Who Was Abdullah ibn Zubair?

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما

The Arrival of the Child: Whilst the fortunate ones were engaged in illuminating their destinies and amassing the treasure of faith upon the arrival of the Mercy to both worlds صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, in Madinah, on the other hand, the wretched individuals and the unfortunate Jews were making it a source of grief, anger, jealousy, and malice. During this time, a rumour began to circulate that the Jews had cast a spell on those arriving from Makkah so that they would have no offspring and their lineage would thus come to an end.

However, the believers remained steadfast in seeking the pleasure of Allah Almighty and His Messenger صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, whilst each passing day became a source of joy for the Jews. This continued until days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Children were born into the homes of the Anṣār companions, but not a single child arrived in the homes of the Muhājir companions. Finally, in the eighth month—or according to some narrations, the twentieth month—of Shawwāl al-Mukarram, a moment of joy arrived, and a delightful child was born into the home of a Muhājir companion رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ.

As soon as the noble father and respected grandfather broke this joyful news to the Muhājir and Anṣār, everyone was overjoyed. All at once, the takbīr (Nara-e-Takbeer) resounded, echoing throughout Madinah, leaving the Jews utterly humiliated and empty-handed.

Before the child was given his mother's milk, he was presented to the court of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. The Noble Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, commanded that the adhan be called in the child's ear. He then called for a date, chewed it, and placed it into the child's mouth as taḥnīk.

The blessed child began to suck on it. Thus, the very first thing to enter the stomach of this child was the blessed saliva of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. Following this, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم proposed the name 'ꜤAbdullāh' for the child.^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! This child, who brought immense joy to the homes of the Muhājirīn and Anṣār, was the grandson of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq, the grandson of Sayyidatunā Ṣafiyyah bint ꜤAbd al-Muṭṭalib, the nephew of the Mother of the Believers Sayyidatunā ꜤĀˈisha al-Ṣiddīqah, the illustrious son of Sayyidunā Zubair b. ꜤAwām and Sayyidatunā Asmāˈ bint Abū Bakr رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُم. He is a well-known companion of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم, Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما.^[2]

Why Did You Not Step Back? (An Account):

During his childhood, he [Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair] was playing with children of his own age when Sayyidunā ꜤUmar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ happened to pass by. The other children moved back in fear, but he remained standing in his place. Seeing this, Sayyidunā ꜤUmar رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ asked in astonishment, "Why did you not step back with the other children?"

He replied, "I am neither a criminal to fear you nor am I blocking the path that I should have to step back."^[3]

Salah with Complete Humility and Devotion (An Account):

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما used to offer his salah with utmost concentration, humility, and devotion. Once, while he was praying, his young child was nearby when suddenly a snake fell from the ceiling near the child. People raised an alarm, shouting "Snake! Snake!" and eventually killed it. Despite all this commotion, he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ continued praying in the exact same manner.^[4]

When he went into prostration (sajdah), he would prolong it for so long that birds would mistake his back for a part of a broken wall and sit on it.^[5]

Different Styles of Nightly Worship:

He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ had divided his nights into three distinct forms of worship: one night he would remain standing in prayer until dawn broke; another night he would spend entirely in the bowing position (rukūꜤ) until the white light of morning appeared; and another night he would spend completely in prostration (sajdah) until the break of dawn.^[6]

The Pigeon of the Mosque:

When someone enquired about him from his noble mother, Sayyidatunā Asmāˈ رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا, she replied, "Most of my son's nights were spent standing in prayer, whilst his days were spent fasting." Because of this, he came to be known as Ḥamāmah al-Masjid (meaning 'The Pigeon of the Mosque').^[7]

Completing the Tawaf by Swimming:

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما would never let any opportunity to worship and please his Lord Almighty slip away, even when others found it impossible. On one occasion, heavy dark clouds gathered over Makkah and it rained profusely. Rainwater rushed down from the mountains and accumulated around the KaꜤba, making it difficult for people to walk or perform the Ṭawāf. At that moment, he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ began to swim and completed his ṭawāf by swimming.^[8]

Silk Cover for the Holy KaꜤba:

In the early days of Islam, the KaꜤba used to be shrouded with a leather covering. However, out of deep reverence for the KaꜤba, he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ initiated a wonderful new practice by adorning it with a silk cover. Similarly, he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ would apply fine fragrance to the KaꜤba, so much so that the entire surroundings of the Sanctuary (Ḥaram) became beautifully scented.^[9]

An Eloquent and Articulate Orator:

He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ was highly eloquent and articulate, which is why he was counted among the prominent orators of the Quraish tribe. His voice was thunderous and powerful, so much so that when he delivered a sermon and his voice echoed off the mountains, it sounded as if the mountains themselves were conversing with one another.

He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ  used to apply a yellow dye to his blessed beard, and his hair (Zulfayn) hung down past his ears, touching his neck.^[10]

Refusal to Pledge Allegiance to Yazīd:

Sayyidunā ꜤAbdullāh b. Zubair رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهُما was one who spoke the truth, fought for justice, and was an unparalleled swordsman. Consequently, when Yazīd demanded the pledge of allegiance (bay'ah) from him, he threw his letter away and stated, "I will not show even the slightest leniency in fulfilling an unjust demand."^[11]

His Caliphate and Martyrdom:

In 64 AH, he رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ  announced his Caliphate, and later, his rule was established over all regions except Syria. In the year 73 AH, ꜤAbd al-Malik b. Marwān assumed power, announced his own rule, and dispatched the tyrannical Umayyad governor, Ḥajjāj b. Yūsuf, towards Makkah as the commander of an army.

Upon reaching Makkah, Ḥajjāj climbed the mountain named "Abū Qubais" and ordered a catapult to be set up. Using this catapult, he rained stones upon him and his companions. He رَضِىَ اللّٰهُ عَـنْهُ fought back valiantly against the forces of this tyrant.

His companions climbed onto rooftops and began throwing bricks at the enemy. During this conflict, a stone thrown by the enemy struck his head. Unable to bear the severity of the wound, he fell to the ground. The enemy advanced and martyred him.^[12] This event took place on the 17th of Jumādā al-Ūlā, 73 AH.^[13]