Al-Walid ibn Uqba

Walid ibn Uqba (Template:Lang-ar) was one of the companions of Muhammad.

Biography

Family

He was the son of Uqbah ibn Abu Mu'ayt, a man who tried to kill Muhammad and finally died as a non-Muslim, and thus the brother of Umm Kulthum bint Uqba. He was also a half-brother of Uthman.

Sa`d ibn Abi-Waqqas, whom `Umar had selected to the Shūra, was deposed from the governorate of al-Kūfah by `Uthman and sent the fasiq al-Walid ibn `Uqbah to replace him. He reached al-Kūfah in the scorching sunlight and went to the house of Sa`d who had no inkling that the person had brought the orders for his dismissal. He pleasantly asked, “What brings you here?” al-Walid said, “I have been appointed the governor of al-Kūfah. I have been instructed to remove you and take charge of the bayt al-mal and the functionaries appointed by you.” Sa`d said, “I am wondering whether you people have become more wise and sagacious or we are the victims of foolishness and stupidity. What is this sudden confusion?” al-Walid said, “With whom this regime kept its faith that it would place faith in you! It is with some in the morning and with someone else in the evening! Do not feel for what you have lost. One day or other it was bound to go!” Sa`d said angrily, “I feel that you people consider this country as a fief left to you by your ancestors! Give whatever you like to any one and snatch away whatever you wish to take!”

Sa`d handed over the emirate of al-Kūfah to al-Walid and came away to al-Madinah. Once in the position of the governor, power went to the head of al-Walid. He started to have parties of drink and dance. Ibn `Abd al-Barr writes:

“Al-Asma`i, Abū-`Ubaydah, Husham ibn al-Kalbi, and others say that al-Walid ibn `Uqbah was impious and an alcoholic.”[2]

One of the chief courtiers of al-Walid was a Christian, by the name of Abū-Zubayd al-ta’i. Al-Walid took a house near the mosque and gave him. He was using the compound of the mosque for his passage. He was seen by people walking through the enclosure of the mosque in a drunken, inebriated condition. They were angry, but afraid of questioning the governor’s friend! Once an incident happened that the people could not control their anger any

[1] Al-Istī`āb, Vol 3, Page 596 [2] Al-Istī`āb, Vol 3, Page 596

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more. What happened was that, in an intoxicated state, al-Walid offered four genuflections instead of two mandated for the Morning Prayer. He told the people that he was in a state of trance that morning. He said that he could make more genuflections if they wished! Instead of reciting the verses, he was repeating the following couplet during the prayer, “The heart is old and the rabab (stringed musical instrument) too is old! But the heart is still stuck in that!”

The people of al-Kūfah were now fed up of al-Walid. They complained to `Uthman and brought witnesses for the alcoholism of al-Walid. `Uthman had no other alternative than of calling him to al-Madinah and punishing him with whipping. In his place Sa`id ibn al-`As was sent as the governor of al-Kūfah. Sa`id ordered the people that al-Walid was using to be cleansed by washing. When Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s) became the caliph, al-Walid moved away to al-Basrah. After some time he moved to al-Riqqah where he died and was buried beside his friend Abū-Zubayd al-ta’i!

See also

• Islam