Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam: Fearless pillar of devotion
Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam was a prominent figure among the early companions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). His full name was Al-Zubayr ibn Al-Awwam ibn Khuwaylid ibn Asad ibn Abd al-Uzza ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab of the Quraysh tribe, specifically the Asad clan.
He was a cousin and a close companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)—one of the ten companions who were promised paradise while still living.
He was the seventh person to embrace Islam at the age of 15. His mother, Safiyyah bint Abd al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with her, used to be stern with him during his childhood, at times disciplining him with harshness. This behaviour raised eyebrows among people, who assumed she did not love him. She clarified that her actions were intended to make him resilient and grow up to be a strong and valiant warrior, capable of defeating enemies and bringing back the spoils of war.
Al-Zubayr was raised in the household of Arqam, and one of the early incidents that demonstrated his remarkable character was when he heard a rumour that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had been killed. He immediately unsheathed his sword and set out to confirm the news. He vowed to kill the perpetrator if the news was true, even if it turned out to be the entire Quraysh tribe. While on his way, he unexpectedly encountered the Prophet, who, upon learning of Al-Zubair’s mission, prayed for his well-being and success or the victory of his sword.
Al-Zubair had a role in nearly every battle. For instance, after the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him) entrusted him and Abu Bakr with the leadership of a battalion of seventy men to pursue the victorious Quraysh forces. They managed to create the impression that they were a powerful vanguard of the Muslim army. This caused the Quraysh forces to hastily retreat to Makkah, realising that they hadn’t weakened the strength of the Muslims.
One of his remarkable feats was during the battle of Yarmouk when he noticed a sense of weariness among some of the Muslims who were facing an overwhelming Byzantine army. Al-Zubayr, in response, shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) and charged at the enemy forces with fierce determination, breaking through their ranks, which were like an unending sea. He then returned victorious to his fellow Muslims, greatly lifting their spirits.
To further illustrate his bravery, courage, and military competence, when Amr ibn al-As requested three thousand reinforcements for the conquest of Egypt, Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab sent him just three men. He informed Amr that each of them was worth a thousand men. These three were Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Al-Miqdad ibn Amr, and Ubada ibn as-Samit. Al-Zubayr was placed at the forefront of the army because they would not flee, and their presence would encourage the other soldiers.
When Uthman ibn Affan fell ill during his caliphate and was unable to perform the Hajj pilgrimage, he was advised to appoint Al-Zubayr to lead the Muslims. Previously, his name was among the six people that Umar ibn al-Khattab listed as potential successors. Uthman, however, responded, “By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, I don’t know if he is the best among them, but he was certainly the most beloved to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.”.
