Hisham bin Urwah narrates from his father, and he from Marwan, I do not think that he is blameworthy in our view, he said that in the year 31 Hijri, which is called the Year of Nosebleed (Sanat al-Ru'af), in that year, Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) had nosebleeds, and he had such frequent nosebleeds that he could not even go for Hajj, and when he feared death, he made a will for after him. A Qurayshi man came to his service and asked: Has anyone been appointed as Caliph after you? Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) asked: Do people talk about such things? He said: Yes. He asked: Who is it, that is, who has been appointed as Caliph? He remained silent. Then another man came and he also said the same thing as the first man, and he gave him the same answer. Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Do people mention Zubair (may Allah be pleased with him) as being made Caliph? He said: Yes. He said: By Him in Whose hand is my soul! To my knowledge, he is the most virtuous and was the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).