Surah al-Sajdah Ayah
18: “Is a believer equal to a transgressor? They are not equal at all.”
It is recorded by
both Sunni and Shia commentators that Walid bin Utbah, who was the step-brother
of the third caliph, Usman bin Iffan, once by way of boasting over the
Infallible Commander of the Faithful 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 tongue, my lance is sharper than your and in the army I am more
steadfast than you.”
Imam Ali (a.s.) in
reply to the infidel said:”Be quiet O’ rebellious one! You are no comparison to
me.” Allah (s.w.t.), to set the record in order, revealed the above-mentioned
Ayah.
Walid bin Utbah’s transgression was already established in
Surah al-Hujarat Ayah 6: “Believers, if one who publicly commits sins brings
you any news, ascertain its truthfulness carefully, lest you harm people
through ignorance and then regret what you have done.”
A “Fasiq” is the one
who openly commits sins. English equivalent of Fasiq is Transgressor or
evil-doer.
When Usman bin Iffan
became the third caliph, he appointed his step-brother Walid bin Utbah as the
Governor of Kufa, and 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 the Muslims in the ranks behind him , said “I am happy
now. Tell me, if you want I shall increase the ‘Rak’ats’. When this matter was
reported to the caliph Usman, he consulted the Commander of the Faithful, Imam
Ali (a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.) 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 Usman.
Sources used:
The Glorious Qur’an (English Translation) by Ayatollah Agha
H.M.M. Pooya Yazdi
The Glorious Qur’an (Urdu Translation) by Ayatollah Nasir
Makarem Shirazi
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