Aqil b. Abi Talib: Difference between revisions

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'Aqil was a son of [[Abu Talib b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]]. According to one of his offspring's names, his [[kunya]] was Abu Yazid. Based on reports, he was 20 years older than [[Imam Ali (a)]]. Therefore, his birth had been 10 years after [['Am al-Fil]]. He was a genealogist of Quraysh. 'Aqil was quick at repartees and talked back to his interlocutors whoever they were.

'Aqil reluctantly was present in the army of pagans during the [[Battle of Badr]]. He became captive in this war and his uncle [[al-'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib|al-'Abbas]] paid 4000 dirham as [[fidya]] to set him free.

There are different narrations about the time at which he became Muslim. According to what [[Ibn Qutayba]] believes 'Aqil became Muslim right after his freedom. On the basis of Ibn Hajar's statements, he converted to Islam when Muslims conquered [[Conquest of Mecca|Mecca]]. Yet Ibn Hajar states in the following: Some have said he became Muslim after [[Hudaybiyya peace treaty]] was made, and he migrated to [[Medina]] at the beginning of 8th year of Hijra.

He took part in the [[Battle of Muta]]. According to a narration, he was one of those who did not run away in the [[Battle of Hunayn]].

To share the government treasure (bayt al-mal) among people, he was invited along with two other people to write down people's names based on their status in [['Umar b. al-Khattab]] age.

At the time Imam Ali (a) was governing the Islamic territory and all the Islamic lands treasure was under his control, 'Aqil met him and asked him to pay his debts, stating that he himself was not able to pay them. When Imam Ali (a) learned his debt was 100 thousand dirhams, he said: "I take oath to [[God]] that I cannot afford this much now, wait until I receive my salary, then I will help you as much as I can". 'Aqil asked Imam (a) to lend the money from the government treasure, but Imam Ali (a) refused to do so. Imagining it was money, 'Aqil who was blind, touched the cauterizing-iron which Imam Ali (a) had brought near his hand. Imam Ali (a) replied to his protesting reaction by stating: "You are not able to endure the heat of this peace of iron, so how can I tolerate the burning fire of the hell which is the consequence of violating people's right?"

Some others believe his meeting with Mu'awiya was after Imam Ali (a)'s death. This idea is preferred by [[Ibn Abi l-Hadid]]. The reason of this side is the letter which 'Aqil wrote at the end of Imam Ali (a)'s government and the answer to this letter.

 

It is said that his death occurred during Mu'awiya's government, yet some believe it to be at the beginning of [[Yazid]]'s caliphate, before the [[Battle of Harra]].

Among all his offspring, only Ja'far al-Akbar, Muslim, 'Abd Allah al-Akbar, 'Abd al-Rahman, and Muhammad are [[martyrs of Karbala]]. Some believe that six of 'Aqil's offspring were martyrs beside [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]].

"Damn this age when Dahhak attacked you. Dahhak is an unfortunate mean person. When I learned about these things (pointing to Dahhak's attack and disloyalty of Kufans), I supposed your followers have abandoned you. My mother's son! Write your opinion for me. If you would rather death, I will bring all your brothers and nephews to you. Since we live until you live, and die when you die. I take oath to God that I do not wish to live even a second after you. I take oath to God that our life is unpleasant after you. God bless you."

* The material for this article is mainly taken from [http://fa.wikishia.net/view/%D8%B9%D9%82%DB%8C%D9%84_%D8%A8%D9%86_%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C%E2%80%8C%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8 {{ia|عقیل بن ابی‌طالب}}] in Farsi Wikishia.