Author: Hafiz Muhammad Anwar Zahid (Hafizullah)
It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ sent Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) to destroy the idol of 'Uzza. This idol was located in the area of Nakhlah, which was a place of great reverence for the tribes of Quraish, Kinana, and Mudar. The Banu Sulaim, particularly the Banu Shayban, who were allies of the Banu Hashim, were the caretakers of this idol. When they learned of Khalid ibn al-Walid’s approach, the leader of the caretakers hung his sword at the door of the sanctuary and said: "O 'Uzza! Destroy Khalid and his army with this sword, such that none of them remain alive." He then fled to a mountain. Upon arriving, Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) demolished the idol and its sanctuary, and then returned to the Prophet ﷺ.
Narration Sources:
The narration contains the chain of narrators that includes Walid ibn Jamaa, who is known to be truthful but has been subject to criticism regarding reliability. As such, this narration is considered weak, and there is no authentic report confirming the destruction of the idol of 'Uzza.
It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ sent Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) to destroy the idol of 'Uzza. This idol was located in the area of Nakhlah, which was a place of great reverence for the tribes of Quraish, Kinana, and Mudar. The Banu Sulaim, particularly the Banu Shayban, who were allies of the Banu Hashim, were the caretakers of this idol. When they learned of Khalid ibn al-Walid’s approach, the leader of the caretakers hung his sword at the door of the sanctuary and said: "O 'Uzza! Destroy Khalid and his army with this sword, such that none of them remain alive." He then fled to a mountain. Upon arriving, Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA) demolished the idol and its sanctuary, and then returned to the Prophet ﷺ.
Narration Sources:
- Ibn Hisham, with al-Rawd al-Anf, 203/4
- Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, 145/2
- Tarikh al-Tabari, 65/3
The narration contains the chain of narrators that includes Walid ibn Jamaa, who is known to be truthful but has been subject to criticism regarding reliability. As such, this narration is considered weak, and there is no authentic report confirming the destruction of the idol of 'Uzza.