"If a Wicked Person Brings You News Verify It" — The Report of Al-Walid ibn Uqbah
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إِن جَآءَكُمۡ فَاسِقٌۢ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓاْ
— الحجرات 6
Verse: "If a wicked person brings you news, verify it." (49:6)
Occasion (Hasan): Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi narrated from Al-Harith ibn Dirar Al-Khuza'i: The Prophet ﷺ sent Al-Walid ibn Uqbah to collect charity from Banu Al-Mustaliq. They came out to welcome him but he fled thinking they wanted to kill him, then told the Prophet they had apostatized and refused zakat. The Prophet was about to send an army — then this verse was revealed commanding verification.
Authenticity: Hasan (Al-Tirmidhi)
Source: Musnad Ahmad; Sunan Al-Tirmidhi; Lubab Al-Nuqul
Question: Who is the "wicked person" referred to in the verification verse in Al-Hujurat?
Answer: Said to be Al-Walid ibn Uqbah — he told the Prophet what he hadn't verified, nearly leading to an unjust war.