Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith 63 – Volume 5, Book 57

English

Volume 5, Book 57, Number 63:
Narrated Marwan bin Al-Hakam:
'Uthman bin 'Affan was afflicted with severe nose-bleeding in the year when such illness was
prevelant and that prevented him from performing Hajj, and (because of it) he made his will. A man
from Quraish came to him and said, "Appoint your successor." 'Uthman asked, "Did the people name
him? (i.e. the successor) the man said, "Yes." Uthman asked, "Who is that?" The man remained silent.
Another man came to 'Uthman and I think it was Al-Harith. He also said, "Appoint your successor."
'Uthman asked, "Did the people name him?" The man replied "Yes." 'Uthman said, "Who is that?" The
man remained silent. 'Uthman said, "Perhaps they have mentioned Az-Zubair?" The man said, "Yes."
'Uthman said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, he is the best of them as I know, and the dearest of
them to Allah's Apostle ."