Zubair bin Awwam (rta): The Disciple of the Prophet (sa)

By Sadaf Azhar

Az Zubair bin Awwam (rta) was Prophet’s (sa) first cousin and Saffiyah’s (rta) son. She was the Prophet’s (sa) paternal aunt. Zubair’s (rta) father died when he was very young. Safiyyah (rta) raised him to become a strong warrior, and overcome the disadvantage of being an orphan in the tribal society of Makkah.

Physical attributes

He was extremely tall, lean and muscular with a light beard. Zubair’s (rta) feet would almost touch the ground when he sat upon his horse.

He could steer the horse with his legs while wielding swords in both his hands during battle- a feat that only Khalid bin Waleed (rta) could also accomplish.

Embracing Islam

Zubair (rta) was one of the first ten people who embraced Islam. He was a teenager at that time and was inseparable from Talha (rta). Both are promised to be neighbours of the Prophet (sa) in Jannah.

His mother was upset when he accepted Islam and his paternal uncle Nofil ibn Khuwailid, the Shaytan of Quraysh, tortured him mercilessly.

The first to defend the Prophet (sa)

Despite this, he studied Islam diligently in Dar al Arqam and never missed his lessons. Once he came running to the Prophet (sa), out of breath, holding a sword to defend the Prophet’s (sa) life. The Prophet (sa) smiled and reassured him. Zubair (rta) thus became the first Muslim to draw the sword to defend the Prophet (sa).

Migration to Abyssinia

Due to the relentless torture, the Prophet (sa) gave him permission to migrate to Abyssinia with Jaafar (rta). Zubair (rta) gained closeness to King Najashi of Abyssinia and helped him learn about Islam.

When Najashi died, Zubair (rta) had the honour of leading his funeral prayer in absentia in Madinah.

Marriage and Hijrah

Zubair (rta) married Asma bint Abu Bakr (rta), who was as steadfast, brave and resilient as her husband. The birth of their firstborn, Abdullah (rta), put an end to the rumour that the Muslim women had been put under a spell so that they wouldn’t bear children. The Prophet (sa) himself did Tahneek and made Dua for him and they carried Abdullah bin Zubair (rta) through the streets, chanting ‘Allah Akbar’ in celebration.

Battle of Badr

Zubair (rta) was a fierce warrior. Apart from Miqdad (rta), he was the only other horseman. Distinct in a yellow turban, Zubair (rta) penetrated the enemy lines, knocking off their horsemen. Jibreel (as) and the angels fighting alongside the Muslims also wore yellow turbans, following him. Urwa (rta) narrates: “As a child I remember that my father’s body had three holes into which I could put my finger- two were from Badr and the other from the Battle of Yarmouk.”

Battle of Uhud

On the day of Uhud, Zubair (rta) distinguished himself in the single combat against Talha bin Talha, a huge, fierce, arrogant warrior with the best horse from the Quraysh. Saffiyyah (rta), his mother, appealed to the Prophet (sa) fearing for her son’s life. The Prophet (sa) reassured her: “Rather, Az Zubair is going to kill him In sha Allah.”

Talha was stunned that Az Zubair (rta) was ready to fight him on foot. Zubair (rta) knocked Talha off his horse, snatched his sword, killed him with it and rode his horse back to the joyous Muslims.

Zubair (rta) was deeply hurt over his uncle Hamza’s (rta) and cousin Abdullah bin Jahsh’s (rta) martyrdom. Zubair (rta) was one of the few who did not flee but chased the enemy.

Battle of Khandaq

In the battle of Khandaq, when the Prophet (sa) heard of the treachery of the Jews, he asked thrice for someone to volunteer to penetrate their fortress and verify the news.

Every time Az Zubair (rta) volunteered excitedly. The Prophet (sa) declared: “Every Prophet has a disciple and my disciple is Az Zubair.”

The Prophet (sa) also praised Az Zubair (rta): “May my mother and father be sacrificed for you.” An incredible honour.

Death

When Uthman (rta) as a caliph, was under siege by the enemy, Zubair (rta) sent his children to defend him. Uthman (rta) refused to let any blood be spilled for him. This frustrated Zubair (rta) and was a test of his patience and obedience to the caliph. Later Zubair (rta) was devastated by the murder of Uthman (rta).

Ali (rta) was appointed the next caliph and he promised to pursue the killers but wanted to stabilize the government first. Talha (rta), Zubair (rta) and Ayesha (rta) met him demanding the arrest of the killers.

They reached an agreement and Ali (rta) asked Zubair (rta): “Do you remember the day when we were sitting together as brothers and the Prophet (sa) saw us and he asked: ‘Do you love Ali?’”

Zubair (rta) had forgotten that incident. Ali (rta) reminded him that the Prophet (sa) foretold Zubair (rta): ‘You will fight against him and you will be wrong.’ Az Zubair (rta) broke down in tears, gave his pledge to Ali (rta) and left the battlefield. People followed him, asking why but he refused to fight.

Amr ibn Jarmoos, a Khwarij, followed Zubair (rta) seeking his company. He waited till the time of Salah, because he could not have overpowered him otherwise, and as soon as Az Zubair (rta) started praying, he attacked Zubair (rta) and killed him.

This man took Az Zubair’s (rta) sword to Ali (rta) thinking he would be pleased. Ali (rta) was sitting in his tent when Zubair’s (rta) sword was brought to him. Ali (rta) started to weep loudly and said the Prophet (sa) said: “When you meet the murderer of ibn Saffiyah give him the glad tidings of Hellfire.”

Hearing this, Amr bin Jarmoos ran away before Ali (rta) could come out and Amr committed suicide. Az Zubair (rta) used to pray to die in Salah and his Dua was accepted. Like him, his sons Abdullah and Urwa too were martyred while praying.

Abdullah bin Zubair narrates that Az Zubair (rta) came to him on the day he died and said: “… I sense that I will be killed as an oppressed one. My only worry is my debts. O my son! Sell my property, ask people to forgive me and if you find yourself in difficulty, seek the help of my Mawla (Allah).”  

Zubair (rta) was poor and when he earned wealth, he would either donate it or loan it. For four years, Abdullah ibn Zubair would stand up in the season of Hajj asking people if Az Zubair (rta) owed them anything. He would pray when he would feel anxious: “O master of Zubair! Pay the debts on his behalf.”

There were so many people who owed Zubair money instead, that his property was valued at over 50 million Dinars after his death. Zubair (rta) was a man who never tasted the sweetness of wealth while alive.