The Son of Quraysh’s Chief
His father, al-Walid ibn al-Mughira, was one of the most powerful and hostile Quraysh leaders — the man who publicly called the Quran “magic from the past” (74:24-25) and whose pending death was announced in the early Meccan surahs. Al-Walid ibn al-Walid’s position was thus remarkable: the son of one of Islam’s chief opponents became a secret Muslim.
The Badr Captivity
Al-Walid was captured at Badr while fighting on the Quraysh side — this was before his conversion. His capture occurred, his family paid the ransom, and he was released. Some time after release he accepted Islam. Now, as a Muslim in a family that largely opposed Islam, he could not freely leave Mecca without being stopped.
Quran 4:97 — The Verse of the Oppressed
“Indeed, those whom the angels take in death while wronging themselves — the angels will say: In what condition were you? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. The angels will say: Was not the earth of God spacious enough for you to emigrate therein?”
This verse was revealed about those who remained in Mecca after being able to emigrate (or who made insufficient effort to do so). Al-Walid’s name was later associated with those who had genuine reasons for being unable to emigrate — the next verse (4:98) immediately exempts “the truly weak among men, women, and children who have no means and no way.”
See also: Seerah Al Walid Ibn Al Mughirah, Seerah Uqba Ibn Abi Muayt, Seerah Early Mecca, Seerah Conquest Mecca, Seerah Jabir Ibn Samurah