Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam

Who is Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam?

Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam was a prominent figure in early Islamic history. He was Al-Zubayr ibn Al-Awwam ibn Khuwaylid ibn Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab of the Quraysh tribe, specifically the Asad clan. He was also known as Abu Abdullah. Al-Zubayr was a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad; peace be upon him, and he was his cousin. He was one of the ten companions promised paradise.

Al-Zubayr married Asma bint Abi Bakr; may Allah be pleased with them both. He embraced Islam in its early days and was one of the first to do so, becoming the seventh person to convert at the age of 15.

The Upbringing of Al-Zubayr by His Mother

Al-Zubayr's mother, Safiyyah bint Abd al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with her, used to be stern with him during his childhood, at times disciplining him with harshness. This behavior raised eyebrows among people, who assumed she didn't love him. She clarified that her actions were intended to make him resilient and grow up to be a strong and valiant warrior, capable of defeating enemies and bringing back the spoils of war.

Al-Zubayr was raised in the household of Arqam, and one of the early incidents that demonstrated his remarkable character was when he heard a rumor that the Prophet, peace be upon him, had been killed. He immediately unsheathed his sword and set out to confirm the news. He vowed to kill the perpetrator if the news was true, even if it turned out to be the entire Quraysh. While on his way, he unexpectedly encountered the Prophet, peace be upon him and informed him of the news. The Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed for his well-being and success and for the victory of his sword.

The Jihad of Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam

If we were to describe and summarize the life of Al-Zubayr, his jihad (struggle and warfare) and valor would stand out as his most prominent attributes. He had a role in nearly every battle, and here are some noteworthy instances:

His role after the Battle of Uhud

 After the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet, peace be upon him, entrusted Al-Zubayr and Abu Bakr with the leadership of a battalion of seventy men to pursue the victorious Quraysh forces. They managed to create the impression that they were a powerful vanguard of the Muslim army. This caused the Quraysh forces to hastily retreat to Mecca, realizing that they hadn't weakened the strength of the Muslims.

His stand at the Battle of Yarmouk

One of his remarkable feats was during the Battle of Yarmouk when he noticed a sense of weariness among some of the Muslims who were facing an overwhelming Byzantine army, unlike anything they had encountered before. Al-Zubayr, in response, shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) and charged at the enemies of God with fierce determination, breaking through their ranks, which were like an unending sea. He then returned victorious to his fellow Muslims, greatly lifting their spirits.

His role in the Conquest of Egypt

To further illustrate his bravery, courage, and military competence, when Amr ibn al-As requested three thousand reinforcements for the conquest of Egypt, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, sent him just three men. He informed Amr that each of them was worth a thousand men. These three were Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Al-Miqdad ibn Amr, and Ubada ibn as-Samit. Al-Zubayr was placed at the forefront of the army because they would not flee, and their presence would encourage the other soldiers.

Al-Zubayr's life was characterized by his unwavering commitment to jihad and his remarkable contributions to the early Islamic battles, making him a revered figure in Islamic history.

Glad Tidings of Martyrdom for Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam

Imam Muslim mentioned in his Sahih that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was on Mount Hira when it shook. Upon this, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Calm down, O Hira! For there is no prophet, truthful person, or martyr upon you, but there is (still) Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Talha, Al-Zubayr, Abu Ubayda Ibn Al-Jarrah, and Saad bin Abi Waqqas, and Allah is pleased with them".

This narration is a testament to the great honor and glad tidings given to Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam as a martyr, as he was among those mentioned by the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the context of martyrdom.

Testimony of Uthman ibn Affan for Al-Zubayr's Virtue

Uthman ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, fell ill during his caliphate, which prevented him from performing the Hajj pilgrimage. The suggestion of appointing a successor was made to him, and Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam's name came up. Al-Zubayr was one of the six individuals whom Umar ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, had appointed as potential successors. Uthman, however, responded, "By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, I don't know if he is the best among them, but he was certainly the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him".

This statement from Uthman underscores the special place Al-Zubayr held in the heart of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the high regard in which he was held by the early Muslim community.

The Angels Descending on the Day of Badr in Support of Al-Zubayr

On the Day of Badr, the angels descended to fight alongside the Muslims in this momentous battle in Islamic history. These angels were dressed in yellow turbans, much like the one worn by Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam; may Allah be pleased with him. This served as a clear indication of the honor and distinction of Al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with him, and his role on that significant day.

The Martyrdom of Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam

In the Battle of the Camel, during one of the phases of the battle, Ali called out to Al-Zubayr and reminded him of a hadith from the Prophet, peace be upon him, predicting that they would fight, and in that fight, Al-Zubayr would be in the wrong against Ali. When Al-Zubayr heard this reminder, he recalled the hadith and said, "Yes, and I didn't mention it except in a situation like this".

He then turned away from the conflict and distanced himself from the fitna (strife). Tragically, Al-Zubayr was martyred while leaving the vicinity by some individuals.