Al-Nāqiṣ is counted among the two most just men of the house of Marwān. (1) The persons intended are ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz and the present Yazīd.

Abū Bakr ibn Abī al-Dunyā related: Ibrāhīm ibn Muḥammad al-Marwazī told me, from Abū ʿUthmān al-Laythī, who said that Yazīd ibn al-Walīd al-Nāqiṣ declared:
“O sons of Umayyah, beware of singing, for it diminishes modesty, inflames desire, and destroys manliness. Indeed, it takes the place of wine and produces the same effects as an intoxicant. Yet if you are determined to indulge in it, then keep it away from women, for it is a summons to fornication.” (2)

Ibn ʿAbd al-Ḥakīm transmitted from al-Shāfiʿī: When Yazīd ibn al-Walīd ibn ʿAbd al-Malik—known as al-Nāqiṣ—assumed power, he called the people to qadar (the doctrine of predestination), compelled them to adopt it, and brought Ghaylān close to him. Ibn ʿAsākir observed: It may be that he merely drew near the followers of Ghaylān, for Ghaylān himself had been executed by Hishām ibn ʿAbd al-Malik.

Muḥammad ibn al-Mubārak said: The last words uttered by Yazīd ibn al-Walīd al-Nāqiṣ were, “Oh my regret! Oh my sorrow!” (3)

The inscription on his signet ring read: “Grandeur belongs to Allah.”

He died in al-Khaḍrāʾ of a plague that struck him, on Saturday, seven days into Dhu al-Ḥijjah. Other reports say it was on the Day of Sacrifice, some say a few days thereafter, others that ten days of the month remained, others that it was at the very end of the month, and still others that it occurred at the close of Dhu al-Qaʿdah of that same year.

The age most frequently given for him is forty-six; some said thirty, and other figures were also mentioned—Allah knows best. The length of his reign was six months according to the more common view, though others said five months and a few days. His brother Ibrāhīm ibn al-Walīd, the designated heir apparent after him, led the funeral prayer for him. (May Allah have mercy on him.)

Saʿīd ibn Kathīr ibn ʿUfayr reported that he was buried between Bāb al-Jābiya and Bāb al-Ṣaghīr; others said he was buried at Bāb al-Farādīs. He was dark-complexioned, slender, well-built, and handsome of face.

ʿAlī ibn Muḥammad al-Madīnī said: Yazīd was tall and dark, with a small head and a mole on his face. He was good-looking, his mouth slightly wide but not to excess.

That year the pilgrimage was led by ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz ibn ʿUmar ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz, who was governor of the Ḥijāz; his brother ʿAbd Allāh governed Iraq, and Naṣr ibn Sayyār remained governor of Khurāsān. (4) And Allah, exalted is He, knows best.