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Life of the Companions of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessing be upon him
Abdullah Ibn AlZubair
may Allah be pleased with them
Who he is:
He was Abu khubaib Abdullah bin AlZubai bin Al-Awwam bin khuwailid bin Asad bin Abdul-Uzza bin Qusai. He was a member of the Bani Assad tribe.
His father was Al-Zubair bin Al-Awwam, one if the ten companions given the glad tidings of paradise. He migrated to Abyssinia at the time when Muslims were oppressed in Mecca. He also immigrated to Medina and he was the first to draw his sword in Allah's Cause. It is enough honour for him that our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said about him: "Every Prophet has a disciple and my disciple is Al-Zubair"
His mother was Asma daughter of Abu Bakr. She was the eighteenth person to accept Islam. During our noble Prophet's migration to Medina with her father Abu Bake Elsiddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, she was the one to supply them with food and drink inspite of the surveillance of the disbelievers which exposed her to great danger.
His grandfather (His mother's father) was Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, the first man to embrace Islam, the closest and most loved companion of our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him and his only companion during his emigration to Medina. He was also the first of the righteous Caliphs.
His grandmother (His father's mother) was safiyyah bint Abdul Muttalib, the parental aunt of our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, one of the first to embrace Islam. She immigrated to Medina where she participated in the battles of Uhud and Alkhandaq (The trench).
His parental aunt was Mother of the believers, Khadija , may Allah be pleased with her, the wife of our noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the first to embrace Islam and the biggest supporter of the Messenger of Allah.
His Maternal aunt was Mother of the believers Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her.
His birth:
When the Muslims immigrated to Medina, the Jews spread a rumor that they bewitched Muslims so they would never have children born in Medina. Days passed and there were no births among the Muslims until Asmaa gave birth to Abdullah at Quba in Madina.
Muslims were extremely happy as his birth proved that the allegations of the Jews were false. His grandfather Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, took him to our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who asked for a date. He chewed the date then put it in Abdullah's mouth so the first thing to enter his stomach is the Prophet's saliva. The Messenger of Allah named him Abdullah and his grandfather Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, went all around Medina with him wrapped in a cloth to announce his birth.
His upbringing
Abdullah was close to our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, this is because Mother of the believers Aisha, his maternal aunt may Allah be pleased with her, loved him so much that she was known as mother of Abdullah. It was reported on the authority of Urwah, may Allah be pleased with him: "Aisha did not love anyone after the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him and Abu Bakr As-siddiq as she did ibn Al-Zubair, and I have not seen my father and Aisha supplicating for anyone as they did for Ibn Al-zubair" (from Al-Bidayah wa Al-Nehaya, vol. 8)
The warrior:
He attended the battle of the trench when he was only five. He participated in the battle of Yarmuk when he was thirteen and his father Az-Zubair ordered two two of his slaves to keep him in the camp because he was still young.
He did not exceed the age of 27, during the conquests of Africa, Spain, and Constantinople, when he proved to be one of the great heroes. That happened, in particular, during the Battle of ifriiqiyah (Tunisia) when 20,000 Muslim soldiers confronted an army of 120,000.
The battle was in progress and the Muslims encountered a real danger. `Abd Allah took a look at the enemy's army and soon realized the source of their strength. It was the leader, the Berber king, who effectively encouraged his soldiers, pushing them towards death. `Abd Allah knew that the battle's outcome depended primarily on the death of their stubborn leader. But how was he going to reach him? He had first to pass through a great and fiercely fighting army. However, `Abd Allah's courage and bravery were not ever subject to question. He called his companions and said, "Protect my back, attack with me." Like a flying arrow he forced his way towards the leader, bursting through fighting warriors. When he reached him, he struck him dead. Immediately the leader fell down motionless. Then he turned towards those who surrounded their king and leader, killing them all. "Allahu Akbar" was then to be heard. The Muslims soon saw their standard lifted on the same spot where the Berber leader had commanded his soldiers. They realized that victory had almost been achieved. They strengthened their force and soon everything was over in favor of the Muslims. The leader of the Muslim army, Abd Allah Ibn Abi Sarh was told about the great role `Abd Allah Ibn Az-Zubair had played. He rewarded him with the honor of personally carrying the news of victory to Al Madiinah and to the Caliph `Uthmaan Ibn `Affaan.
His Piety:
His family, his youth, his position and its eminence, his wealth, his strength, nothing of that sort could hinder `Abd Allah from being an admirable God-fearing worshiper, fasting all day long while praying all night.
Umar Ibn `Abd Al-'Aziiz once asked Ibn Abi Mulaikah to describe `Abd Allah, so he said, "By Allah, I've never see a soul similar to his. When he began his prayer, he left everything behind. He bowed down and prostrated for such a long period that birds stood on his back considering him a wall or a gown thrown away. Once a projectile passed between his beard and chest while praying. By Allah, he did not feel it nor was he shaken by it. He did not stop his recitation nor hurry his bowing."
His fasting, his prayer, his pilgrimage, his noble soul, his continuous fear of Allah, his close relation to Allah, his being a devoted worshiper and a fasting fighter throughout his life were all in him like interwoven threads.
Ibn `Abbaas described `Abd Allah in the following words: "He was a reciter of the Qur'aan, a follower of the Sunnah, submissive to Allah, a God-fearing faster, son of the Prophet's disciple. His mother was As-siddiq's daughter, his aunt Aa'ishah the Prophet's wife; his rank can only be ignored by the blind."
It was reported on the authority of Uthman Bin Talhah, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: "Ibn Az-zubair was without equal in three things: courage, worship and eloquence"
His Bravery:
Ever since his early childhood Abdullah showed signs of bravery and leadership. For example Abdullah came to our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, at the age of seven to give his pledge of allegiance when our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw him he smiled and accepted his pledge.
When he was playing with his friends, Umar Ibn ElKhattab, may Allah be pleased with him, passed by them. All the boys ran quickly for there was something awe-inspiring in Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, except Abdullah who remained in his place. Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, asked him why he didn't flee like the rest of the boys Abdullah replied: "oh, commander of the faithful, I haven't committed any sin and the road is not narrow that I should make room for you".
His eloquence:
Abdullah was eloquent and had a strong memory. He memorized the words of the Prophet since the time he was an adolescent and transmitted lots of hadiths (sayings of the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him).
During the era of Uthman Ibn Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, when the Muslims conquered the Berber, the news of the victory were conveyed to Uthman by Abdullah. Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, asked to convey this to the people so he ascended the pulpit and gave a sermon describing the battle to the Muslims in Medina. Among those present was his father who later after his son finished the sermon told him:"By Allah, it is as if I was listening to the sermon of Abu Bakr Alsiddiq when I heard your sermon my son"
His loyalty:
When some rebels conspired against the righteous caliph Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, some young men from among the sons of the companions, may Allah be pleased with them, defended Uthman, one of them was Abdullah. Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, adjured them not to fight. When the rebels surrounded his house Abdullah was there and when they climbed the walls Abdullah defended Uthman desperately suffering more than ten injuries in the process.
Abdullah and the Caliphate:
Ibn al-Zubayr was not active in politics during the reign of Muawiyah I, but upon the ascension of his son Yazid, he refused to swear allegiance to the new caliph.
His resistance against Mu'aawiyah and Yaziid was an extraordinary legend of bravery. He considered Yaziid Ibn Mu'aawiyah Ibn Abi Sufyaan the most unqualified person to rule the Muslim community. That was true. Yaziid was totally corrupt. He did not possess one single virtue which would forgive his crimes and evils which have been narrated by history.
How was it possible for Ibn Az-Zubair to swear the oath of allegiance to him? He strongly refused to do so while Mu'aawiyah was alive and more so when Yaziid became caliph. Yaziid sent someone to threaten him. He, however, said, "I'm not going to swear the oath of allegiance to a drunkard."
During his dispute and wars with Bani Umaiyah (the Ommiads), Al-Husain Ibn Numair, the leader of the army sent by Yazild to suppress Ibn Az-Zubair's revolt, went to visit Abd Allah Ibn Az-Zubair in Makkah after the news reached there that Yaziid had died. Al-Husain offered Abd Allah to go with him to Syria where he would use his power to force people to swear the oath of allegiance to Ibn Az-Zubair.
However, Ibn Az-Zubair refused this golden chance because he was totally convinced of the necessity to take revenge on the Syrian army for the terrible crimes committed while marching on the Prophet's Madiinah to satisfy the Ommiads' greed.
We may differ with `Abd Allah, wishing he would have preferred peace and forgiveness by responding to a rare chance offered by Al-Husain, Yaziid's leader. Nevertheless, the man's position in favor of his conviction and faith, rejecting lies and tricks, deserves respect and admiration.
Al-Hajaaj attacked with his army, besieging him and his followers. At that time, among Abd Allah's warriors was a group of very skillful Abyssinian spearmen and warriors. Abd Allah heard them talking about the late Caliph Uthmaan, May Allah be pleased with him. Their conversation lacked all forms of justice and fairness. Abd Allah reprimanded them severely saying, "By Allah, I don't like to defeat my enemy with the help of someone hating Uthmaan." He sent them away at a very critical time in which he needed help so desperately, like a drowning man seeking hope.
His sincerity and honesty in faith and principles made him indifferent to the loss of 200 of his most skillful spearmen, the faith of whom he could no longer trust. All that despite the fierce decisive battle which stood in front of him, the outcome of which could have been different if those spearmen had remained.
Ibn Az-Zubair became Commander of the Faithful with Holy Makkah as his capital after the death of Yazid (64 Hijri, 648 AC), extending his rule over Hejaz, Yemen, Basra, Kufa, Khurasan, and Syria except Damascus. The inhabitants of all these provinces swore the oath of allegiance to him. But the Ommiads were not satisfied. Restless, they waged continuous wars, most of which ended in their defeat. Nothing changed until `Abd Al Maalik Ibn Marwaan ordered one of the most harsh, criminal, cruel, and merciless human beings to attack `Abd Allah in Makkah. This was Al-Hajaaj Ath-Thaqafiy, who was described by `Umar Ibn Abd Al-'Aziiz: "If all nations were to weigh together their sins, and we came with Al Hajaaj only, the balance would sway to our part."
Al-Hajaaj personally led his army to invade Makkah, Ibn Az Zubair's capital. He besieged it nearly six months, preventing the provision of water and food to force people to abandon Abd Allah. Under the severe pressure of hunger, a large number of fighters surrendered and Abd Allah found himself almost alone. Although chances to save his life and soul were still available, he decided to carry out his responsibilities to the very end. He went on fighting with legendary courage, although he was 70 years old at that time.
We will only grasp the full image of that situation if we listen to the conversation which took place between Abd Allah and his mother, the great and noble Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr, a short while before his death.
He went to her presenting the whole situation and what seemed to be his destiny. Asmaa' told him, " My son, you know yourself better than anyone else. If you know that you are adhering to the truth and calling to it, then be patient till you die for its sake and don't let the boys of Bani Umaiyah reach your neck. But if life in this world has been your main concern, then you're a wretched son, destroying yourself and those killed on your side." Abd Allah said, "By Allah, mother, I've never sought life in this world, nor did I submit myself to it. I've never ruled with injustice, treated anyone unfairly, or betrayed anyone." His mother Asmaa' said, "I hope I will receive good consolation if you precede me to Paradise or I precede you. May Allah have mercy for your long prayers at night, your fasting during hot days and your reverent treatment of me and your father. Allah, I've handed over my son to Your fate; I will be pleased with Your destiny. Reward me for sacrificing my son as You reward thankful and patient believers."
They embraced each other and exchanged a farewell look. After one hour of fierce, unparalleled battle, the martyr received a deadly stroke. Al-Hajaaj, cruel, cunning, and deceiving as he was, insisted on crucifying the lifeless body.
Abd Allah's mother, who was on that day 97 years old, went to see her crucified son. Like a high towering mountain, his mother stood in front of him when Al-Hajaaj approached with shame and humiliation and said, "O Mother, the Commander of the Faithful Abd Al-Maalik Ibn Marwaan has recommended me to treat you well. Do you need anything?" She shouted, "I'm not your mother. I'm the mother of that one crucified on the cross. I don't need you. But I'm going to tell you a hadith which I heard from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He said, "He will emerge from Thaqiif, a liar and a vicious one." We have already seen the liar and the vicious one. I don't think he's anyone else but you." Abd Allah Ibn Umar approached to console her and asked Allah to grant her patience. She replied, "What hinders me from being patient? Wasn't the head of Yahyaa (John) Ibn Zakariyaa granted to an Israelite harlot?"
How great she was, daughter of As-siddiiq. Are there more eloquent words to be directed at those who cut Abd Allah's head off his body before crucifying him? If Abd Allah's head had been handed over as a present to Al Hajaaj and `Abd Al-Maalik, the head of a great Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Yahyaa Ibn Zakariya had been granted to Salome, a miserable Israelite harlot. What a magnificent comparison! What truthful words!
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