrated from Ammar other than what pleased Almighty Allah and his
anger was only from God and His Prophet; for speaking out the truth and taking a
stance opposing falsehood, whether people be pleased or infuriated.
It was like how his parents were persecuted, and their faith and humility for
seeking the pleasure of God was always on the lips of the Prophet of Islam
(s.a.w.a.) and he remembered them constantly, and prayed for them: “O family of
Yasir, be patient and your promised abode is Paradise.” This traditional report is
narrated through the chains of Uthman bin Affan.8
And he said: “O family of Yasir, glad tidings to you that your promised
abode is Paradise,” which is mentioned through Jabir.9
And he said: “O God, please forgive the family of Yasir.” Uthman has
narrated this report as well.10 Yes, such was the beginning of his religious life
(embracing faith) till the end of his life, when the party of oppressors martyred
him. Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had informed him about that through following
statement: “An unjust group will martyr you.”
And it is mentioned in the words of Muawiyah: “An unjust group will
eliminate Ammar.”
And it is mentioned in the quotation from Uthman that: “An unjust group
will eliminate you, the killer of Ammar is in Hell.”
This tradition is narrated through so many channels that is much above the
level of wide narrated (Tawatur).11
It is mentioned in Al-Istiab: Widely narrated (Mutawatir) reports are quoted
from Prophet that an unjust group will slay Ammar; and this was from the unseen
news and signs of prophethood of His Eminence and among most authentic
traditions.