Surah al-Sajdah
Ayah 18: “Is he then a believer like him who is a transgressor? They are not
equal.”
In this Ayah, the Qur’anic word fasiq-transgressor has been
mentioned versus mumin-believer, and this is an evidence of the fact that the
Arabic word ‘fasiq’ has a vast scope of meaning which encompasses both
infidelity and other sins. Fasiq or
transgressor is the one who violates Islamic Laws.
A group of great commentators concerning this Ayah have
cited that one day Walid bin Utbah bin
Mo’eeth, who was a step-brother of the third caliph Osman, by way of
priding over the Commander of the Faitful, Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “O Ali, you are only a boy and the strength of my youth is
superior to you, I am more than you in the sharpness of the tongue, my lance is
sharper than yours and in the army I am more steadfast than you.” The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali
(a.s.) in reply to the infidel, said: “Be quiet O rebellious one! (O evil-doer)
You are no comparison to me.”
Imam Ali (a.s.) was referring to the fact that he was the
same person that at the time he was collecting alms from the tribe of Bani
al-Mustaliq, when he accused them of being against Islam and Allah rejected him and called him an
evil-doer in Surah al-Hujurat Ayah 6: “O you who believe! If an evil- doer
comes to you with important news, verify it, lest you should harm people in
ignorance (out of haste and making decision), and after wards you become
regretful for what you have done.”
The back-ground of this Ayah was that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) had
sent Walid to collect alms-tax from the tribe of Banu Mustaliq. The people of
Banu Mustaliq when heard that a representative of the Messenger of Allah was
coming, they intended to welcome him. Upon seeing them, Walid was afraid and
thought that they were about to kill him. He returned to Madinah and informed
the Messenger that they failed to pay the alms-tax and intended to take his
life. The Messenger became sad. Before the Messenger would take any action,
Banu Mustaliq representatives came to the Messenger and explained in detail as
to what had transpired and paid the alms-tax.
The third caliph
Usman ibn Iffan, had appointed Walid bin Utbah as the governor of Kufa. Once at
the morning prayer, he was so much drunk that instead of two ‘Rak’ats’ (units)
of the morning prayer, he offered four ‘Rak’ats and turning to those in the ranks behind him, said: “I am
happy now. Tell me, if you want I shall increase the ‘Rak’ats’. (In Islam, morning
prayers are only two rakats!). At yet another time, while leading the prayers,
Walid threw-up and the smell of wine spread in the mosque. When the matter was
reported to the caliph Osman, he consulted the Commander of the Faithful Imam
Ali (a.s.), he suggested to punish the transgressor of the Law of God with
eighty stripes. Remembering the event, Walid bin Utbah never paid allegiance to
Imam Ali (a.s.) even when Imam Ali (a.s.) accepted the Khilafat after Osman.
The famous poet of
Islam, Hassan bin Thabit, compiled the following verses:
1.
Anzalal kitabal Aziza Fi Aliyn Wa Fi Walide
Qirana
2.
Fatabawwal Walidu Min Zaka Faseqan Wa Aliyun
Mubawwa Imina
3.
Laisa Man Kana Mo’menan Arafallahu Kaman Kana
Faseqan Khawwana
4.
Saufa Yujzial Walidu Hazanan Wa Naran Wa Aliyun
La Shakka Yujziya Janana
5.
Fa Aliyun Ladal Arshe Azzan Wa Walidun Yalqa
Hunaka Hawana
English Translation:
1. Divine revelation was descended about
(Imam) Ali and Walid simultaneously.
2. Walid was mentioned by his transgression
while Imam Ali (a.s.) was mentioned for belief and faith.
3. A man who is believer and pious cannot be
like a transgressor.
4. Walid will soon be punished by Fire and
verily (Imam ) Ali will be rewarded the highest place in Paradise.
5. (Imam ) Ali will have respectable place
near the Divine Throne (Arsh) and Walid will meet disgrace.
Sources used:
The Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (Urdu)
by Ayatollah Nasir Makarem Shirazi
The Translation of the Glorious Qur’an (English) by Ayatollah Agha H.M.M.Pooya Yazdi
Enlightening Commentary of the Light of Qur’an
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