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Walid II

Walid ibn Yazid
الوليد بن يزيد بن عبدالملك بن مروان بن الحكم بن أبي العاص بن أمية القرشي الخندفي المضري الأعرابي
(أمير المؤمنين أبي العباس الوليد بن يزيد الأموي القرشي العبشمي (رحمه الله.png
Caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate
Reign 6 February 743 – 17 April 744
Predecessor Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik
Successor Yazid ibn al-Walid
Born 709
Died 17 April 744 (aged 35)
Full name
Walid ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik
Dynasty Umayyad, Marwanid branch
Father Yazid bin Abd al-Malik
Full name
Walid ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik

Walid ibn Yazid or Walid II (709 – 17 April 744) (Arabic: الوليد بن يزيد‎‎) was an Umayyad caliph who ruled from 743 until 744. He succeeded his uncle, Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik.

As al-Walid grew older, Hisham became displeased with him and urged him to step aside in favour of Hisham's son. Hisham spoke to al-Walid about his drinking and dissolute life. The caliph commanded al-Walid to send away his best drinking companion. He also cut off funds to his heir and strongly encouraged him to be more respectful in religious matters.

Al-Walid succeeded to the throne on the death of Hisham on 6 February 743. As heir, al-Walid was known for his open-handedness. As caliph, he took special care of the crippled and blind, increasing their stipend. He named his two sons, al-Hakam and Uthman, to succeed him in that order as documented by a letter dated 21 May 743 in al-Tabari Tabari also quotes a number of al-Walid's poems.

Al-Walid at first confirmed Nasr ibn Sayyar as governor of Khurasan. However, bribed by Yusuf ibn Umar, the caliph dismissed him. Al-Walid appointed his uncle Yusuf ibn Muhammad governor of Medina. At the same time, Yahya ibn Zayd, the son of Zayd ibn Ali, was found in Khurasan. Nasr urged him to present himself to the caliph, to maintain Islamic unity. However, Yahya chose another path and after initial victory was slain.

Al-Walid put Sulayman ibn Hisham in prison. Such a deed, as well as his reputed drinking, singing and immorality aroused opposition. Al-Walid was fond of versifying and he arranged horse races. The upright Yazid ibn al-Walid spoke against the new ruler's moral laxity. A group began plotting his assassination. When approached, Khalid ibn Abdallah al-Qasri declined to join in and even cautioned al-Walid. However, his vague warning aroused al-Walid's ire. He imprisoned Khalid and then gave him to Yusuf ibn Umar for fifty million dirhams. Yusuf tortured and killed Khalid. This intensely angered many of al-Walid's own relatives.


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