Zubayr ibn al-Awam

May Allah be pleased with him

Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) is well known in the books of seerah as The Disciple of
the Prophet (Pbuh). This title was gien to him b! Prophet (pbuh) himself.
The "uraish tribe was comprise# of seeral clans an# the most prominent clan among
them was the famil! of $ani %ashim. This clan ha# more than one religious an# worl#l!
function #uring the pre &slamic perio#. &t was notable an# noble both in famil! lineage
an# position amongst the clans an# tribes that inhabite# 'ecca. The Prophet (pbuh)
belonge# to this clan.
(afi!ah bint Ab#ul 'uttalib) who belonge# to this high*class famil!) finall! marrie# the
notable man whom she loe# an# a#mire#. (he #reamt for a long time to hae a son
that woul# a## to her happiness. Da!s were passing er! slowl!) while she was waning
for the bab! to come to this life. The bri#e felt she was coming closer to the #a! when
she woul# be a mother.
+ithin the societ! of the "uraish) as well as other societies in the Arabian Peninsula) the
househol# that ha# more male offspring was gien more esteem.
The! felt that such bo!s) later on as !outh) woul# be the ones who woul# protect the
tribe an# gie the famil! #ignit! an# honor.
,ine months later an# for the goo# fortune of (afi!ah) she gae birth to her son. (he
name# him Az*Zubair. -rom the first minute) she gae him all the care an# affection that
woul# make him a man of notable rank among his peers. The bab! grew #a! b! #a! an#
the e!es of his mother followe# his steps whereer he went. .ike an! other mother) she
consi#ere# him a piece of herself an# looke# at him with hope an# #reams as the !oung
man who woul# gie her a loft! position among the women of her societ!.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) became /rphan at !oung age
As tribes #uring those ancient #a!s use# to ina#e an# be ina#e# b! other tribes an#
as wars were normall! wage# for triial reasons) it was or#inar! for a man like Al*
Awwam (Az*Zubair0s father) to spen# the first half of the #a! with his famil! an# to
become a #ea# bo#! un#er the earth in the secon# half of the #a!. All of a su##en) Az
Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) was left an orphan un#er the custo#! of his mother. %is father
ha# been kille# in a battle among the tribes of Arabia that left nothing for man!
househol#s other than mourning wies an# miserable orphans.
After losing her husban#) Az*Zubair0s mother felt how much life was har# on her. %ence
she was er! keen to hae recompense in her son. (he or#ere# the bo! to be traine#
how to use his swor# an# spear an# how to become a man of #ignit!. (he was er! har#
on him. (he een beat him now an# then. +hen she was aske# wh! she beat him) she
replie# that she was #oing so to make him a real man. (afi!ah obsere# her son grow
#a! b! #a!. (he felt er! happ! to learn that her son ha# 1uarrele# with an a#ult man
an# ha# broken that man0s arm. (he was er! prou# to hae a strong son.
The coming of 'onotheism
Az*Zubair grew into a strong an# han#some !oung man. %e en2o!e# all the #ignit! an#
reputation that his horsemanship gae him amongst his tribesmen. %e en2o!e# his time
with his peers. %is main concern was to spen# as much as he coul# of his time hunting
an# training with his swor# an# spear.
&n a##ition to i#olatr! an# setting up partners with Allah) all the people of 'ecca in#ulge#
in ices that ma#e their life corrupt an# empt! of an! sign of gui#ance from heaen.
&n2ustices oerwhelme# their acts an# ma#e the relations between the powerful an# the
weak ten# to be tense most of the time.
&n these ba# con#itions that preaile# in 'ecca an# the worl# in general) 'uhamma# bin
Ab#ullah was sent b! Allah to preach the message of &slam an# the chiefs of the "uraish
were against the message of &slam. &n spite of all their cruelt!) the Prophet (pbuh) inite#
them to accept &slam to reform their societ! an# to sae them from the punishment of
Allah on the Da! of 3u#gment. %e was er! merciful towar# them. Although the! insulte#
him an# ma#e his mission er! #ifficult) he e4ercise# patience with them. %e an# his few
followers stoo# fast in the face of torture an# oppression that the "uraish inflicte# on
them. ,either the Prophet (pbuh) nor an! of his followers were iolent against their
oppressors.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) receies the message of &slam
Az*Zubair ('uhamma#0s cousin) saw all the agonies that the 'uslims were un#ergoing.
Although he was too !oung) he was sensible enough to un#erstan# what the principles
of &slam meant. %e) among others) listene# carefull! to the Prophet (pbuh) an# #eci#e#
to a#opt the new religion as a wa! of life.
5en before the a#ent of &slam) Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) was well aware of the ba#
con#ition of the people in 'ecca. %e felt insi#e himself that some sort of gui#ance
shoul# come to change the corrupt societ! of the Arabs.
/n a #ark night) Az*Zubair isolate# himself an# began thinking of those a few people
who followe# the new religion. %e saw how much the! suffere# for no reason but
because the! hel# fast to their faith. The gui#ance that came from up high ha# touche#
his heart. %e knew how much 'uhamma# was honest. %is mother ha# tol# him before
that her nephew was famous for his truthfulness. %oweer) after 'uhamma# proclaime#
&slam) she e4tremel! oppose# him. 6onflicting thoughts tore his min#. %e coul# not
figure a wa! out of this inner conflict.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) kept the whole night awake. The #awn was about to break
an# the gentle breeze of earl! morning gae him new hopes. %e thought that it was
better to know more about the new religion from the closest man to the Prophet (pbuh).
%e left his home an# went to Abu $akr0s house.
Abu $akr (ra) ha# alrea#! accepte# &slam without an! hesitation from the first moment
the Prophet (pbuh) calle# him to be a 'uslim. Abu $akr tol# Az*Zubair that 'uhamma#
was a true 'essenger from Allah. %e e4plaine# to him the principles of &slam an# urge#
him to follow the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh). Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) became
conince# that &slam was the solution to all the problems that his societ! was
un#ergoing. %e imme#iatel! e4presse# his interest to meet the Prophet (pbuh) an#
embrace &slam.
The first swor# lifte# in &slam
%e was a horseman an# a bol# warrior from chil#hoo#) to the e4tent that historians
mention that the first swor# lifte# in &slam was Az*Zubair7s swor#.&n the er! earl! #a!s of
&slam) while the 'uslims were still few in number) hi#ing in Daar Al*Ar1am) a rumor
sprea# that the Prophet (P$8%) ha# been kille#. Az*Zubair ha# har#l! hear# that when
he unsheathe# his swor# an# hurrie# through the streets of 'akkah although still so
!oung.-irst he went to learn the truth of what ha# been sai#) #etermine# that if it were
true) he woul# cut the whole of the "uraish into pieces until the! kille# him./n the high
hills of 'akkah) the Prophet (P$8%) met him an# aske#) 9+hat7s the matter:9 Az*Zubair
tol# him the news. The Prophet (P$8%) pra!e# for him an# aske# Allah to bestow merc!
an# all goo# upon him) an# ictor! upon his swor#.
%is role in #efen#ing &slam
Abu $akr (ra) imme#iatel! took the !oung man to the Prophet0s house. There) Az Zubair
bin Al Awwam (ra) #eclare# that he accepte# &slam.. %e was the fifth person to accept
&slam. %e ple#ge# to #efen# his faith to the last moment of his life. At that time he was
;< !ears ol#= that is how he was en#owe# with gui#ance) light) an# all the goo# while
still a !outh.
Da! after #a!) the "uraish a##e# to their oppression of the 'uslims. Az*Zubair kept his
acceptance of &slam secret. %oweer) he coul# not stan# aggression against the
followers of the new religion.
+hile the chiefs of the "uraish were sitting near the >abah mocking the Prophet (pbuh)
an# his followers) a !oung man approache# them cr!ing. %e began shouting that Az*
Zubair ha# beaten up his father an# ha# broken his arm. The !oung man a##e#? %e
was about to kill m! father. %e urge# the chiefs of the "uraish to stop the orphan.
The chiefs of the "uraish aske# the !oung man about the reason that ma#e Az*Zubair
beat his father. %e e4plaine#? &t was because of the #ifference of religion. '! father ha#
sai# something ba# about 'uhamma# an# &slam. Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) was
angr! to hear such insults because he ha# alrea#! accepte# &slam.
%e beat m! father an# was about to kill him.
/ppression an# torture
Az*Zubair0s uncle an# mother trie# their best to make him apologize for what the!
consi#ere# as miscon#uct. %oweer) Az*Zubair #i# not een pa! an! attention to their
threats. The! urge# him to aban#on the new faith but he neer hesitate# to #eclare his
stea#fast clinging to his religion. %e also calle# them to embrace &slam as he ha# #one.
%is mother was er! har# on him to make him recant. %is uncle use# to wrap him with a
mat an# put him in smoke to suffocate him so as to make him go back to i#olatr!.
&n spite of all har#ships) Az*Zubair (ra) kept *stea#fast to his belief. The more the! a##e#
to his punishment) the more he hel# fast to his faith.
%e saw no #ifference between himself an# an! other 'uslim sub2ecte# to pressure an#
agonies that woul# allow him to aban#on his religion. @ather) he consi#ere# .himself
fortunate to be treate# b! pagans in this harsh wa!. %e knew that such har#ships woul#
bring him closer to Allah an# make his rewar# on the Da! of 3u#gment greater.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) migrates for &slam
The Prophet (pbuh) an# the few earl! 'uslims met unbearable har#ships in 'ecca.
The! were oppresse# b! the "uraish to the e4tent that the! ha# no chance een to
worship Allah or lie in peace. 'uslims were mostl! weak people an# slaes. The! ha#
nobo#! to support them against the wae of oppression the! were facing in 'ecca.
The 'uslims complaine# to the Prophet (pbuh)) the! felt that there was no choice but to
leae the cit! or to face #eath. The Prophet (pbuh) felt er! sa# for their con#ition but he
ha# no power to protect them or himself against the oppression of the "uraish.
Therefore) the Prophet (pbuh) aske# his 6ompanions to leae to Ab!ssinia. %e tol# them
that lan# was rule# b! a 2ust an# merciful 5mperor.
The! woul# receie goo# treatment un#er his rule.
.eaing the %omelan#
Az*Zubair an# man! other 'uslims left 'ecca secretl! to Ab!ssinia. +hen the! arrie#
there the! foun# the people er! nice to them. The! receie# goo# treatment an# lie# in
peace. The! coul# worship Allah an# practice their religion in the wa! or#aine# b! Allah.
+hen the 'uslims felt secure an# protecte# un#er the care of the 5mperor) the! foun#
out that an opponent of the 5mperor ha# reolte# against him. The 'uslims were afrai#
that the rebel might seize power an# oercome the 5mperor. The! pra!e# to Allah to
gie ictor! to the 5mperor.
The 5mperor ha# to fight a big battle against his foe. The 'uslims were er! an4ious to
know the result of the battle which was about to take place behin# the ,ile rier. The!
aske# Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) to go to the scene of the battle an# bring them news.
Az*Zubair (ra) ma#e a float an# swam to where the battle was taking place. %e saw that
the 5mperor ha# #efeate# his opponent an# came back to his fellow 'uslims with this
goo# news. The migrants were er! happ! for the 5mperor to #efeat his enem!.
Plots against the 'igrants
The chiefs of the "uraish felt that the! ha# lost control oer the 'uslims. The! were er!
angr! to see the 'uslims liing in peace in Ab!ssinia. The! #i# not like the 'uslims to
escape their oppression an# torture.
Therefore) the! #eci#e# to sen# an eno! to the 5mperor asking him to surren#er the
migrants back to them. The! sent two eno!s with gifts to the 5mperor plea#ing him to
#ismiss the migrants out of his countr! an# sen# them back to 'ecca. The eno!s trie#
to #eceie the 5mperor. The! tol# him that the migrants sai# ba# things about 3esus
6hrist. The 5mperor was er! wise an# 2ust. %e wante# the migrants to gie their
testimon!. %e knew that the religion of these migrants was close to his religion.
The lea#er of the migrants) 3a0far bin Abi Talib (ra) an# his fellow 'uslims appeare#
before the 5mperor. %e a#ance# towar# the 5mperor an# sai#?
/ 5mperorA +e were worshipers of han# care# i#ols. +e treate# each other un2ustl!. A
man from amongst us tol# us that he ha# been sent b! Allah to take us out of the gloom
of ignorance to the light of &slam. +e accepte# his call an# beliee# in what he sai#. /ur
people treate# us er! ba#l!. Therefore) we sought refuge in !our lan# for we know !ou
are 2ust an# treat !our guests nicel!.
The 5mperor was conince# that the principles brought b! &slam were a continuation of
the message of preious Prophets to humanl!. %oweer) the two eno!s tol# the
5mperor that the 'uslims ha# aban#one# the religion of their forefathers. The! #i# not
follow 6hristianit! or an! other known religion an# the! een sai# ba# things about
3esus 6hrist.
The 5mperor or#ere# 3a0far (ra) to tell him what the! beliee# about 3esus. 3a0far (ra)
tol# the 5mperor that the! beliee# that 3esus was a messenger from an# a serant of
Allah) that he was the son of 'ar!am the Birgin an# that his birth was a miracle.
The 5mperor listene# to 3a0far (ra) er! carefull!.
As 3a0far was reciting A!at (Berses) of the "ur0an from (urah 'ar!am= the e!es of the
5mperor were fille# with tears. %e tol# the men aroun# him that the things 3a0far sai#
about 3esus were the same as what 3esus sai# about himself.
%e or#ere# the gifts brought b! the #elegation of the "uraish to be gien back to them
an# #ismisse# them. %e tol# them that he woul# neer surren#er the 'uslims to them.
%e turne# his face towar# the 'uslims an# tol# them that the! were free to lie in his
lan# an# to worship Allah as the! like#.
The chiefs of the "uraish were #isappointe# to know that the 5mperor of Ab!ssinia took
the si#e of the 'uslims. %oweer) the! change# their plots. The! sprea# rumors here
an# there that the! ha# conclu#e# an agreement with the Prophet (pbuh) an# that the!
woul# not challenge the 'uslims. (ome migrants beliee# the rumors an# returne# to
'ecca. %oweer) the! foun# out that this news was false. (ome of them were capture#
b! the "uraish but others escape# again an# returne# to Ab!ssinia.
The Prophet (pbuh) an# the 'uslims who sta!e# in 'ecca receie# all kin#s of
oppression b! the "uraish. %oweer) the Prophet2s kept proclaiming the message of
&slam to members of tribes who came to 'ecca as pilgrims. &n the beginning) all
attempts to hae a tribe to support the 'uslims an# protect them against oppression
faile#. 'ost of the tribes liing in the suburbs of 'ecca were afrai# to follow the
teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) or proi#e an! help to the 'uslims lest the "uraish
wage war with them.
&slam preails in 'e#ina
&n his efforts of calling people to &slam) the Prophet (pbuh) met some pilgrims from a
town four hun#re# kilometers awa! from 'ecca calle# Cathrib. These people ha#
alrea#! hear# of the close appearance of a new Prophet (pbuh) in Arabia. The 3ews who
were liing in the suburbs of Cathrib use# to threaten them that a new Prophet (pbuh)
woul# appear) that the! woul# follow an# support him an# that the! woul# con1uer the
Arabs. The pilgrims from Cathrib kept this threat in min#. +hen the! hear# of the
Prophet (pbuh)) the! met him an# listene# to his preaching. The! were finall! conince#
that the man was a real 'essenger from Allah an# that it was better for them to accept
&slam.
The few men accepte# &slam an# promise# the Prophet (pbuh) to announce it in Cathrib.
The! also agree# with the Prophet (pbuh) to come ne4t !ear to make a ple#ge of
protection of &slam an# 'uslims. (ome seent! men an# women came to 'ecca the
following !ear an# ple#ge# to support the Prophet (pbuh) an# his 6ompanions.
(ecret 'igration
+ith the increase of har#ships on the 'uslims) the Prophet (pbuh) an# his 6ompanions
ha# no other option but to leae 'ecca to Cathrib. The Prophet (pbuh) instructe# his
companions to migrate to Cathrib secretl!. +hen he was sure that no weak 'uslims
remaine# in 'ecca) the Prophet (pbuh) an# his closest 6ompanion) Abu $akr (ra)) also
left 'ecca secretl!.
Az*Zubair 2oins his fellow 'uslims
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) an# his companions in Ab!ssinia receie# news that the
'uslims ha# finall! foun# refuge in 'e#ina. Therefore) the! left to Al 'a#inah to 2oin in
buil#ing the new state of &slam. 8pon arriing in 'e#ina) Az*Zubair (ra) #iscoere# that
his mother ha# alrea#! accepte# &slam an# migrate# with the other 'uslims. %e was so
happ! to meet the Prophet (pbuh) an# his mother un#er the banner of &slam.
Az*Zubair (ra) settle# with his wife in 'e#ina. The! both share# with other 'uslims) both
'igrants an# (upporters) in establishing foun#ations for the strong &slamic (tate.
+ars against 'e#ina
,o sooner #i# the 'uslims settle in 'e#ina than pagans starte# attempts to tumble the
new state. At the same time) the! were permitte# b! Allah to fight the pagans an# sprea#
the light of &slam aroun# 'e#ina. The 'uslims began patrolling outsi#e 'e#ina for
securit! purposes. The! receie# the news that a caraan belonging to the "uraish was
boun# to 'ecca back from Damascus nearb! 'e#ina. The! went it to check it. The
lea#er of the caraan) Abu (uf!an) knew of the 'uslims0 plans an# change# his #irection
to escape their catch.
As a caution) he sent a messenger to 'ecca to warn the "uraish an# get their help to
sae the caraan. The chief0s of "uraish got er! angr! to hear this news. The!
prepare# an arm! of one thousan# full! arme# men. The! wante# to #estro! the new
state an# put an en# to the threats of the 'uslims. Although the! were assure# b! Abu
(uf!an that the caraan was safe an# intact an# that there was no nee# to engage in
combat an# bloo#she#) the! were #rien b! their arrogance an# insiste# on procee#ing
in their eil effort.
The 'uslims) on the other si#e) barel! coul# gather three hun#re# an# thirteen poorl!
arme# men. %oweer) their trust in Allah was er! strong. The! knew that the! were right
an# the pagans were wrong.
$oth armies met at a place near to 'e#ina calle# $a#r. The 'uslims reache# the place
before the pagans. The! ruine# all sources of water that the "uraish arm! might use an#
kept some basins un#er their protection for their own use.
(oon fighting starte# er! fiercel!. Although the 'uslims were outnumbere# b! the
pagans) the! #efeate# them in no time. (eent! men from the "uraish were kille# an# a
similar number caught as prisoners of war.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) share# in the first battle wage# against &slam. %e #i# his
best to protect his faith an# his state. %e was !oung) strong an# eager to put an en# to
the t!rann! of the pagans.
A !ear later) the "uraish wante# to take reenge for the big blow the! receie# at $a#r.
The! gathere# three thousan# fighters an# hea#e# towar# 'e#ina with false hopes of
putting an en# to &slam an# the 'uslims.
$oth the 'uslim an# pagan armies met at a place near to 'e#ina calle# 8hu# 'ount.
%!pocrites) le# b! Ab#ullah bin 8ba!) pla!e# a ma2or role in weakening the 'uslim arm!.
A thir# of the 'uslim arm! ha# with#rawn from the battle scene before the battle starte#.
%oweer) the 'uslims fought with zeal an# stea#fast faith.
At the beginning of the battle the! were #efeating the pagan arm!. The archers) whom
the Prophet (pbuh) positione# oer a small hill near the battle scene to protect the backs
of the 'uslim arm!) thought that it was a final #efeat. As a result) the! #isobe!e# the
or#ers of their lea#er) went #own the hill an# began collecting war boot!. The horsemen
of the "uraish took the chance an# attacke# the 'uslim arm! from behin#. %ence) the!
turne# the #efeat to a irtual ictor!. The! left the 'uslim arm! in a mess.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) was a $rae -ighter
Az*Zubair (ra) an# some other 6ompanions of the Prophet (pbuh) kept stea#fast an#
protecte# the Prophet (pbuh) against attempts to kill him. %e stoo# in the mi##le of the
battlefiel# shooting arrows at the pagan fighters until the battle was oer. %is uncle
%amza (ra) was kille# in the battle an# his bo#! was mutilate#. %is mother came to see
the bo#! of her brother) but the Prophet (pbuh) tol# him to stop her. (he was a true
'uslim an# tol# her son that she knew that her brother0s bo#! was #eforme# b! the
pagans an# that she woul# keep patient for she knew that her brother0s soul woul# go to
para#ise.
As the "uraish coul# not achiee their intentions) the! starte# preparing for another final
battle. The! hel# a pact against &slam an# the 'uslims an# gathere# ten thousan#
sol#iers from all oer Arabia. The! again hea#e# towar# 'e#ina.
6ourage in Times of %ar#ships
'uslims) on the other han#) felt the #anger an# #iscusse# the best wa! to #efen# their
town an# people. -inall!) a 'uslim from Persia name# (alman Al*-arsi (ra) #eise# a
plan that woul# proi#e protection for the town. %e a#ise# the 'uslims to #ig a trench
aroun# the town so as to preent the pagans from entering the town. The Prophet (pbuh)
an# his 6ompanions welcome# the i#ea an# began working on the trench.
Az*Zubair (ra) 2oine# han#s with his fellow 'uslims in #igging the trench. %e was
working all the #a!long to complete the 2ob before the pagan arm! arrie# in 'e#ina.
-inall!) he an# his brothers complete# the work an# prepare# themseles to fight the
a#ancing arm!. The 3ews) being 2ealous to see &slam sprea# so swiftl! an# gain power
eer! #a!) promise# the pagans to help them against the 'uslims. %ence) the 'uslims
were stuck in the mi##le between the two forces.
The pagans arrie# at the outskirts of 'e#ina. To their utmost surprise) the! were
stoppe# b! the trench an# the 'uslim archers were rea#! to shoot #own an! trespasser.
The Prophet (pbuh) sent an eno! to the 3ews asking them help as the! ha# alrea#!
hel# a treat! with 'uslims to help each other at the times of crisis. %oweer) the 3ews
treate# the eno! er! ru#el! an# tol# him that the! ha# broken their coenants.
The pagan arm! kept surroun#ing 'e#ina for about one month. The 'uslim chil#ren)
women an# el#erl! were kept insi#e a fence# place# lest the 3ews or pagans cause
harm to them. (afi!a (ra)) Az*Zubair0s mother) was at that place. (he saw a 3ew roaming
aroun# the place. (he was afrai# that he might come in an# attack an! of them. (he
took a long stick) surprise# the 3ew an# kille# him.
The pagan arm! lost all hope of penetrating the trench. Their lea#er) Abu (uf!an)
or#ere# them to leae. Az*Zubair (ra) an# his fellow 'uslims were er! happ! to see the
high win# blow through the pagan arm!0s tents. %e knew it was a help from Allah to the
'uslims.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) D The Disciple of Prophet (pbuh)
The Prophet (pbuh) wante# to get news about the enem!. %e in1uire# who woul# be the
man to go to their tents in the night an# come back with news. Az*Zubair (ra) e4presse#
his wish to be the man. The Prophet (pbuh) repeate# his re1uest an# Az*Zubair (ra)) was
the man who olunteere# himself for the mission. The thir# time the Prophet (pbuh)
permitte# him to perform the task an# sai#?
5er! Prophet (pbuh) has a #isciple. '! #isciple is Az*Zubair.
,ow the 'uslims ha# to settle their case with the #eceiing 3ews ($ani "uraizah). The!
besiege# their homes an# force# them to surren#er. Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) an# Ali
bin Abi Talib climbe# the walls of their fortress an# opene# the gates for the 'uslims to
capture it. The $ani "uraizah men were sentence# to #eath an# their women an#
chil#ren were taken as slaes.
That was the 2ust rewar# for their #eception an# breaking of promises. Az*Zubair0s wife
a##e# to Az*Zubair0s happiness when she gae birth to a chil# whom the! name#
Ab#ullah. Ab#ullah was to become one of the great 6ompanions of the Prophet (pbuh)
an# sacrifice his life for the cause of &slam. %e was the first bo! born to the 'uslims in
'e#ina.
The $rae (ol#ier
Da! after #a!) Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) an# his brothers in &slam establishe# a fairl!
strong state in 'e#ina with the help of Allah an# un#er the lea#ership of the Prophet ss.
The! starte# initing other tribes to &slam an# #eterring an! tribe that trie# to assault
them.
Bisit to the %ol! .an#
Az*Zubair (ra) an# his fellow 'uslims were informe# b! the Prophet (pbuh) that the!
shoul# perform pilgrimage. The Prophet (pbuh) an# man! of his companions marche# to
'ecca barel! arme#. The "uraish receie# news of the 'uslims march.
The! aske# some of their horsemen to preent the 'uslims from entering 'ecca. The
'uslims campe# at a place calle# %u#a!bi!a. The chiefs of the "uraish sent their
eno!s to the Prophet to in1uire about the reason the! came to 'ecca. The! knew that
the 'uslims wante# to perform pilgrimage peacefull!. The pagans #enie# the 'uslims
this chance. The! negotiate# an agreement with the Prophet (pbuh) to stop war for ten
!ears an# to permit the 'uslims to perform pilgrimage the coming !ear.
%oweer) the "uraish faile# to respect their wor#. The! attacke# some of the 'uslims
allies an# kille# as man! as fort! of them. The Prophet (pbuh) knew of the "uraish0s
breach of the agreement an# #eci#e# to con1uer 'ecca. &t was a big stri#e forwar#. The
'uslims prepare# themseles to con1uer the cit! an# put an en# to i#olatr!.
The 6on1ueror
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) le# the left wing of the arm! an# marche# to 'ecca un#er
the lea#ership of the Prophet (pbuh). Ten thousan# 'uslims were rea#! to fight their last
battle against the i#olaters in Arabia. $efore con1uering the cit!) the Prophet (pbuh)
announce# that the 'uslims #i# not wish to she# an! bloo#. %ence) he #eclare# that if
no resistance was ma#e) all 'eccans woul# be safe an# secure. 8pon entering 'ecca)
Az*Zubair (ra) a#ance# towar# the Prophet (pbuh) an# cleane# #ust from the Prophet0s
blesse# face.
'erc! of &slam
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra)longe# much to reenge himself on those who oppresse#
him an# his brothers in &slam. %oweer) he ha# no choice but to obe! the or#ers of the
Prophet (pbuh). %e was witness to the merciful position of the Prophet (pbuh) towar# the
pagans. As 'uslims cleane# the icinit! of the >a Ebah from i#ols) the Prophet (pbuh)
stoo# on a high place an# in1uire# how the "uraish e4pecte# he woul# treat them. The!
all replie# that the! knew he woul# be merciful to them. %e assure# them an# tol# them
that the! were free an# no harm woul# befall them.
54pansion oer Arabia
As the 'uslims finishe# with their 2ob in 'ecca) the! receie# news that %awazen tribe
in Taif were preparing to fight against them. The Prophet (pbuh) comman#e# his
6ompanions to march to Ta0if an# con1uer %awazen. The 'uslims felt that the! ha#
become er! strong. (ome of them sai#?
,o one /il earth can #efeat us from now on.
As the! met the arm! of %awazen) man! of them fle# from the battle scene. /nl! the
Prophet (pbuh)) Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) an# a few other 6ompanions of the
Prophet (pbuh) kept their positions an# brael! fought a big battle. The lea#er of
%awazen saw a tall man penetrating their rows. %e in1uire# who that man was. The!
tol# him that the man was Az*Zubair (ra). %e praise# him an# aske# his men to show
braer!. -inall!) the 'uslims) thanks to the stea#fast position taken b! the Prophet
(pbuh) an# his sincere 6ompanions) returne# to the battlefiel# an# #efeate# their enem!.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) continue# his struggle for the cause of &slam. The Prophet
(pbuh) receie# news that the @omans in (!ria were angr! to know that 'uslims
con1uere# all of Arabia. The! were intent to ina#e the &slamic (tate. The Prophet
(pbuh) or#ere# his 6ompanions to march to 3or#an before the @omans entere# Arabia.
Three thousan# sol#iers marche# to 'uta) a place on the northern bor#ers of Arabia. Az*
Zubair (ra) fought a big battle an# with his fellow 'uslims showe# the @omans how
strong the 'uslims ha# become.
%e was also in the front lines when the Prophet (pbuh) comman#e# his 6ompanions to
march to the north bor#ers of Arabia to #eter the @omans again. %e share# in Tabuk
e4cursion in the hot season of summer an# performe# his #uties to the best of his abilit!.
+hen the Prophet F passe# awa!) Az*Zubair (ra) felt er! sa# to lose his lea#er an#
teacher. %oweer) he continue# his efforts to sprea# the message of &slam an#
implement the teachings of the lea#er.
(tea#fast to the 5n#
Abu $akr (ra) was electe# as 6aliph (ruler) imme#iatel! after the Prophet (pbuh) ha#
passe# awa!. Arabs aroun# 'ecca an# remote areas reolte# against the 'uslims an#
apostate#. Az*Zubair (ra) was one of the lea#ers who sub#ue# the apostates an#
brought or#er again to the &slamic state. %e fought all those who attempte# to stop the
light of Allah.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) consi#ere# himself a sol#ier of &slam.
%e alwa!s 2oine# the 'us;im arm! to fight against #isbelieers. %e share# in the
Carmuk battle against the @omans. The 'uslim arm! #efeate# the @omans an#
liberate# (!ria.
/ne man 51ual to one thousan# 'en
Az*Zubair (ra) was well known for his courage an# skill in wars. %e use# his swor# for
the support of &slam in case there ha# been an! aggression against &slam or the
'uslims. After the #eath of Abu $akr (ra)) 8mar bin Al*>hattab (ra) was selecte# as
6aliph. %e gae his or#ers to Amr bin Al*Aas (ra) to con1uer 5g!pt. The @omans in
5g!pt were oppressing the people. %e was tol# b! the 6aliph that his mission was to
liberate it from their un2ust rule. After con1uering most part of 5g!pt) Amr bin Al*Aas (ra)
aske# the 6aliph to sen# him supplies an# support. 8mar (ra) sent four men to him) one
of whom was Az*Zubair (ra). %e tol# him that these four men were e1ual to four
thousan# sol#iers.
8mar bin Al*>hattab (ra) chose Az*Zubair (ra) as one of the si4 persons who woul#
possibl! be the ne4t 6aliph after him. This selection shows the rank that Az*Zubair (ra)
ha# among the 6ompanions of the Prophet (pbuh). All the senior 6ompanions of the
Prophet (pbuh) consulte# among themseles an# finall! selecte# 8sman bin Affan (ra) to
be the 6aliph. Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra)) continue# his en#eaors un#er the rule of
8sman (ra) in sprea#ing the light of &slam. %e 2oine# the 'uslim arm! whereer it was
#ispatche# to liberate human beings from the worship of false #eities an# turn them to
the worship of the /ne Allah.
Az*Zubair bin Al*Awwarn (ra)) was #istinct among the 6ompanions of the Prophet (pbuh)
for his goo# character an# true lo!alt! to the Prophet (pbuh) an# &slam. %e was one of
the earl! 'uslims in 'ecca. %e was also one of the 6ompanions whom the Prophet
(pbuh) foretol# woul# be in Para#ise on the Da! of 3u#gment. -oremost) he was the
#isciple of the Prophet (pbuh).
Defen#ing his lea#er an# teacher
Az*Zubair (ra) was er! lo!al to the Prophet (pbuh).
/nce he hear# rumors that the pagans ha# kille# the Prophet (pbuh). %e took his swor#
an# wante# to fight them. %oweer) when he saw the Prophet (pbuh)) alie) he hugge#
him an# was e4tremel! happ!. The Prophet (pbuh)) in return) took off his cloak an# gae
it to Az*Zubair (ra) The angel Gabriel) tol# the Prophet (pbuh) that Allah was please# to
see Az*Zubair (ra) act with zeal in #efen#ing the Prophet (pbuh).
8mar bin Al*>hattab (ra) #escribe# Az Zubair (ra)) as one of the pillars of &slam. %e was
sincerel! #eote# to the cause of &slam. A frien# of Az*Zubair tol# that once he saw the
bo#! of Az*Zubair (ra)) with man! scars= all #ue to cuts ma#e b! swor#s as a result of
fighting in theH wa! of Allah.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) alwa!s kept close to the Prophet (pbuh). 5en when the
Prophet (pbuh) was sleeping) he kept besi#e him to protect him against enemies. The
Prophet (pbuh) once slept an# Az*Zubair sat besi#e him to keep flies awa! from his
blesse# face. The Prophet (pbuh) woke up an# saw Az*Zubair using a fan to e4pel flies
from his face. %e tol# Az*Zubair that he woul# be with Az*Zubair) on the Da! of
3u#gment to protect him against the sparks of %ell fire.
-ear from %ellfire
&t is known that man! of the Prophet0s sa!ings were reporte# to us b! his 6ompanions.
The! hae memorize# nearl! eer! wor# he preache# to them in arious fiel#s of life
an# (hari Eah (&slamic law). Az*Zubair alwa!s kept close to the Prophet (pbuh) an#
memorize# man! of Aha#ith (Prophet0s sa!ings).
%oweer) he onl! reporte# a er! few number of the Prophet0s sa!ings. As he was er!
close to the Prophet (pbuh) his son
Ab#ullah e4claime# wh! his father shoul# not report the Prophet0s sa!ings. Az*Zubair
tol# his son that he was afrai# he might tell something wrong. %e alwa!s recalle# the
Prophet (pbuh) warning?
An!one who tells lies when he reports m! sa!ings) his position will be in hellfire.
Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) neer feare# to become in#ebte# for he knew that Allah
woul# be on his si#e. %e tol# his son that wheneer he felt the bur#en of #ebts) he
shoul# pra! to the .or# to pa! his #ebt.
The 'art!r
&mme#iatel! after 8sman bin Affan (ra) was kille# b! the rebels) Az*Zubair an# Talha (ra)
felt that the &slamic state woul# be #isrupte# if no 6aliph is selecte# to control the
con#itions of the state. The!) with man! other senior 6ompanions of the Prophet (pbuh)
came to Ali bin Abi Talib (ra) an# insiste# on him to take oer.
After seeral attempts) Ali (pbuh) accepte# their proposal. Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra)
came back to 'ecca. %e met Aishah) the Prophet0s wife. (he tol# him that the
mur#erers of 8sman (ra) shoul# be kille#. Az*Zubair (ra) was conince# that a mur#erer
shoul#) accor#ing to &slamic .aw) be kille#. %e agree# with her an# both wante# Ali
(pbuh) to accept their proposal.
%oweer) Ali #i# not like to establish feu#ing among the 'uslims in such a critical
situation. %e #i# not accept their proposal. Az*Zubair (ra) an# man! others insiste# on
haing 8sman0s killers kille#. A war broke out behin# this #ispute between Ali an#
'uawi!ah (ra).
Accepting Truth when it is 6lear
A war was about to break between Ali an# Az*Zubair because Ali #i# not agree to his
point of iew that the rebels shoul# be brought to 2ustice. Ali wante# Az Zubair bin Al
Awwam (ra) an# others to wait until the turmoil was oer in or#er that he coul#
#istinguish the mur#erers.
A war was about to break an# both men met face to face again. Ali (ra) aske# Az*Zubair
to meet together to #iscuss the situation an# fin# out a solution instea# of fighting. Ali
(ra) met Az*Zubair (ra) an# remin#e# him of past #a!s when the Prophet (pbuh) was
alie. %e sai#?
Don0t !ou remember when the Prophet (pbuh) was walking with !ou an# met !ou:
Di#n0t he tell !ou that !ou will un2ustl! fight against me:
Az*Zubair (ra) imme#iatel! left the battle scene an# went back to 'ecca. %e #i# not like
to fight against Ali (ra) because he remembere# those wor#s tol# him b! the Prophet
(pbuh)= %oweer) the traitors #i# not like such an act. The! followe# him on the wa! to
'ecca an# kille# him while he was pra!ing.
The killers thought that the! ha# #one something goo#. The! came to Ali (ra) with the
something goo#. The! came to Ali with the news of Az*Zubair) #eath. Ali (ra) felt er! sa#
for the #eath of Az Zubair bin Al Awwam (ra) an# pra!e# to Allah to punish those who
kille# him. Az*Zubair (ra) was burie# on the wa! from lra1 to 'ecca. %e sai#?
'a! Allah gather us together on Dooms#a! in Para#ise.
This was the en# of the noble man who spent all his life fighting for the cause of Allah.
'a! Allah bestow his merc! on Az*Zubair) for his serices to &slam an# the 'uslims.