Election of Uthman

Election of Uthman
	The election of Uthman, from Balami's Tarikhnama
Date	November 644
Location	Medina, Rashidun Caliphate
Participants	Uthman ibn Affan; Ali ibn Abi Talib; Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf; Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas; Zubayr ibn al-Awwam; Talha ibn Ubaydallah;
Outcome	Uthman became caliph

The Election of Uthman refers to the appointment of Uthman ibn Affan as the third caliph by a committee (shura), which was assembled by the dying caliph Umar in 23 AH (643-4 CE). The committee likely consisted of six early Muslims from the Quraysh tribe, including the prophet Muhammad's second cousin and son-in-law Uthman and Muhammad's first cousin and son-in-law Ali ibn Abi Talib. The deciding vote was given to Uthman's brother-in-law Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, who appointed the former as the next caliph after the deliberations stalled. The choice of the wealthy Uthman is often explained as intended to guard the interests of the Quraysh and to follow the practices of the first two caliphs, namely, Abu Bakr and Umar. The committee has been criticized for its bias towards Uthman and for its exclusion of the Ansar.

The election of Uthman, from Balami's Tarikhnama
Date	November 644
Location	Medina, Rashidun Caliphate
Participants	Uthman ibn Affan Ali ibn Abi Talib Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas Zubayr ibn al-Awwam Talha ibn Ubaydallah
Outcome	Uthman became caliph