THE SELECTION OF OTHMAN IBN AFFÂN AS A CALIPH AND THE NEUTRALITY OF ELECTORAL COUNCIL

When Second Caliphate Umar b. al- Khattâb was assassinated by Abû Lu’lu’ah in 644 in Medinah City, it was suggested to him that he should appoint a successor.He didn’t want to take on borden of the caliphate. At the same time he suggested an electoral council that consisted of six persons. Later he nominated the members of electoral council and told them to choose a successor from among themselves.After the death of the caliph, the members of the electoral council were allegedly given three days to make a choice. The members of electoral council met after the death of the caliph but they didn’t choose a successor from among themselves. The while Abd al-Rahmân b. Awf suggested to withdraw from the competition and to be the president of council himself. His offer was accepted by other members. The election was between Ali and Othman. Finally Muhajirun, Ansâr and commmanders from garrison cities assambled in The Mosque of the Prophet. Abd al-Rahmân b. Awf announced Othman ibn Affân as a caliph.Because the selection of third caliphate is a vexed question in İslamic History, thus in this study we will explain the stage of election and the neutrality of electoral council.