They also had their arms with them and so also the amount of Zakat.

They also had their arms with them and so also the amount of Zakat. They advanced towards Medina. On the other side, the Holy Prophet also sent a so-called Muslim named Walid bin Uqbah from among the apparent Muslims (a brother of Uthman from maternal side). He was looking like a Muslim from outside but his inside was not yet enlightened. (God disgraced him afterwards).

The Holy Prophet said, “Walid may go to the tribe of Bani Mustaliq with some people, take Zakat from them and come back.” So Walid moved along with some men. As he neared the tribe, he saw from a distance that Harith with some men of his tribe was coming towards Medina. Walid had come to collect Zakat. But he saw that they themselves were coming. By the way, before Islam, Walid had fought with this tribe of Bani Mustaliq. So he had a hatred and enmity towards this tribe in his heart.

When he saw that they were moving towards Medina, this transgressor (in the words of Qur’an), with an intention of taking revenge of the past, hastily went back to Medina. In order to cool his internal anger, he told three lies in Medina. Firstly he said, “O Prophet of God! They have forsaken Islam.” Two: They refuse to pay Zakat and three: They intend to kill me. So the Holy Prophet may send an army to finish them off. Usually in other cases this word would have been accepted.

Troops would have marched; killing, plundering and arresting them. But the Holy Prophet is the one about whom God in Qur’an says: ﴿وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنْ الْهَوَى. إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ وَحْيٌ يُوحَى﴾ “Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed…” [^1] So he waited for God’s revelation to see what the command of God was, but for so-called Muslims, trouble, killing and blood shedding is easier. So some of them also light a fire saying what Walid has said is true.

They said, “O Prophet of God! Walid tells the truth. Please send the troops soon.” They moved on and started fighting, killing them, captured their women and children, looted their property as war booty. The Holy Prophet is still waiting for God’s revelation. Then came down these verses from God. This is written both by the Sunnis and Shias in their books. What is stranger is that the Sunnis also accept it but anyhow, Walid was a brother of Uthman!

Eternal discredit for Uthman The absolute transgressor Walid is the cursed one whom Uthman made the governor of Basra during his caliphate. He disregarded the fact that Qur’an has called him a transgressor.