The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

428 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
0 'Azz, if you don't kill that man, Khdid, then you
will meet swift punishment or convert to Islam!'
"When Khzlid reached there he destroyed it, then returned to the Messenger of
God (SAAS)."
Al-Wzqidi and others related that when he arrived there, it was five days prior
to the end of Ramadzn. Having smashed it, he returned and reported to the
Messenger of God (SAAS), who asked him, "And what was it you saw?" "I saw
nothing," he replied. The Messenger of God (SAAS) then sent him back and
when he arrived there he saw a black female emerge from the temple, her hair
dishevelled and waiting. He then put her to the sword and spoke the verse,
'0 'Uzza, and such is for disbelief, and not glorifying
God; I see that God has indeed disgraced you.'
He then went on to lay waste to that temple in which she had been. He also
confiscated the valuables inside it, may God be pleased with him and give him
pleasure. He then returned and informed the Messenger of God (SAAS), who
said, 'That was al-'Uzzn; she'll not be worshipped again."'
Al-Bayhaqi stated that the jurist Mumad h. Abii Bakr informed him,
quoting Muhammad b. Aha Jacfar, quoting Ahmad h. 'Ah, quoting Abii Kurayb,
from Ibn Fudayl, from al-Wali b. JamiC, from Aha al-Tufayl, who said, "When
the Messenger of God (SAAS) had conquered Mecca, he sent Khxlid b. al-Walid
out to al-Nakhla, where al-Wzzn was. It consisted of a shrine positioned above
three acacia trees. He cut down the trees and destroyed the shrine and returned
and reported to the Messenger of God (SAAS), hut he told him, "Go back; you
have done nothing."
Khaid did so and when the temple guardians saw him they hurried off up into
the mountain, saying,
"0 WZZZ, cut him down! 0 'Uzzn, disgrace him! If you
don't, you'll have to die!"
When Khxlid reached there he found a naked female with dishevelled hair piling
dirt over her head and face. He put her to the sword and killed her, then returned
and reported to the Prophet (SAAS), who commented, "Yes, that was al-Wza."
Chapter: On the period spent by the Messenger of God (MS) in Mecca.
There is no dispute over his having remained for the rest of Ramdzn, shortening
the prayers and breahing the fast. This is used by some scholars to substantiate
their view that travellers who do not resolve upon remaining may shorten the
prayers and fast for 18 days, according to one view. According to the other, it is
determined by the place where he is.
Al-Bukhai stated that Abii Nu'aym related to him, quoting Sufym, quoting
Qabisa, quoting Sufyxn, from Yahyz b. Abii Ishaq, from Anas b. Mdik, who