*READING TIME..*
ARTICLE-43
*DURING THIS QUARANTINE TIME,*
*LETS STAY HOME AND BE SAFE AND DO SOME QUALITY READING TO INCREASE OUR KNOWLEDGE….*
*AL-WALEED IBN UQBAH (R.A)*
*THE SAHABI WHO LIVED FOR YEARS*
*WITHOUT A GATE AT HIS HOUSE.*
*Will you ever leave the door or even the gate of your house open?*
Not in a million years, right?
Reasons for family safety and because there had been so many crime cases within the neighbourhood, and that is totally fine, we do understand such situations like that.
This story is quite amazing to the fact that there was no harm that came in his house even though
*It was left open for years.*
His name may not sound familiar as other prominent sahabah, but his character will stand out just like how the other prominent sahabah.
*Al Waleed Ibn ‘Uqbah is the half brother of ‘Uthman Ibn Affan Radiyallahu Anhu through his mother.*
If you know ‘Amr Ibn Al’As Radiyallahu Anhu then you wouldn’t miss out about Al Waleed for the
*Trustworthiness that Abu Bakr Radiyallahu Anhu gave to them were on equal stature.*
Ibn ‘Uqbah was both employed by the Caliphate of both Abu Bakr and ‘Umar
*Who always chose and thoroughly studied the qualifications of their governors.*
Indeed, with the keen study and choices that both the caliphs did pave way to the rapid and
*Large scale spread of Islam.*
Some of his tasks included:
• He was entrusted with secrets in exchange of correspondence between the caliph [Abu Bakr] and his commander Khalid Ibn Al Waleed during the battle of Al Madhar against the Persians in 12 AH.
• He was sent with reinforcements with to his commander ‘Iyad Ibn Ghanam Al Fihri.
• He was sent to the tribe of Qada’ah to collect Zakat in 13 AH.
• He became the governor of the tribe of Taghlib and the Arabs of Al Jazeerah in 15 AH during the reign of ‘Umar.
• He became the governor of Kufah during the reign of ‘Uthman.
These are just brief samples of the tasks he was given, and I would like to highlight his governance during the time of ‘Uthman Ibn Affan as the governor of Kufah.
It was said that for years
*THERE WAS NO GATE AT HIS HOUSE,*
Meaning people would come to see him and deliver their problems hoping solutions from him,
*THIS WAS HOW APPROACHABLE IBN UQBAH WAS TO THE PEOPLE OF KUFAH.*
During the period of his governorship in Kufah, his armies would march to eastern horizons, conquering the land, as was testified in his absence by one of the greatest of Muslim judges that history has ever known in terms of his knowledge, virtue and fairness, the great Tabi’i Imam Al-Sha’bi.
He also said: “If only you had seen Al Waleed and his campaigns and his governorship, for he would go out on campaign and reach such and such place, and he never fell short or was accused of falling short by anyone until he was dismissed from his post.”
Also ‘Uthman said: “I did not appoint Al Waleed because he is my brother, rather I appointed him because he is the son of Umm Hakeem Al Bayda, the paternal aunt of the Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alaihi Wassalaam and the twin sister of his father.”
*Verily, Al Waleed was such one of the most beloved of people to the people and one of the kindest of them.*
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Ma sha Allah there is so much to learn from this man, even though he was given such great task he never hindered people from coming to him and asking him about their concerns and problems, as we see
*HE HAD HIS HOUSE WITHOUT A GATE EMPHASIZING THAT HE CAN BE APPROACHED AT ANYTIME.*
INDEED,
*HE WAS A GOVERNOR OF THE PEOPLE*
*FOR THE PEOPLE 24/7.*
Ma sha Allah.
This attribute of Ibn Uqbah should remind the leaders of Muslim countries about their true description of work, that
*the people are their main concern not themselves, that it is the people that they work for and not the people working for them.*
Such are the likes of great men that even at the period where he reigned as governor of Kufah that danger was laid infront of him as
*There were people who tried to do wrong with him still it didn’t stop him from being very approachable to people.*
It is just a reminder that when you have such position you should be more
*APPROACHABLE,*
Not that when you gained such political position then you enclose yourself with all the body guards and men of the city.
This is a man who walks freely because he has not wronged people, only those who know by themselves that they did wrong would guard themselves in fear that someone might attack them.
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*May this story about Al Waleed Ibn ‘Uqbah remind us all about HUMILITY and SELFLESS SERVICE.*
Aameen
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Stories were taken from:
• Siyar A’lam an Nubala’,3/21
• Fasl Al Khitab fi Mawaqif Al Ashab, Al Gharsi, p. 78
• Tareekh At Tabari, 4/168
• Tareekh At Tabari, 5/28,29
• At Tamheed wa’l Bayan, p. 40
• Tareekh At Tabari, 5/251
• Fasl Al Khitab fi Mawafiq Al Ashab, p. 79
goldenstories ibnUqbah