Discover the heroic life of Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām, the Prophet’s ﷺ Hawari, a warrior of Islam, and one of the ten promised Jannah. A story of faith, courage & sacrifice.
Among the earliest Muslims and the most distinguished of the Prophet’s ﷺ companions was Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām. He was one of the ten promised Jannah, a warrior of Islam, and a man of immense courage, loyalty, and sacrifice. His story is not just of battles and bravery but of unwavering faith, a deep connection to the Prophet ﷺ, and a legacy that continues to inspire.
What makes Az-Zubayr truly exceptional is not just his status as one of the Asharah Mubashsharah (the ten companions promised Paradise), but his deep personal and familial ties to the Prophet ﷺ. His mother was Safiyyah bint ‘Abd al-Muttalib, the aunt of the Prophet ﷺ, making him the cousin of the Messenger of Allah. His wife was Asmaa bint Abi Bakr, the daughter of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, and his son was the noble companion, ‘Abdullah ibn Zubayr.
Through his life, Az-Zubayr demonstrated what it means to live and die for the sake of Allah, proving that true greatness lies in sacrifice, sincerity, and steadfastness.
The Early Days: One of the First Converts
Az-Zubayr was among the earliest to embrace Islam, having been brought into the faith by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه, alongside other great names such as ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan, Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydillah, ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Awf, and Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas. This act alone shows the immense impact of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, as he was responsible for the Islam of some of the greatest companions.
The Prophet ﷺ himself recognized Az-Zubayr’s place in Islam and his importance in the Muslim Ummah. On multiple occasions, he ﷺ praised him, and even named him as his Hawari (close disciple):
إنَّ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ حَوَارِيًا، وَحَوَارِيِّ الزُّبَيْرُ بِنْ العَوَّام
“Every Prophet has a Hawari (disciple), and my Hawari is Az-Zubayr.” (Bukhari: 3719)
The Warrior of Islam: The First Horseman in Battle
Az-Zubayr was known for his unmatched courage in battle. He was the first to ever mount a horse in battle for Islam, showing his bravery when many hesitated.
At the Battle of Badr, Az-Zubayr was seen wearing a yellow turban. This was significant because Jibreel عليه السلام and the angels descended in the same form, resembling his attire. Abu Ja‘far al-Baqir said:
كانت على الزبير يوم بدر عمامة صفراء، فنزلت الملائكة كذلك
“On the day of Badr, Az-Zubayr wore a yellow turban, and the angels descended in the same way.” (Tārīkh al-Islām: 3/103)
This was a divine honour for a man who was at the forefront of every battle fought for Islam.
At the Battle of Uhud, when the Mushrikeen (polytheists) retreated, the Prophet ﷺ feared they might return for another attack. To assess the situation, he asked:
"Who will follow them and confirm if they have truly left?"
Az-Zubayr and Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه volunteered, leading seventy men to track the enemy. The Qur’an later confirmed their bravery:
الَّذِينَ اسْتَجَابُوا لِلَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا أَصَابَهُمُ الْقَرْحُ
“Those who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them.” (Surah Aal-‘Imran: 172) (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 4077)
Az-Zubayr’s wounds from battle were a testimony to his dedication. His son, ‘Urwah ibn Zubayr, narrated:
كان في صدره أمثال العيون من الطعن والرمي
“His chest had scars like eyes from wounds and spears.” (Siyar A'lām al-Nubalā: 1/52)
This was a man who bore the marks of jihad until his last breath.
The Battle of the Trench: Az-Zubayr's Loyalty
During the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq), the Prophet ﷺ needed someone to gather intelligence on the Jewish tribe of Banu Qurayza. The mission was dangerous, but Az-Zubayr did not hesitate. He volunteered three times and returned each time with critical information.
Seeing this unwavering courage, the Prophet ﷺ declared:
إنَّ لِكُلِّ نَبِيٍّ حَوَارِيً وَإنَّ وَحَوَارِيَّ الزُّبَيْرُ
“Every Prophet has a Hawari (disciple), and my Hawari is Az-Zubayr.” (Bukhari: 4113)
Such an honour was only given to a man of absolute trust and devotion.
A Man of Wealth Yet Detached from the Dunya
Despite his success in trade, Az-Zubayr was detached from wealth. He had over 1,000 slaves, yet he would not take any of their earnings for himself. Instead, he spent everything in the path of Allah, supporting:
- The needy
- The orphans
- The widows
- The warriors in jihad
Juweriyah Bint Asma narrated that he once sold a property for 600,000 dirhams. When people told him he was at a loss, he replied:
كلا هي في سبيل الله
“Nay, All of it is for the sake of Allah.” (Siyar A'lām al-Nubalā: 3/42)
Such was the generosity of Az-Zubayr, a man whose heart was filled with love for akhira rather than dunya.
His Martyrdom: The End of a Warrior’s Journey
During the fitnah (civil war) in the year 36 AH, Az-Zubayr withdrew from the battlefield, realizing that fighting was not in the best interest of the Ummah. However, he was betrayed and assassinated while in prayer.
Before his death, he was asked about his sword, and he mentioned that it had a mark from the Battle of Badr. It was a sword that had struck the enemies of Islam in every battle alongside the Prophet ﷺ.
The great warrior of Islam, the Hawari of the Prophet ﷺ, was laid to rest at the age of 64.
Conclusion: A Life of Sacrifice, A Death of Honour
Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām was a true warrior of Islam, a man who fought in every major battle, a companion whom the angels resembled, and a man who was so close to the Prophet ﷺ that he was declared his Hawari.
His life is a reminder that greatness lies in service to Allah, in sacrifice for truth, and in standing firm in the face of adversity. His martyrdom was not a loss but a victory, as he returned to the promise of Jannah given to him by the Prophet ﷺ.
May Allah be pleased with Az-Zubayr ibn al-‘Awwām and grant us the strength to follow in the footsteps of the greatest generation.
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