Narrated Ubaidullah bin Adi bin Al-Khiyar (RA):
That Al-Miswar bin Makhrama and Abdur-Rahman bin Al-Aswad bin Abu Yaghuth had said to him, "What prevents you from speaking to your uncle Uthman regarding his brother Al-Walid bin Uqba?" The people were speaking against the latter for what he had done. Ubaidullah said, "So I kept waiting for Uthman, and when he went out for the prayer, I said to him, I have got something to say to you as a piece of advice. Uthman said, O man! I seek Refuge with Allah from you. So I went away. When I finished my prayer, I sat with Al-Miswar and Ibn Abu Yaghuth and talked to both of them of what I had said to Uthman and what he had said to me. They said, You have done your duty. So while I was sitting with them. Uthmans Messenger came to me. They said, Allah has put you to trial." I set out and when I reached Uthman, he said, What is your advice which you mentioned a while ago? I recited Tashahhud and added, Allah has sent Muhammad and has revealed the Holy Book (i.e. Quran) to him. You (O Uthman!) were amongst those who responded to the call of Allah and His Apostle ﷺ and had faith in him. And you took part in the first two migrations (to Ethiopia and to Medina), and you enjoyed the company of Allahs Apostle ﷺ and learned his traditions and advice. Now the people are talking much about Al-Walid bin Uqba and so it is your duty to impose on him the legal punishment. Uthman then said to me, O my nephew! Did you ever meet Allahs Apostle ﷺ ? I said, No, but his knowledge has reached me as it has reached the virgin in her seclusion. Uthman then recited Tashahhud and said, No doubt, Allah has sent Muhammad with the Truth and has revealed to him His Holy Book (i.e. Quran) and I was amongst those who responded to the call of Allah and His Apostle ﷺ and I had faith in Muhammads Mission, and I had performed the first two migrations as you have said, and I enjoyed the company of Allahs Apostle ﷺ and gave the pledge of allegiance to him. By Allah, I never disobeyed him and never cheated him till Allah caused him to die. Then Allah made Abu Bakr (RA) Caliph, and by Allah, I was never disobedient to him, nor did I cheat him. Then Umar became Caliph, and by Allah, I was never disobedient to him, nor did I cheat him. Then I became Caliph. Have I not then the same rights over you as they had over me? I replied in the affirmative. Uthman further said, The what are these talks which are reaching me from you? As for what you ha mentioned about Al-Walid bin Uqb; Allah willing, I shall give him the leg; punishment justly. Then Uthman ordered that Al-Walid be flogged fort lashes. He ordered Ali to flog him an he himself flogged him as well."