It is narrated from Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that once during his final illness, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Call some of my companions to me." I said, "Abu Bakr?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "No." I said, "Umar?" He said, "No." I said, "Umar?" He said, "No." I said, "Shall I call Uthman?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Yes!" When he came, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told me to move away from there and began to speak to him in whispers. During this, the color of Hazrat Uthman's (may Allah be pleased with him) face kept changing. Then, when Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) was besieged on the day of the house, we said to him, "O Leader of the Believers! Why do you not fight?" He replied, "No, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took a covenant from me, and I will remain steadfast upon it."