How can one respond to a Rafidi who cites historical events from Ibn Abd al-Barr’s book "Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat al-Ashab" concerning incidents involving Uthman ibn Hunaif, in order to impugn the justice of the Companions such as Aisha, Talha, and Al-Zubair, decrying their treachery and theft from the public treasury, and their order to kill Uthman ibn Hunaif and then imprison him, all while questioning the Ahl al-Sunnah’s zeal for the Companions, and Aisha’s scholarly and jurisprudential standing in light of these events?

Ahl al-Sunnah (definition) rely on isnad (definition) (chain of narration) for transmission. History books are full of fabricated and reprehensible reports, and this is known by studying the isnad and the matn (text).

Imam Ahmad pointed out that three sciences have no basis: Tafsir (definition) (exegesis), Tareekh (history), and Malahim (epics), due to the abundance of fabricated material within them.

The story of Uthman ibn Hunaif being beaten and having the hair of his face plucked out was narrated by al-Tabari with an isnad that includes Abu Mikhnaf Lut ibn Yahya. He is a worthless reporter who is not trustworthy. Imams such as Abu Hatim, al-Daraqutni, and Ibn Ma'in declared him weak.

Dr. Yahya al-Yahya mentioned that what Abu Mikhnaf reported about Uthman ibn Hunaif being beaten and having the hair of his face plucked out has not been proven through a sound chain of narration. The noble Companions are far removed from such an ugly mutilation.

The narration of Sayf contradicted Abu Mikhnaf's reports, stating that it was the hooligans who did that, and that Talhah and al-Zubayr denounced it. They sent the news to Aisha, who said: "Let him go his way, and let him go wherever he wills."

Al-Dhahabi affirmed that these narrations are reprehensible and are from the narrations of Abu Mikhnaf, the liar.

Slandering the Companions with these reprehensible narrations harms no one but the one who fabricates them. Allah has praised them and exalted their status.