Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) then explained:
As for Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) fleeing during the Battle of Uhud, I bear witness that Allah Ta‘ala pardoned him and forgave him, together with the other Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) that fled during the Battle of Uhud (as Allah Ta‘ala declared forgiveness in the Qur’aan Majeed for all those who fled during the Battle of Uhud).
As for Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) not participating in the Battle of Badr, then the reason is that he was married to the respected daughter of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and she was ill. Hence, Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) remained behind on the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) so that he could attend to her and nurse her. Thus Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “You will receive the reward of the one who participated in Badr and you will also receive a share in the booty.”
As for Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) being absent during the Bay‘ah of Ridwaan, then the reason is that there was no person who was more honored in the sight of the people of Makkah Mukarramah then Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Hence, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sent him to speak to the people of Makkah (and inform them that the Muslims had only come to perform ‘umrah and had not come to fight). Had anyone been more honored than Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would have sent that person instead of him. The Bay‘ah of Ridwaan only took place after Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went to Makkah on the instruction of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (as the rumor had spread that the people of Makkah had killed Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)). Since Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was not present for the bay‘ah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) gestured with his own blessed right hand saying, “This is the hand of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then placed his blessed right hand on his left hand and pledged allegiance on behalf of Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) then addressed the man and said, “Go, and take these answers to your objections against Hazrat ‘Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) so that you do not harbor ill feelings against him.”
(Saheeh Bukhaari #3698)