Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
is closely related to the Prophet Muhammad through his descendants, as his mother, Safiya, is the aunt of the Messenger of God. He married Asma bint Abi Bakr, daughter of Abi Bakr, and they have two sons. Al-Zubayr possessed noble qualities and virtues, conducted a successful trade, and accumulated fortunes, which he spent on the cause of Islam until his death in Medina.
Zubair and Talha
Al-Zubayr is often associated with Talha ibn Ubayd Allah. They shared similarities in their upbringing, wealth, generosity, courage, and strong faith. Their destinies intertwined because they were among the ten companions promised paradise, and the Prophet Muhammad considered them his close companions. They were part of the six-member Shura Council appointed by Umar ibn al-Khattab to choose his successor.
The first Muslim sword in Islam
Al-Zubayr embraced Islam when he was fifteen years old, and he was one of the first seven who hastened to accept him. He was known for his exceptional valor, and his sword was the first to shoot in the early days of Islam. When rumors spread that the Prophet had been killed, al-Zubayr took up his sword and walked through the streets of Mecca like a whirlwind. The Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, received him at the highest point in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, and inquired about his condition. When he heard the news, he prayed for al-Zubayr with goodness and victory.
Al-Zubayr’s Faith and Patience:
Al-Zubayr suffered the torment of his uncle, who wrapped him in a mat and burned him with fire to force him to renounce his faith in God and the Prophet Muhammad. The young Zubayr categorically refused and migrated twice to Abyssinia (Ethiopia). After that, he returned to witness with the Messenger Muhammad all the important events.
Battle of Uhud
In the Battle of Uhud, after the Quraysh army withdrew to Mecca, the Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace, entrusted Zubayr and Abu Bakr to pursue them. With their smart leadership, they led seventy Muslims and showed the strength of the Muslim army. Mistaking the approaching vanguard of the Prophet's army, the Quraysh hastily fled to Mecca.
The incident of Banu Qurayza
In the Battle of the Trench, the Messenger asked about the location of the Banu Qurayza tribe, and al-Zubayr answered each time, saying, "I am." He was sent several times until the Prophet said: "Every prophet has a disciple, and al-Zubayr is my disciple and my cousin." When the Banu Qurayza refused to surrender to the Prophet, he sent al-Zubayr and Ali ibn Abi Talib to stand in front of their fortress. They chanted, "By God, we will taste the taste of Hamza, or we will open their fortress for them." In the end, they stormed the fort and struck terror in the hearts of the besiegers, allowing the Muslims to occupy it.
Hanin Battle
During the battle of Hunayn, al-Zubayr met
Malik ibn Awf, the leader of the Hawazin tribe and the commander of the infidel
forces. Despite his forces being surrounded, Al-Zubayr alone attacked them,
dispersed their ranks, and pushed them away from the ambush site, where they
were waiting to return.
Al-Zubayr's love for martyrdom
Al-Zubayr bin Al-Awam had a strong tendency towards martyrdom. And he used to say: "Talha bin Ubaid Allah names his sons after the names of the prophets, knowing that there is no prophet after Muhammad, and he called my sons the name of the martyrs, in the hope that they will be martyred one day." Thus, he named his sons after martyrs, expressing his desire that they be martyred.
Zubair's sons
He named his son Abdullah after the martyr Abdullah bin Jahsh.
He named his son Al-Mundhir after the martyr Al-Mundhir bin Amr.
He named his son Urwa after the martyr Urwa bin Amr.
He named his son Hamza after the martyr Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib.
He named his son Jaafar after the martyr Jaafar bin Abi Talib.
He named his son Musab after the martyr Musab bin Omair.
He named his son Khaled after the martyr Khaled bin Saeed.
Zubair's advice
Al-Zubayr's trust in God was the basis of his generosity and courage. And when he honored his life, he advised his son Abdullah about his debts, saying: If you are not able to pay off a debt, seek the help of my Lord. Abdullah asked: Which Lord do you mean? Al-Zubayr said: “God is the best of a helper.” Abdullah said later: "By God, if I have a difficult debt, I say: O Lord, Zubair, pay off his debt, and he will be paid."
Camel day
After the martyrdom of Othman bin Affan, Al-Zubayr and Talha pledged allegiance to Ali bin Abi Talib and set off to Mecca to perform the Umrah. From there, they went to Basra to seek revenge for Uthman's death. The Battle of the Camel took place in 36 AH. Talha and al-Zubayr were on one side, while Ali was on the other. When Ali saw Aisha, the mother of the believers, in her howdah on the battlefield, tears streamed down his face. Talha exclaimed: O Talha, you came with the bride of the Messenger of God to fight, and you left your bride at home? Then he said to Al-Zubayr: O Zubair, do you remember when the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, passed by us at a certain place and asked you: Do you not love me? I replied: Do I not love my paternal uncle and the one who follows my religion? Then he said to you: O Zubayr, you are fighting him and he oppressed him. Al-Zubayr said: Yes, I remember now, and by God, I am not fighting you.
Al-Zubayr’s martyrdom
And when al-Zubayr
was praying in the seven valleys, Ibn Jarmuz approached him from behind and
killed him. The killer hurried to Ali, carrying the sword he had taken, but
when Ali learned that the killer of al-Zubayr was asking permission to enter,
he ordered him to be expelled, saying: "Give the killer of Ibn Safiya the
good news of Hell." When they brought Al-Zubayr's sword to Ali, he kissed
him.