ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Biography of Imam `alĪ Ibn AbĪ-tĀlib Al-walid Ibn `uqbah Al-Walid was born to Arwa bint Kurayz. His father was `Uqbah ibn Abi-Mu`it. He was `Uthman’s half brother through his mother. `Uqbah was also in the forefront of fighting against the Muslims. The Muslims took him captive, produced before the Prophet (a.s), and was executed under the command of the Prophet (a.s). Al-Walid and his brother `Amarah embraced Islam after the conquest of Makkah.

This change was not because of any conviction, but the circumstances forced them to capitulate. When the Prophet (a.s) selected different persons for the duty of collection of zakat and sadaqah , al-Walid was deputed to the tribe of Banul-Mustalaq. When he reached near those hamlets, the people came out in numbers to welcome him. When he saw them advancing, he ran away thinking that they had recanted from the Faith and were coming to attack him.

He went to the Prophet (a.s) and told him that the Banul-Mustalaq had recanted and were refusing to pay the zakat . The Prophet (a.s) expressed surprise at this report and wanted to take steps to reprimand and punish them. When Banul-Mustalaq heard about this, they came to the presence of the Prophet (a.s) and said, “O Prophet of Allah (a.s)! You have received a wrong report about us!

We have neither recanted from the Faith nor have we refused to pay the zakat .” In this regard, the following Verse was revealed: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ. “O you who believe! If an evildoer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done.

(49/6)” Once he told `Ali (a.s) that he was no less than him in the martial skill of swordsmanship and combating. The Imam (a.s) said, “Be quiet! You impious liar!” At that time, the following Verse was revealed: أَفَمَنْ كَانَ مُؤْمِنًا كَمَنْ كَانَ فَاسِقًا لَا يَسْتَوُونَ. “Is he then who is a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not equal.

(32/18)” Ibn `Abbas says, “This Verse was revealed about `Ali ibn Abi-Talib (a.s) and al-Walid ibn `Uqbah.”[1] In both the Verses al-Walid is termed as impious. Then in all meetings and groups, people called him fasiq . Until the time the Holy Qur’an is recited he will be remembered with this title.

✦ ✦ ✦