Uthman ibn Affan, also known in English by the Turkish and Persian rendering Osman was a second cousin, son-in-law and notable companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad the third of the Rashidun, or "Rightly Guided Caliphs". Born into a prominent Meccan clan, Banu Umayya of the Quraysh tribe, he played a major role in early Islamic history. When Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab died in office aged 59/60 years, ʿUthmān, aged 64/65 years, succeeded him and was the second-oldest to rule as Caliph.
