Third Caliph Of Islam Election

Hazrat Usman's (Radiyallahu Anhu) election as the third Khalifah (Caliph)

Before his death, Hazrat ‘Umar (Radiyallahu Anhu) appointed a panel of six men to select a "Khalifah" from amongst themselves and then sought his approval through Bai'at (Pledge of loyalty) by Muslim Public.
He also instructed them to make the nomination within three days. The panel included Usman,'Ali, Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas, Talha, Zubair and 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf (Ridwanullahi Alaihim ajmaeen) as the members.

The panel could not arrive at any decision even after long meetings. Then, Hazrat 'Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf proposed somebody to withdraw his name in order to decide the matter. When he got no response, he withdrew his own name. The remaining members agreed that he could take a decision. He consulted each member individually except Hazrat Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) who was not present at Medina.
It so happened that Hazrat Usman proposed 'Ali's name and Hazrat 'Ali proposed Usman's name for the post of Khalifah. But Zubair and Sa'd (Radiyallahu Anhu) were more in favour of Hazrat Usman than Hazrat ‘Ali. After more consultations with other companions and thinking over the problem during the third night, Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (Radiyallahu Anhu) gave his decision in the morning of the fourth day in favour of Hazrat Usman (Radiyallahu Anhu)

First of all Hazrat ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf (Radiyallahu Anhu) took Bai'at at the hands of Hazrat Usman and then all the Muslims present in the Mosque followed suit and took Bai'at (pledge of loyalty) at the hands of Hazrat Usman (Radiyallahu Anhu). In this way, Hazrat Usman (Radiyallahu Anhu) was declared to be the third  Khalifah. When Hazrat Talha (Radiyallahu Anhu) returned to Medina, Usman (Radiyallahu Anhu) requested him either to accept the post of "Khalifah" (as he was among the persons proposed by Hazrat ‘Umar for the post) or to acknowledge him as Khalifah by taking Bai'at. Hadrat Talha declined to be the Khalifah and took pledge of loyalty at his hand, saying "How can I object to your being the Khalifah when all the Muslims have agreed upon you."