Abdullah bin Zubair (rta) was the first Muslim child born to the Muhajirun in Madinah. His mother was Asma (rtaf), the pious daughter of Abu Bakr (rta), and his father was Az-Zubair bin Al-‘Awwam (rta), a Companion of the Prophet (sa). He was among those who received in his lifetime the glad tidings of being admitted to Paradise.
All Muslims were immeasurably delighted about his birth. This was because since the time Muslims started to migrate to Madinah, no child had been born to them, and they had the fear that the Jews might have bewitched them. Thus, the birth of Abdullah (rta) proved these suspicions wrong. The Messenger (sa) himself named him Abdullah, and the first thing that entered the child’s stomach after his birth was the saliva of the Prophet (sa), after he had chewed on a date.
Abdullah (rta) spent much of his childhood in the Prophet’s (sa) household, as his maternal aunt was Aisha (rtaf), one of the Mothers of Believers. She loved Abdullah (rta) so dearly that the Prophet (sa) named her Umm Abdullah.
Abdullah (rta) was very bold and daring right from childhood. Once, as he was playing with his friends, Umar bin Al-Khattab (rta) passed by them. All the boys ran away quickly, as there was something awe-inspiring about Umar, but Abdullah (rta) remained. When asked why he didn’t flee with the others, Abdullah (rta) replied:
“Oh, Commander of the Faithful! I have not committed any sin and the road is not narrow that I should make room for you.”
Abdullah’s courage was exemplary from childhood. He took part in the Battle of the Trench when he was only five years old and in the Battle of Yarmuk when he was thirteen.
This brave and pious child companion grew up to be one of the Caliphs of the Islamic state. He was a brave warrior and was known as Hamamatul-Majid (the Dove of the Masjid – one who always returns to the Masjid), as he used to pray a lot and fast often.
Adapted from “Child Companions around the Prophet (sa)” published by “Darussalam”.
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