Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Al-Walid I/archive1
- The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.
The article was promoted by Hog Farm via FACBot (talk) 6 May 2023 [1].
Al-Walid I edit
This article is about the sixth Umayyad caliph, al-Walid I, whose decade-long reign represented the zenith of Umayyad power and prosperity, though his direct role in its successes is unclear. His reign is often deemed by historians to be the fruit of his father and predecessor, Abd al-Malik's, long, hard work. Started editing this article in Feb 2019, it passed GAN in July of that year, and I have been working on it periodically since. I believe it is finally ready for FA consideration. Al Ameer (talk) 03:52, 25 March 2023 (UTC)
Image review edit
- Some images are missing alt text
- File:Gold_dinar_of_al-Walid_707-708_CE.jpg is missing a US tag for the coin
- File:Coin_minted_during_the_reign_of_al-Walid_I_ibn_'Abd_al-Malik_in_Istakhr.jpg is missing tagging for the original work.
- Ditto File:Syria,_Damascus,_The_Umayyad_Mosque.jpg
- File:Arabische_Eroberung_2.jpg: see MOS:COLOUR. Nikkimaria (talk) 04:02, 25 March 2023 (UTC)
- A new and improved map is being tackled by Amitchell125 which should hopefully comply with this guideline. Al Ameer (talk) 03:21, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
- Hi Al Ameer, do we have updates on the outstanding points? Cheers, Ian Rose (talk) 17:47, 23 April 2023 (UTC)
- @Ian Rose: With regard to File:Syria,_Damascus,_The_Umayyad_Mosque.jpg, I believe the licensing should be satisfactory per the three-way discussion between Nikkimaria, the author/uploader Argenberg and myself at the uploader's talk page even though there was no definitive 'resolution'. As for the map, Amitchell125 has produced the alternative File:The Empire of the Abbasid Caliphte to 945 1.4.svg but it is still pending some adjustments before we could add it to the article (Nikki's input is also welcome here). Until then, I see no problem removing the existing map to ensure that the article meets the FAC criteria for images. Al Ameer (talk) 20:46, 27 April 2023 (UTC)
- Unfortunately the no-resolution situation will also impact passing. Nikkimaria (talk) 23:50, 27 April 2023 (UTC)
- Thanks Nikkimaria. Being that there is no satisfactory resolution, I have opted to replace the image with File:CSC 0190 (5300274180).jpg. Please let me know if this image meets the criteria. Al Ameer (talk) 01:37, 28 April 2023 (UTC)
- Yes. Nikkimaria (talk) 01:41, 28 April 2023 (UTC)
CommentsSupport by Borsoka
edit
Indicate the years when Marwan I reigned.
...he gradually restored the dynasty's rule in Syria and Egypt Could the sentence be more specific instead of using "gradually" (for i{xtnstance, "by the end of his reign" or "by [year]/by around [year]")?
...with its eastern dependencies... Consider specifying the territories or deleting the uninformative text.
Do we know why he abandoned speaking the classical Arabic?
Unlike his father, al-Walid heavily depended on al-Hajjaj... vs Al-Hajjaj's prominence was such that he is discussed more frequently in the medieval Muslim sources than al-Walid or Abd al-Malik... Contradiction?
...a desire to install one of his own loyalists, his katib (scribe), Qurra ibn Sharik of the Banu Abs Perhpas "to install his loyal katib (scribe), Qurra ibn Sharik of the Banu Abs"?
...the mistreatment of Medina's pious residents by Abd al-Malik's appointed governor to the Hejaz, Hisham ibn Isma'il al-Makhzumi Only the pious residents were mistreated? If yes, how or why?
- Will look into this further and elaborate. From memory, he persecuted pious men like Sa'id ibn al-Musayyib who criticized the Umayyad caliphs, etc.
"The Qaysi" or "the Qays"?
Who are Blankinship and Hawting?
Indicate the years when Yazid III, Yazdegerd III, al-Walid II, Ibrahim reigned.Borsoka (talk) 16:42, 26 March 2023 (UTC)
Why al-Walid instead of Al-Walid at the beginning of the first sentence of the lead?
- This change was introduced by Apaugasma with the reasoning that the introductory sentence is not a full sentence, hence the Arabic article should be lowercased per MoS Arabic. While I am not sure I agree, I want to give Apaugasma the opportunity to weigh in. Al Ameer (talk) 03:29, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- I was being a bit overenthusiastic there. While al- should only be capitalized at the beginning of a full sentence (so not in titles or wherever there is not a full sentence with subject and verb), this of course is a full sentence and we'd probably better be consistent with this.
- Arabists usually go out of their way to not start a sentence with al- because upper case Al- looks jarring, and the rule of 'only at the start of a full sentence' is actually more a corollary of 'avoid wherever possible'. With all the bold and the introductory parentheticals in the lead sentence one might read the al- here rather as part of a lemma than as part of an actual sentence, which might justify the use of lower case. But as I said, it's probably better to be consistent, so I went ahead and changed it. ☿ Apaugasma (talk ☉) 13:27, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Thank you for the explanation Apaugasma and restoring the previous version in the meantime. It might be something to raise at MoS Arabic as well (unless you have already and I missed it). Al Ameer (talk) 16:53, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- WP:MOSAR currently has "Al-" and its variants (ash-, ad-, ar-, etc.) are always written in lower case, also when forming part of proper nouns, except when beginning a sentence. I think that's a good rule to just follow consistently, and I was wrong to try and make an exception to it, even though some RS might do precisely that (see for example [2], where the title (including the lower case al-) is 'reused' as the first word of the lead, even though the convention in EI2 is to make the opening line only render the subject without any predicate, so it's not actually a full sentence). On WP, it's more important to have something consistent and simple to follow for everyone.
- The guideline is tucked away a bit and not formulated in the clearest way, but then the Arabic MoS in general still needs a lot of work. Existing WP practices need to be more fully described, and some of these practices also need to be streamlined better with common practice in RS. All of that then needs to be explained in simpler and clearer instructions. There's a lot to do there, but I think that there are just not enough editors interested in this. In part we also suffer from a lack of editors who are properly familiar with RS in the field of Arabic and Islamic studies, so in a way I'm actually glad that editors with little expertise stay away from creating a strict MoS. It would easily end up enforcing all kinds of things not common in RS at all or downright contrary to common practice in RS. When we get more editors with experience in the field, things will naturally evolve from there. ☿ Apaugasma (talk ☉) 22:20, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Thank you for the explanation Apaugasma and restoring the previous version in the meantime. It might be something to raise at MoS Arabic as well (unless you have already and I missed it). Al Ameer (talk) 16:53, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- This change was introduced by Apaugasma with the reasoning that the introductory sentence is not a full sentence, hence the Arabic article should be lowercased per MoS Arabic. While I am not sure I agree, I want to give Apaugasma the opportunity to weigh in. Al Ameer (talk) 03:29, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
Introduce Musa ibn Nusayr as al-Walid's governor in North Africa in the lead.
The al-Aqsa is attributed to his father by some sources, according to the main text.
When did his reign end? The infobox says that 25 January or 11 March although he is said to have died on 23 February.
- Fixed, might add a footnote about different authorities' dating of his death. Al Ameer (talk) 03:29, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Yes, at least a footnote is necessery if the date of his death is uncertain. Borsoka (talk) 16:58, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Appears I had a footnote about alternative death dates; I modified it and moved it to the infobox; let me know if better here or in the first sentence of the lead instead.
The infobox says that he was buried in Bab al-Saghir, while the main text mentions an other possible place of burial as well.
Wallada bint al-Abbas ibn al-Jaz (main text) or Wallāda bint al-ʿAbbās ibn al-Jazʾ al-ʿAbsīyya (infobox)?Borsoka (talk) 03:38, 28 March 2023 (UTC)
Feel free to revert my two minor edits if you disagree them. Borsoka (talk) 16:58, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Thanks Borsoka. I reverted one of them, the separation of 'Patronage of great mosques' from 'Public works and social welfare' because these two (public works and congregational mosque patronage) are closely linked, the mosque-building being an especially notable part of the larger program of caliphal-driven public works. Al Ameer (talk) 19:16, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
"See also: Qays–Yaman rivalry" should be moved to section "Balancing tribal factions" from section "Provincial affairs".
...which set "a dangerous precedent with de-stabilizing consequences in the future"... Could it be explained, perhaps with examples, in a footnote?Borsoka (talk) 17:00, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
I understand the claim that Yazid III's mother was the daughter of a Sasanian prince is verified only by a primary source.
- I added secondary sources to back this—the claim, in any case, is traced back to al-Tabari. Another old source, al-Ya'qubi gives a slightly different name, Shafarand instead of Shah-i-Afrid and a different grandfather; but the secondary sources prefer Tabari's version. Al Ameer (talk) 03:29, 1 April 2023 (UTC)
I understand the sentence about his summer 696 campaign is verified only by a primary source.
- Somewhat. I specified in the citation that this information is from a footnote so the author in this case would be the editor Everett Rowson rather than Tabari. The footnote discusses what other primary sources mention about al-Walid's summer raids in 77 AH (696) and 78 AH (697). Al Ameer (talk) 03:29, 1 April 2023 (UTC)
All but one of my concerns were addressed and the map is not worse than maps placed in many other FAs so I support the article's promotion. Thank you for this interesting and comprehensive article. Borsoka (talk) 06:19, 2 April 2023 (UTC)
Funk edit
- The German map stands out as a bit of an oddity, due to the language and because it cuts out part of the Maghreb. Are there any English, less cropped alternatives?
- To my knowledge, no and we sorely need such a new map showing the expansion phases as this one does, but in English and perhaps with a little less detail. This is not a satisfactory answer, but I am not sure how soon such a map can be created. Will bring it up to the Lab tomorrow or so to see if someone will take it up. Al Ameer (talk) 03:33, 29 March 2023 (UTC)
- Link ethnic groups like Arabs, Berbers, etc.?
- "and replacing Greek and Persian" Link these languages?
- "These policies effected the gradual transition of Arabic as the sole official language of the state" I wonder if Arabization should be linked anywhere in this article?
- "Umar had Hisham publicly humiliated" Do we know how?
- "and the historian Khalid Yahya Blankinship notes that the army of Damascus, numbering some 45,000 soldiers, were taxed a quarter of their salaries for nine years to pay for its construction." If this is a fact, and not an opinion/interpretation, why does it have to be attributed to a particular historian?
- "Aphrodito Papryi" Papyri?
- Any other interesting buildings he sponsored or similar that can be shown in the latter part of the article, which looks a bit empty?
- I had pictures of the Aqsa Mosque and the Mosque of Medina, but since these both look totally different than al-Walid's constructions (unlike the Damascus mosque), I just opted to remove them. Currently looking for an image of the unfinished Umayyad palace/administrative structure built on the southern wall of the Temple Mount. These are attributed to al-Walid and have essentially remained unchanged since. Al Ameer (talk) 16:38, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
- Support - looks good, and the Temple Mount structure sounds interesting, perhaps there's something unidentified on Commons or Flickr, I'd be happy to help in the search if I can get pointers as to what to look for. FunkMonk (talk) 16:51, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
- Thanks for the review and support FunkMonk. Figured to look in the Commons Category of Southern Wall, Jerusalem and its subcat, Southwestern corner of the Temple Mount, which contain photos of the excavated site of the unfinished Umayyad govt palace (dar al-imara) and associated structures. These 4 images, File:Jerusalem (31981248672).jpg, File:Aechaeological park - panoramio.jpg, File:הגן הארכאולוגי ירושלים.jpg and File:Jerusalem SWCornerTempleMount J84v c.jpg are the best I’ve come across so far (all with the benefit of the Aqsa Mosque being in the backdrop). Let me know if you have a preference for any of these or others. Al Ameer (talk) 05:03, 9 April 2023 (UTC)
Support by Cplakidas edit
Reserving a spot here. Constantine ✍ 06:09, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
upon the viceroy's direction 'recommendation', perhaps? Al-Hajjaj was powerful, but Walid still formally ruled.
renewal of the Muslim conquests link to early Muslim conquests here rather than further down? The article does not deal with the earliest conquests, but until the end of the Umayyad period.
the caliphate's domestic front possibly unclear what is meant here. What front?
- During the second half of his reign 'al-Walid's reign' for clarity
In the 'Eastern frontiers' section it might be useful to add that leaving the local rulers in power would eventually lead to a near collapse of Umayyad power in the next decades.
- In the 'Byzantine front' section, it might be worthwhile to note that the frontier achieved under al-Walid solidified as the Arab–Byzantine frontier until the turn of the 9th/10th century, when the Byzantine reconquest began.
- Had trouble locating a source that supports this. Can you provide one? Al Ameer (talk) 17:22, 10 April 2023 (UTC)
- For the Umayyad period specifically, Blankinship 1994 pp. 117-119, otherwise Kennedy 2004 p. 275, Whittow, The Making of Byzantium, 600-1025, pp. 212–213 might be of help. Constantine ✍ 14:16, 23 April 2023 (UTC)
- Thanks; my only concern is whether or not the frontier was achieved under al-Walid specifically. I was not able to find support for that in these sources either. Please let me know if I missed something. Al Ameer (talk) 18:19, 29 April 2023 (UTC)
- @Al Ameer son: Well the conquest of Cilicia was under al-Walid, and that was the end of Arab expansion. I couldn't find it in so many words, but we are allowed to make educated inferences when the sources speak of the "early 8th century". But it is not terribly important if it doesn't get into the article either. Constantine ✍ 19:09, 29 April 2023 (UTC)
In 709, al-Walid dismissed Abd Allah ... Qurra ibn Sharik of the Banu Abs is too long, suggest splitting up.
central religious importance of Mecca and Medina add why this is (e.g. 'as the birthplace of Islam' or 'as the holy cities of Islam', since you mention them as such later on); many people will not know what you refer to.
The latter was the maternal grandfather who is 'the latter'?
wary of the Hejaz once again developing into a center of anti-Umayyad activity I assume Ibn al-Zubayr's revolt is meant? I would recommend explicitly mentioning it here again.
However, Wellhausen doubts that al-Walid preferred one faction over the other add after Wellhausen's observations that this balancing act would not be maintained by his successors, contributing to the downfall of the Umayyad dynasty.
Aphrodito Papryi link Aphrodito, and a typo here ('Papyri')
During the Third Muslim Civil War is it not more correct to say that this affair helped cause the civil war?
The publisher in Ahmed 2011 is incorrect, Prospographica et Geneaoligica (typo here) is the series of the book.
That's it for a first pass. An excellent article, really little to complain about. Constantine ✍ 08:53, 8 April 2023 (UTC)
- @Cplakidas: Thanks for the great suggestions. Left a question for you regarding the Byzantine frontier. Other than that, let me know if anything else. Al Ameer (talk) 17:22, 10 April 2023 (UTC)
- @Al Ameer son: Had another look, nothing that jumps out as missing or problematic. Added a suggestion above, but am ready to support as it is. Constantine ✍ 14:16, 23 April 2023 (UTC)
Source review - Pass edit
- McMillan 2011 : page numbers/ranges needed
- Powers, Stephan, ed. (1989) : Correct name is Powers, David S. (i.e. Stephen is middle name, not first)
- The Restoration Project of the Masjid al-Aqsa by Mïmar Kemalettın (1922–1926) --> ... (1922–26)
- Although not specific to this article, I think we should standardize Hawting's name (Hawting, G. R vs. Hawting, Gerald R.) in templates
- Kennedy, Hugh and Kennedy, H. ;)
- The Works of Ibn Wāḍiḥ al-Yaʿqūbī (Volume 3): Biesterfeldt and Günther are series editors (Islamic History and Civilization). This particular volume was edited by Gordon, Robinson, Everett, and Fishbein.
- Bacharach, Jere L. (1996): pp. 27–44. AhmadLX-(Wikiposta) 15:25, 16 April 2023 (UTC)
- Should Hillenbrand, 1994 be before Hillenbrand, 1999?
- Do we need page ranges for George as well as Bacharach? Gog the Mild (talk) 17:34, 16 April 2023 (UTC)
- Gordon et al. 2018, p. 1001, 1004. --> pp.
- Gordon, Matthew S.; Robinson, Chase F.; Rowson, Everett K.; Fishbein, Michael (2018)--> ... (eds.) (2018). i.e last1 --> editor1-last etc.
- In some cases you give all pub locs (e.g. Fowden, Garth (2004)-Berkeley and Los Angeles) and in some you give only the first (e.g. Elad, Amikam (1999)-Leiden from Leiden, Boston, Köln). There are other instances too
- "The Babylonian Encounter and the Exilarchic House in the Light of Cairo Geniza Documents and the Parallel Arabic Sources". Drop "the", not part of the original title; Arabic --> Arab
- Marsham, Andrew (2022): Editor names?
- "Living Islamic History: Studies in Honour of Professor Carole Hillenbrand" Google Books link would be good (not a must, of course)
- "The Fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba: Berbers and Arabs in Conflict": I think it is "Andalusis"
- "Estudios onomástico-biográficos de Al-Andalus: V": I think you are using volume VI
- Otros Linajes Omeyas en al-Andalus". In Marín, Manuela (ed.). Estudios onomástico-biográficos de Al-Andalus: V.
- Sources are all high quality. AhmadLX-(Wikiposta) 20:32, 23 April 2023 (UTC)
- "During his father's caliphate, al-Walid led the campaigns in 695, 696, 697 and 698.[7]" [7] says 696, 697, 698 and 699
- "...enlisted more troops into Egypt's army...[38]" The source is not so certain of this meaning of reorganizing the diwan. I think you should stick to "reorganization" or at least add a qualifier to "enlisting more troops". AhmadLX-(Wikiposta) 21:00, 29 April 2023 (UTC)
- I think you've not added editors to Marsham, Andrew (2022). AhmadLX-(Wikiposta) 21:13, 29 April 2023 (UTC)
- Pass. AhmadLX-(Wikiposta) 03:03, 30 April 2023 (UTC)
- Closing note: This candidate has been promoted, but there may be a delay in bot processing of the close. Please see WP:FAC/ar, and leave the {{featured article candidates}} template in place on the talk page until the bot goes through. Hog Farm Talk 19:14, 6 May 2023 (UTC)
- The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.