Musnad Ahmad — Hadith #44942

Affan told us, Hammad bin Zaid told us, Yahya bin Saeed told us, on the authority of Abu Umamah bin Sahl, he said: I was with Uthman, may God be pleased with him. In the house while he was confined, he said, “We were entering an entrance, and when we entered it, we heard the words of those at the court.” He said, “One day Uthman entered.” Out of need, he came out to us, wearing his dark complexion, and said, “They are threatening to kill me just now.” He said, “We said, ‘May God suffice them for you, O Commander of the Faithful.’” He said, “Why are they killing me? For I heard the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, saying that it is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim except in One of three men who disbelieved after his conversion to Islam, or committed adultery after being married to him, or killed a soul for other than a soul. By God, I did not commit adultery during ignorance, nor Islam, and I have never wished for anything in exchange for my religion since God Almighty has guided me, nor have I killed a soul, so why are they killing me?