Who was Abdullah ibn al-Zubair?
This blog is going to talk about the life story of Abdullah ibn al-Zaubair ibn al-Awwam. Abdullah was born into a good family and lineage. Isalmic studies state that his father was al-Zubair ibn al-Awwam, one of the ten promised companions to be admitted into paradise. Abdullah and Ali ibn Abi Talib were born in the same year. They both embraced Islam together, just after Abu Bakr did. Abdullah made the two migrations, to Abyssinia and to al Madina. He was the first Muslim to use his sword in Islam. Abdullah also took part in all battles of prophet Mohammad who said that “Every prophet had a close companion, and mine is Abdullah ibn Al-Zubair.”
The migrant embryo:
Studing the Holy Quran and Islamic studies teach us that Prophet Mohammad migrated from Makkah to Madina. Abdullah ibn al-Zubair’s parents were still in Makkah. Asmaa got pregnant with her baby, Abdullah. Then she migrated in her ninth and last month of pregnancy. As soon as Asmaa arrived at Qubaa, she gave birth to her baby boy. Abdullah was the first immigrant baby to be born in al-Madina. The Jews claimed that the migrants would never have any children in al-Madina. So the birth of Abdullah ibn al-Zubair was a great victory for Muslims over the lies of the Jews. Abdullah was a sign of the prosperous future for muslims.
Abdulla’s young eloquent leader:
Since his early age, Abdullah was eloquent. When he gave a speech, the mountains echoed his words. One day, Abdullah was playing with the kids when he talked to Omar who admired the boy’s style of speech. Abdullah was eager to be a leader. Abdullah refused Muawiyah passing the rule to his son and led a revolution against Muawiah. He formed a political party with the sons of the prophet’s companions. However, al-Husain ibn Ali preferred peaceful solutions and left the rule to Muawiyah. Nevertheless, Abdullah insisted on his stand and became a caliph for the Muslims in the city of makkah.
The worship, Jihad and asceticism of ibn al-Zubair:
Abdullah ibn al-Zubair was pious and ascetic. He used to pray day and night and went fasting a lot. He was called the pigeon of the mosque. Ibn al-Zubair was a matchless knight and hero. From birth till death, he was a brave warrior. He took part in the battle of the Trench when he was only five years old. When he was thirteen years old, he took part in the al-Yarmouk battle, the conquest of North Africa, Andalous and Constantinople. At that time, he was only twenty- seven. He gave a lot of examples of real bravery and heroism.
The downfall of ibn al-Zubair:
The rule of ibn al-Zubair was unstable because of a lot of disagreements and the struggle over power. The Umayyads assumed power in Syria. Only al-Hijaz and Iraq were under his rule. Abdel-Malik ibn Marawan marched an army who defeated ibn al-Zubair in Iraq. After controlling Iraq, the Umayyads decided to uproot his rule from al-Hijaz. He attempted a lot of times, but was unsuccessful. Eventually, Abdel-Malik sent al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf al-Thaqafi who imposed a siege on Makkah. He started shelling Makkah using catapults. Meanwhile, he began to tempt his followers who abandoned ibn al-Zubair.
Ibn al-Zubair and his mother:
When Abdullah felt that it was the end, he went to his mother, Asmaa bint Abi Bakr. His wise mother told him that if he thought he was right, he should have insisted on his stand. If he thought that he only had wanted worldly power, he would have ruined himself. Abdullah kissed his mother’s head. He added that he would be killed that day. Asmaa forgave him and made dua for her son. He decided to fight till the end. Eventually he died while he was fighting. Abdullah ibn al-Zubair died in the year seventy-three H., aged seventy- three.
